The Russian law on “foreign agents” has been tightened again, allowing criminal prosecution after a single administrative fine. Previously, a criminal case could be preceded by two administrative violations. This is by no means the first and probably not the last amendment to this controversial law, reports The Moscow Times.
The increasingly strict requirements have led to the closure of many independent media organizations and important NGOs, including Nasiliu.net, the main support center for victims of domestic violence in Russia.
“The law on ‘foreign agents’ has gradually deprived us of more than just simple resources,” declared its founder, Anna Rivina. “First, we were forbidden to organize events. Then, to engage in educational activities. More and more people were afraid to approach us, more and more services refused to help us, blocking victims’ access to support. The circle around our future has narrowed, narrowed, narrowed – until there was no space left for work.”
In September, Nasiliu.net was deprived of donations from Russia. The growing power of the law increased the pressure on the organization until it was ultimately strangled. The laws against “foreign agents” were introduced into Russian legislation at the end of 2012, still within the Law on non-profit organizations. At that time, two criteria for foreign agents were formulated: receiving money from abroad and involvement in “political activities”.
However, these criteria have been interpreted so broadly that any public activity falls under their incidence.
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