Putin ends 2020 by tightening the legal noose on press and individual freedoms By Alexandra Odynova
December 31, 2020 / 7:37 AM / CBS News
Moscow Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed off on a package of controversial new laws that expand the government s powers to label individuals and organizations as foreign agents, and introduce an array of new restrictions on media organizations.
Russia s President Vladimir Putin chairs a joint meeting of the country s State Council and the Council for Strategic Development and National Projects via a video conference call at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow, Russia December 23, 2020. Sputnik/Mikhail Klimentyev/Kremlin
The new laws expand the foreign agent legislation adopted in 2012, which have allowed authorities to apply the label to human rights groups and other organizations that receive funding from outside Russia. It has led to the closure of some prominent non-govern
December 30, 2020 05:56:34 am
The Russian Ministry of Justice on Monday added veteran rights activist Lev Ponomaryov and four other individuals to its list of media “foreign agents.” This is the first time that individuals have been added to the list of “foreign agents,” as the legislation has previously been used primarily against media outlets.
The “foreign agent” law requires foreign entities such as nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to label themselves as foreign agents when entering, communicating or interacting with citizens of the country. The law was amended in 2019 to include those who communicate with foreign media outlets.
On Monday, five individuals were added to the list of media “foreign agents.” Rights activist Lev Ponomarev has been a longtime critic of President Vladimir Putin. Lyudmila Savitskaya, Sergey Markelov, Denis Kamalyagin, and Daria Apakhonchich were also added to the list. These individuals are a human rights activist and journali
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Darya Apakhonchich is a former Red Cross volunteer. She has given Russian lessons to migrant and refugee women. And she has used her position as a performance artist to organize events to protect the environment, defend feminist causes, and protest Russian military adventurism.
Apakhonchich believes her activities are behind her being among the first individuals to be branded a foreign agent by Russia s Justice Ministry on December 28.
In an interview with
RFE/RL s Russian Service just after her placement on the Justice Ministry s registry of foreign mass media performing the functions of a foreign agent, Apakhonchich said flatly that she is not a foreign agent and that she plans to appeal the decision to add her name to the list of 17 entities and Russian citizens.
Council Of Europe Blasts Russia s Branding Of Five Journalists, Activists As Foreign Agents
December 29, 2020 15:09 GMT
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The Council of Europe says it is concerned about Russia branding individuals as foreign agents after Moscow added five people to a registry that activists say is used as a way to clamp down on dissent.
The council, one of the continent s leading human rights organizations, said in a statement on December 29 that the move and the foreign agent law in general stifles the development of civil society and freedom of expression.
The comment comes a day after Russia said it had placed five people three journalists who contribute to RFE/RL and two human rights activists on the Justice Ministry s registry of foreign mass media performing the functions of a foreign agent.
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Russia has for the first time branded individuals as foreign agents, including three who contribute to RFE/RL.
Five journalists or activists in total were added to the Russian Justice Ministry s registry of foreign mass media performing the functions of a foreign agent on December 28.
Previously only foreign-funded, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and rights groups were placed on the registry, in keeping with Russia s passage of its controversial foreign-agents law in 2012. The law was later expanded to include media outlets and independent journalists.
Inclusion on the registry imposes additional restrictions, such as the obligation to provide regular financial reports on activities and in the way publications are labeled.