Putin Says Controversial NGO Bill 'Necessary in Fight against Terrorism'

Russian President Vladimir Putin defended the controversial bill on nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) on Monday, saying that the bill is ''necessary in the fight against terrorism.''

By Michelle A. Vu, Christian Post Reporter Tuesday, December 06, 2005

Russian President Vladimir Putin defended the controversial bill on nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) on Monday, saying that the bill is “necessary in the fight against terrorism.”

"This bill is necessary to ensure the security of our political system from outside interference, to defend our society and citizens from the spread of terrorist and hateful ideologies," Putin told the Cabinet, according to Interfax – a news and information company about Russia and countries of the former Soviet Union.

The bill that was passed in the State Duma last month requires all 450,000 civic groups in Russia to re-register with the Justice Ministry and places greater restrictions on foreign NGOs including greater state control of their activities and finances. Also, foreign NGOs have to re-register as a Russian local organization through a complex and costly process requiring more than one year of continuous residency. Moreover, the bill allows authorities to deny registration of NGOs whose founders include those suspected of money laundering or assisting terrorism, explained The Moscow Times.

In response to the bill, many foreign NGOs have expressed that they might be forced to close their Russian branches if the bill passes to law.

However, the Russian President did express willingness to change the bill to more moderate terms, nothing that his government should consider the concerns of the Council of Europe and the Public Chamber.

“It's absolutely evident that Russia's main asset is its democratic process and the achievements of our civil society," he said. "We can't allow ourselves to throw the baby out with the bath water."

According to The Moscow Times, the president told his chief of staff, Sergei Sobyanin, to draft the amendments by Friday.

Among the NGOs affected by the new bill will be Christian NGOs with branch offices and service projects in Russia including: World Vision International, Salvation Army International, Buckner Baptist Benevolences, Operation Blessing, and Samaritan’s Purse.