Urging the Government of the Russian Federation to withdraw the first draft of the proposed legislation as passed in its first reading in the State Duma that would have the effect of severely restricting the establishment, operations, and activities of domestic, international, and foreign nongovernmental organizations in the Russian Federation, or to modify the proposed legislation to entirely remove these restrictions.

        [Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 312 Referred in Senate (RFS)]

109th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. CON. RES. 312

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

December 16, 2005

Received

January 27, 2006

Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Urging the Government of the Russian Federation to withdraw the first
draft of the proposed legislation as passed in its first reading in the
State Duma that would have the effect of severely restricting the
establishment, operations, and activities of domestic, international,
and foreign nongovernmental organizations in the Russian Federation, or
to modify the proposed legislation to entirely remove these
restrictions.

Whereas Russian Federation President Putin has stated that ``modern Russia's
greatest achievement is the democratic process (and) the achievements of
our civil society'';
Whereas the unobstructed establishment and free and autonomous operations and
activities of nongovernmental organizations and a robust civil society
free from excessive

government control are central and indispensable elements of a democratic
society;

Whereas the free and autonomous operations of nongovernmental organizations in
any society necessarily encompass activities, including political
activities, that may be contrary to government policies;
Whereas domestic, international, and foreign nongovernmental organizations are
crucial in assisting the Russian Federation and the Russian people in
tackling the many challenges they face, including in such areas as
education, infectious diseases, and the establishment of a flourishing
democracy;
Whereas the Government of the Russian Federation has proposed legislation that
would have the effect of severely restricting the establishment,
operations, and activities of domestic, international, and foreign
nongovernmental organizations in the Russian Federation, including
erecting unprecedented barriers to foreign assistance;
Whereas the State Duma of the Russian Federation is considering the first draft
of such legislation;
Whereas the restrictions in the first draft of this legislation would impose
disabling restraints on the establishment, operations, and activities of
nongovernmental organizations and on civil society throughout the
Russian Federation, regardless of the stated intent of the Government of
the Russian Federation;
Whereas the stated concerns of the Government of the Russian Federation
regarding the use of nongovernmental organizations by foreign interests
and intelligence agencies to undermine the Government of the Russian
Federation and the security of the Russian Federation as a whole can be
fully addressed without imposing disabling restraints on nongovernmental
organizations and on civil society;
Whereas there is active debate underway in the Russian Federation over concerns
regarding such restrictions on nongovernmental organizations;
Whereas the State Duma and the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly play a
central role in the system of checks and balances that are prerequisites
for a democracy;
Whereas the first draft of the proposed legislation has already passed its first
reading in the State Duma;
Whereas President Putin has indicated his desire for changes in the first draft
that would ``correspond more closely to the principles according to
which civil society functions''; and
Whereas Russia's destiny and the interests of her people lie in her assumption
of her rightful place as a full and equal member of the international
community of democracies: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),
That Congress--
(1) urges the Government of the Russian Federation to
withdraw the first draft of the proposed legislation that would
have the effect of severely restricting the establishment,
operations, and activities of domestic, international, and
foreign nongovernmental organizations in the Russian
Federation, or to modify the proposed legislation to entirely
remove these restrictions; and
(2) in the event that the first draft of the proposed
legislation is not withdrawn, urges the State Duma and the
Federation Council of the Federal Assembly to modify the
legislation to ensure the unobstructed establishment and free
and autonomous operations and activities of such
nongovernmental organizations in accordance with the practices
universally adopted by democracies, including the provisions
regarding foreign assistance.

Passed the House of Representatives December 15, 2005.

Attest:

KAREN L. HAAS,

Clerk.