Russian parliament passes controversial NGO law

[Judi Lynn]

Russian parliament passes controversial NGO law
Dec 21, 2005, 17:29 GMT

Moscow - Russia's parliament or Duma passed Wednesday the second draft of a controversial law tightening control over non- governmental organisations, with 376 votes out of 450 parliamentarians across all fractions in favour and 10 opposed.

Civil rights activists in Russia had opposed the first, more restrictive draft which had also been sharply criticised by both the European Council the European Union.

The Russian leadership under President Vladimir Putin hopes to prevent foreign-backed, civil organisations from preparing a change of power similar to regime changes in the Ukraine or Georgia.

The law would stop financing of terrorism and extremism from abroad and intervention in domestic issues, said parliamentarian Vladimir Pilgin of the Kremlin party United Russia.

'Civil society is being controlled under the (guise) of the fight against terror and money-laundering,' said Nikita Belych, the head of the Union of Right Forces of Russia (SPS).
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