
PRESS RELEASE
Civil society
in danger: 77 NGOs suspended in
“We are deeply concerned by the government’s refusal to register these
NGOs,” said CIVICUS Secretary General,
Under a controversial NGO law adopted earlier this year, criticised by
CIVICUS and other local and international groups, all foreign NGOs in
Government
officials reportedly claim those NGOs which were denied registration failed to
submit their applications on time, or completed them incorrectly. Many
international and local NGOs, however, fear that the new NGO law is being used
to crack down on critics.
In
a statement issued earlier this year, CIVICUS noted with concern that the new
NGO law gives the authorities excessive power to deny registration to those
groups whose missions threaten the “sovereignty, political
independence, territorial integrity, national unity, unique character, cultural
heritage and national interests” of Russia. “These vague provisions,” wrote
CIVICUS, “are left dangerously open to the discretion of individual officials
and, in addition, do not meet standards set out by the European Convention on Human
Rights” regarding the right to associate.
The
rejection of NGO registrations follows in the wake of the recent disturbing closure
of the Russian-Chechen Friendship Society, a vocal human rights organisation,
and the murder of critical journalist Anna Politkovskaya.
“The
past couple of weeks in Russia have seen an onslaught of violations of the freedoms
of expression and association,” said Naidoo. “We appeal to the Russian
government to act decisively to ensure these organisations do not remain in
limbo, and are granted registration without further delay. As a regional
leader,
For
more information, please contact CIVICUS at cswatch@civicus.org
or by telephone at +27 11 833 5959 ext. 127/126; or mobile, +27 722363260 or +27 824036040. For details on CIVICUS, visit www.civicus.org or www.civilsocietywatch.org.