6 Feb 2013 15:53

Rights activists file claim about law on "foreign agents" with European Court

MOSCOW. Feb 6 (Interfax) - A group of leading Russian NGOs filed a claim on Wednesday with the European Court of Human Rights contesting the law on NGOs classified as "foreign agents," Oleg Orlov, a top official with the Memorial human rights center, told Interfax.

"We allege that the law violates Articles 10, 11, 14, 18 of the European Convention of Human Rights. We believe the law breaches all of these articles," Orlov said.

Orlov said the claim was filed by 11 NGOs, including Memorial, the Moscow Helsinki Group and Civic Assistance Committee.

The law, which has taken effect in Russia, requires NGOs receiving funding from abroad to register as foreign agents.