Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a controversial new law into power, classifying internationally funded non-governmental agencies (NGOs) as “foreign agents,” the Kremlin announced on Saturday.
Under the law, independent NGOs must disclose any funding received from abroad, or risk penalties or imprisonment.
Russian rights activists fear that they could be marginalised and considered spies as a result of the law, which was rushed through the upper and lower houses of parliament this month.
Parliament has approved two further bills this month, on internet censorship and criminalising defamation, seen by regime critics as ways of stifling opposition.
Keywords: Russian NGOs, foreign agents law
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I think India too should verify the funding NGOs receive from foreign countries. Some of the NGOs, it seems, are cover for foreign powers to meddle in the domestic affairs of as well as to spy on India.
V.M.Mohanraj
Putin has restricted access to information. This will not quench the thirst for freedom.
As long as Russians can read, see, and hear they will learn how others think and live in the
world.
The steamroller of the information age has momentum now; there is no stopping it.
Relentless efforts to do so merely add to the pent-up anger and frustration -- and Putin has
yet to see it.
He can raid homes and offices; he can arrest Russians on bogus charges; he can torture
them. But these measures only fan the flames of freedom.
Putin cannot extinguish the fires by killing the Russians in whose chest they are burning.
Nor will he find a shortage of Nathan Hales in Russia whose only regret is that they have
but one life to give for freedom in their country.
This is mandatory. India need to enact the same. West will create all
the possible trouble using any tool available to rule others.
It is hoped that India will pass such a law very soon too.
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