(ANSA) – ROME, JUL 14 – Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a new law that allows Russian authorities to brand entities and individuals with the infamous label of “foreign agent” even if they do not receive funding from abroad, the first element required for inclusion in the list of “foreign agents”. This was reported by Novaya Gazeta Europa, specifying that according to the new law, which will come into force on December 1st and is considered a new instrument of political repression, the Russian regime can brand entities and people as “foreign agents” which it defines as “under foreign influence” , which he believes receive “support from abroad”, including non-financial support, and carry out “political activity”.
The Kremlin has been using the label of “foreign agent” for years to target NGOs, independent media and opponents. Russian law currently allows the Moscow government to label organizations that receive funds from abroad and are engaged in unspecified “political activities” with the label of “foreign agent”: a rather broad definition, which effectively allows authorities to target various entities deemed “inconvenient”. The inclusion in the list of “foreign agents” imposes a strict administrative control and obliges you to present yourself with this label, which in fact forced several institutions to close.
In June, the European Court of Human Rights condemned Russia for having promulgated the law on “foreign agents” in 2012, stating that it violates the right to freedom of association and the right to freedom of expression. (HANDLE).
Source: Ansa
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