Death of Independent Civil Society in Russia

Non-governmental organizations, community organizations, civil society or not-for-profits are the backbones of democracies. Staffed or operated by volunteers, these dedicated men and women are the hallmark of a democratic society. While some officials from both sides of the aisle may discount them as nuisances, NGOs are needed to initiate and fulfill beneficial changes that help humanity and keep the powers that be from slipping into despotism.

They are regarded so valuable to civilization that the United Nations has designated them the fourth leg of its foundation and provided them with official status in its chambers. These NGOs and others not in the system constitute a diverse global community ranging from small NGOs to subsidiaries of large networks. They deal with a wide range of UN subjects and beyond, from disarmament and development to sustainability, women’s issues, poverty, education, trafficking of women and girls, migration, refugees, food security and human rights, among many others. They bring passion and conviction to their work and to those with whom they network. They keep the agenda of the ordinary citizen at the forefront of their information work thus ensuring that the message of the UN continues to be relevant to the developed world and also the poorest persons in the smallest village, wherever they may be. The good ones help governments do their jobs. In 2011, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon reaffirmed the conviction of the UN in the vital role of NGOs as actors on the international stage and as partners of nation states in promoting the development agenda: “…Governments cannot do it alone. We need support from business communities, civil societies, philanthropists, and faith leaders, and we need coalitions, we need alliances, multi-stakeholder platforms. This is our business model, and we know that it works” (Remarks to Non-Governmental Organizations, UNHQ, October 2011).

NGOs can be found around the world, doing their bit for humanity, sustainability and future generations. It is a loathsome official or civilian who can be brash enough to disparage their work.

Perhaps not surprisingly, the tyrannical leaders in Moscow are not only dedicated to controlling everything in their country and beyond but they’re also committed to destroying independent Russian non-governmental organizations.

According to the Warsaw Institute, the Russian State Duma, its parliament – though it resembles not a dynamic, democratic legislative body but rather a collection of brainless Putin puppets – on December 23, 2020, approved a bill, under which any individual or group of individuals could be deemed “a foreign agent” if they receive material or monetary support from abroad. The law as well as the whole package of others adopted that day could prevent anyone whom the regime deems an enemy from engaging in public activity.

In other words, civil society has been muzzled or eliminated. NGOs in Russia could be terrorized into non-existence because after all do they have the wherewithal to fight Putin’s thugs.

This is yet another time that the Kremlin through its so-called lawmakers tightened the law on civil society. In 2017, the law cited a range of foreign-funded media outlets as “foreign agents.”

The Warsaw Institute noted that the restrictions enacted in December are even more draconian. Any citizen who “carries out political activities on the territory of the Russian Federation in the interests of the foreign state and/or deliberately collects information on the military and military-technical activities of the Russian Federation,” which “may be used against the security of the Russian Federation” after being transferred abroad, could be considered a “foreign agent.”

The requirements for being designated “a foreign agent,” according to the updated law, is funding. If financial and organizational support come from abroad, the NGO is a foreign agent and consequently can be held suspect or even declared traitors.

How does the law define “political activity” for which individuals or institutions risk being called a “foreign agent?” It is enough to take part in rallies, be a member of a political party, or help hold elections or carry out polls and socio-political research.

In today’s age, when civic organizations seek funding to carry on their work from like-minded organizations around the world, this Russian legislation will certainly curtail the potentially humanitarian and beneficial work of NGOs in Russia.

The Warsaw Institute noted: “Recognizing someone as a ‘foreign agent’ will severely limit their public rights. The law also says that individuals labeled as ‘foreign agents’ would be banned from joining the civil service or holding a municipal government position, while being refused access to state secrets. The new law adds that any such person is obliged to submit detailed paperwork every six months if they receive money from abroad. Under the changes, also foreign media correspondents could be labeled ‘foreign agents.’ Tight restrictions would also affect NGOs not being legal entities. Groups or individuals deemed foreign agents had previously been required to register with the Justice Ministry and submit their planned activities. What is worth attention is that media outlets – while publishing reports on individuals or organizations labeled ‘foreign agents’ – will be required to include this information.”

This diabolical wide net that Moscow has cast bodes ill for all NGOs in Russia. Indeed, the good ones could be scared into closing their doors or submission to the state while those that continue to exist could be distrusted because their allegiance will not be truly non-governmental but rather very pro-Kremlin. For the privilege of keeping their doors open, they’ll toe Moscow’s line.

This is an opportunity for civil society – non-governmental organizations – in the United Nations system to condemn Moscow’s latest effort to stifle free speech and come to the rescue of their Russian colleagues.