Mironov: bill "on foreign agents" repressive
MOSCOW. July 5 (Interfax) - The Just Russia faction in the State Duma will not support the United Russia-proposed bill on "foreign agent" status for nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) at its first reading, Just Russia leader Sergei Mironov said during the Open Rostrum roundtable organized by United Russia.
"Neither the Just Russia party, nor the Just Russia faction will vote for it," he said.
The bill bestows "foreign agent" status on Russian NGOs involved in political activities and financed from abroad.
Mironov described the document as "exceedingly repressive".
"NGOs mustn't be labeled as foreign agents or enemies of the people and the state," he stressed.
"The existing legislation has enough clauses regulating the activity of NGOs and control over their finances, and all that data is fixed and published by the Justice Ministry", Mironov said.
"Often, NGOs seek help abroad not because they want to raise money for certain activity, but because no one will give money in Russia, because up to now, we have no law on charity," Mironov said.