Global InformationRussian foreign agent law information
 | This article needs to be updated. The reason given is: https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2022/07/14/putin-signs-expanded-foreign-agents-law-a78298. (July 2022) |
| Foreign agent law | |
|---|---|
Long title
| |
| Citation | 121-FZ |
| Enacted | 20 July 2012 |
| Commenced | 21 November 2012 |
| Legislative history | |
| Bill title | 102766-6 |
The Russian foreign agent law[a] requires anyone who receives support from outside Russia or is under influence from outside Russia to register and declare themselves as foreign agents.[1] Once registered, they are subject to additional audits and are obliged to mark all their publications with a 24-word disclaimer saying that they are being distributed by a "foreign agent".[2] The phrase "foreign agent" (Russian: иностранный агент) in Russian has strong associations with Cold War-era espionage. The law has been heavily criticized both in Russia and internationally as violating human rights, and as a tool used to suppress civil society and press freedom within Russia, particularly groups opposed to Vladimir Putin.[3][4][5][6]
The law was implemented in response to protests against Vladimir Putin's return to the presidency in the 2012 presidential election, and was designed to constrain independent NGOs.[7] The bill was introduced in July 2012 by legislators from the governing United Russia party and signed into law by Putin on 20 July 2012.[8] The new legislation consisted of a series of amendments to the criminal code and the laws "On Public Associations", "On Noncommercial Organizations", and "On Combating Money Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism".[9] The law went into effect in November 2012, and was actively enforced by the Federal Security Service from February 2013.[10][11][12] Its supporters initially likened it to United States legislation on lobbyists employed by foreign governments.[13] Since its introduction, the scope of the law has been progressively expanded.[14]
At first, the law applied to NGOs receiving funds from abroad that engaged in "political activity". The "foreign agent" designation was first imposed against media organisations in 2017.[15] In December 2019, Putin signed an expansion of the legislation to include private individuals or groups receiving any amount of foreign funding which published "printed, audio, audio visual or other reports and materials".[16] In September 2021, the law was expanded to include Russian citizens who report or share information on crime, corruption or other problems related to the military, space and security services or their employees.[17][18]
Cite error: There are <ref group=lower-alpha> tags or {{efn}} templates on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist|group=lower-alpha}} template or {{notelist}} template (see the help page).
- ^ "Putin Signs Expanded 'Foreign Agents' Law". The Moscow Times. 2022-07-14. Retrieved 2022-07-14.
- ^ "Russia fines investigative website for breaking 'foreign agent' law". Reuters. 2021-12-14. Retrieved 2021-12-31.
- ^ Lally, Kathy (2013-04-18). "Putin pushes NGO foreign agent law". Washington Post. Archived from the original on 2013-04-26. Retrieved 2013-06-01.
- ^ Barry, Ellen (2012-07-02). "Russia Introduces Law Limiting Aid for Nonprofits". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2013-06-01.
- ^ "Russian MPs pass controversial bill to label NGOs 'foreign agents'". FRANCE 24. 13 July 2012. Retrieved 2013-06-01.
- ^ "Russian Authorities Plan To Introduce Registry Of People Linked To 'Foreign Agents'". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. 9 March 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
- ^ Seddon, Max (29 April 2021). "Meduza feels force of Kremlin's media crackdown". Financial Times. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
- ^ "Автоматизированная система обеспечения законодательной деятельности (Legislation online archive)". Законопроект № 102766-6 (Draft law nr. 102766-6). Archived from the original on 2018-06-24. Retrieved 2013-06-01.
- ^ "Fact Sheet: Russian NGO Laws" (PDF). Freedom House.
- ^ Sonne, Paul (2013-03-25). "Russia Raids Amnesty International". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2013-06-01.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
guardian1was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Putin Warns Against Foreign 'Interference' at FSB Meeting". The Moscow Times. Retrieved 2013-06-01.
- ^ "Russia plans to register 'foreign agent' NGOs". The Guardian. 2 July 2012. Retrieved 3 April 2016.
- ^ Martin, Russell (March 2022). 'Foreign agents' and 'undesirables': Russian civil society in danger of extinction? (PDF) (Report). European Parliamentary Research Service. PE 729.297. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
- ^ Foy, Henry (26 May 2021). "Russia's 'foreign agent' pressure on VTimes deals blow to investors". Financial Times. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
- ^ Phalnikar, Sonia (3 February 2022). "What is Russia's foreign agent law? | DW | 03.02.2022". DW. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
- ^ Roth, Andrew (1 October 2021). "Russia extends 'foreign agents' law to critics of military and security". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
- ^ "Russia Makes Covering Military Corruption News Grounds for 'Foreign Agent' Status". The Moscow Times. 2021-10-01. Retrieved 2021-12-31.