Russia Clampdown: New laws, new restrictions
Within weeks of President Putin's inauguration May 7, 2012, a flurry of legislative activity was unleashed that led to the adoption of a new set of restrictive laws governing NGOs, imposed new penalties and restrictions regarding protests and broadened the definition and penalties for “treason.”
2012
May
Jun
July
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
2013
  • 2012
    “The Protest Law” (No. 65-FZ)
    Submitted May 10, 2012
    Signed by Putin June 8, 2012
    • Increased fines for violating rules for holding public events from 5,000 rubles (approx. $165) to 300,000 rubles (approx. $30,000)
    • Imposes various restrictions on locations for public protests, and bans individuals with multiple administrative convictions related to organizing public events from organizing public events
  • 2012
    Foreign Agents Law (Law No. 121-FZ)
    Submitted June 29, 2012
    Signed by Putin July 20, 2012
    • Requires organizations that receive foreign funding and engage in “political activities” to register as “foreign agents”
    • Penalty for failure to register: Suspension of activities; freezing of assets for up to 6 months; fines of up to 300,000 rubles (approx. US$9,700) for individuals and up to 500,000 rubles (approx. $16,280) for organizations
  • 2012
    Internet Content Restrictions (No. 139-FZ)
    Submitted June 7, 2012
    Signed by Putin July 28, 2012
    • Calls for the creation of a register of prohibited websites containing information “the distribution of which is prohibited in the Russian Federation,” which will then be blocked by Internet service providers (ISPs)
    • Allows several government agencies to submit websites for the registry without a court order
    • Allows individuals to submit a complaint about online content to Roskomnadzor, the Russian Federal Surveillance Service for Mass Media and Communications through its website
    • Gives content-hosting providers 24 hours to notify the website owner to remove the prohibited content; if the content is not removed within another 24 hours, Roskomnadzor restricts access to the website
  • 2012
    Re-Introduction of Criminal Libel (No. 141-FZ)
    Submitted July 6, 2012
    Signed by Putin July 28, 2012
    • Libelous public statements or remarks reproduced by media outlets will be punished by a fine of up to 2 million rubles (just over $61,000); if an individual is libeled by being falsely accused of a grave crime, the penalty is a fine of up to 5 million rubles (just over $153,000)
    • Includes a special article “on libel against judges, jurors, prosecutors, and law enforcement officials,” punishable by a fine of up to 2 million rubles
  • 2012
    Treason Law (Law FZ-190)
    Submitted September 20, 2012
    Signed by Putin November 12, 2012
    • Broadened the definition of treason to include “consultative or other assistance to a foreign state, an international or foreign organization, or their representatives in activities against the security of the Russian Federation”
    • Penalty: Fine of up to 500,000 rubles (approx. $16,280) and a prison term of up to 20 years
  • 2012
    “Dima Yakovlev” Law (No. 272-FZ)
    Submitted December 10, 2012
    Signed by Putin December 28, 2012
    • Bans the adoption of Russian children by US citizens
    • Allows for the suspension of nongovernmental organizations that engage in “political” activities and receive funding from the US, and the suspension of any nongovernmental organization that “threatens” Russia's interests
    • Prohibits Russian citizens who hold US passports from managing or being members of non-commercial organizations that conduct political activities on Russia's territory
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