Germany: Russia wants to toughen law against foreign organizations - Is Deutsche Welle affected?
The Russian parliament intends to toughen the law against "undesirable" foreign organizations. The deputies of the Duma voted on Tuesday in the first reading in favor of applying the regulation in the future to any foreign organization whose "founders or shareholders are state organs of a foreign state." Until now, the law, which critics argue targets opposition-aligned institutions, applied only to foreign non-governmental organizations.
The law could potentially be applied to organizations already banned from operating in Russia, such as Deutsche Welle, Russian media reported that parliamentarian and co-author of the law Wasily Piskaryov had said last month. "Any organization working against our country should be recognized and rejected as undesirable." Legal loopholes preventing this should be closed.
The law must still be confirmed in two further readings by the Duma, as well as by the Russian Federation Council and President Vladimir Putin to come into effect. The status of "undesirable" forces organizations to cease their activities in Russia. The leaders of such organizations can be punished with up to six years in prison. Any form of participation can result in a four-year prison sentence.
Despite the criticism, the Russian parliament is persisting in strengthening the law against foreign organizations deemed "undesirable." German media outlet Deutsche Welle, among others, has already been affected by this legislation. This strengthening of the law could potentially lead to ladders for organizations to climb back into Russia's favor, as long as they align with Russia's interests. However, any misstep could result in lengthy prison sentences, with leaders facing up to six years and participants facing four years, according to the law.
