Doc. 10804
24 January 2006

Concern over Russian NGO Law Amendments

Motion for a resolution
presented by Mr. Berzins and others

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only the members who have signed it

1.       The Assembly welcomes changes made to the Russian Federation draft Law on NGO’s before its second reading, but remains concerned that the Law signed by President Putin on 10 January 2006 could cause possible damage to civil society, democracy and the principles of human rights in Russia.

2.       The Assembly notes that the new Law could place an undue bureaucratic burden on civil society, because the powers of the supervisory authorities exercising the Law appear to be too extensive.

3.       The Assembly remains concerned that the Law as it has been adopted could have a serious impact on legitimate activities of civil society organisations in Russia.

4.       The Assembly urges that the implementation of the regulations of the Law is duly considered and made proportionate and in accordance with the principles of democratic societies.

5.       The Assembly urges the Russian authorities to take the Council of Europe’s opinion fully into account during the implementation of this Law.

6.       The Assembly resolves to follow the implementation of the Law on NGO’s to ensure that it will be in line with the Council of Europe standards.

7.       The Assembly proposes that the process of the implementation of the Law on NGO’s be followed by the relevant bodies of the Assembly and be regularly reported to the Assembly.


Signed 1:

BERZINŠ, Andris, Latvia, ALDE
BUCEVICIUS, Saulius, Lithuania, ALDE
DOBELIS, Juris, Latvia, EDG
IVANOV, Sergei, Estonia, ALDE
JAKAVONIS, Gediminas, Lithuania, ALDE
KASTENS, Oskars, Latvia, EPP/CD
LINDBLAD, G�ran, Sweden, EPP/CD
LOBKOWICZ, Jaroslav, Czech Republic, EPP/CD
MIHKELSON, Marko, Estonia, EPP/CD
ŠILEIKIS, Gintaras, Lithuania, ADLE
TEVDORADZE, Elene, Georgia, ALDE

1        SOC: Socialist Group
       EPP/CD: Group of the European People’s Party
       ALDE: Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe
       EDG: European Democratic Group
       UEL: Group of the Unified European Left
       NR: not registered in a group