Russia streamlines process of recognizing foreign organizations as "undesirable"

The State Duma in Russia has passed at final reading draft laws that allow any organizations whose founders are government bodies of third countries to be recognized as "undesirable".

This is reported by Radio Liberty, Ukrinform saw.

In February, the said draft laws were tabled in the Duma Commission investigating foreign interference. Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin said the amendments to the legislation are needed to "protect citizens" from organizations created by the USA, UK, and European countries that “conduct activities against Russia.”

It is not specified which organizations are in question. The document does not apply to international intergovernmental organizations of which Russia is member and organizations included in the structure of foreign governments.

As reported, the list of so-called undesirable organizations has existed in Russia since 2015. The authorities included almost 180 non-commercial organizations, associations, and media outlets. Participation in such organizations is a criminal offense in Russia.