Press release

Foreign Office concerned about increasing pressure on Russian NGOs

Foreign Office Minister for Europe David Lidington has expressed concern about increasing pressure on NGOs in Russia.

From:
Foreign & Commonwealth Office and The Rt Hon David Lidington CBE
Published
16 June 2014
This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Speaking today Mr Lidington said:

We are deeply concerned about increasing pressure on NGOs in Russia. The recent amendment to the NGO law which gives the Ministry of Justice the power to register NGOs as 鈥渇oreign agents鈥� further constrains the free operation of civil society in Russia.

The swift placement of five NGOs on the 鈥渇oreign agents鈥� register last week and the recent wave of NGO inspections appear designed to undermine the important work of NGOs. We urge the Russian authorities not to place groups advocating the protection of fundamental freedoms under special scrutiny.

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Published 16 June 2014