[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 312 Introduced in House (IH)]







109th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 312

 Urging the Government of the Russian Federation to withdraw or modify 
proposed legislation that would have the effect of severely restricting 
 the establishment, operations, and activities of domestic and foreign 
        nongovernmental organizations in the Russian Federation.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            December 8, 2005

     Mr. Hyde (for himself and Mr. Lantos) submitted the following 
     concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
                        International Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
 Urging the Government of the Russian Federation to withdraw or modify 
proposed legislation that would have the effect of severely restricting 
 the establishment, operations, and activities of domestic and foreign 
        nongovernmental organizations in the Russian Federation.

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 are contrary to government policies;
Whereas the Government of the Russian Federation has proposed the adoption of 
        legislation that would have the effect of severely restricting the 
        establishment, operations, and activities of domestic and foreign 
        nongovernmental organizations in the Russian Federation, including 
        imposing unprecedented restraints on foreign assistance;
Whereas regardless of the stated intent of the Government of the Russian 
        Federation, the restrictions in this legislation will impose disabling 
        restraints on the establishment, operations, and activities of 
        nongovernmental organizations and on civil society throughout 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 
        addressed by more limited and appropriate measures;
Whereas the proposed legislation has already passed its first reading in the 
        State Duma and is scheduled for its second reading on an expedited 
        basis;
Whereas Russia's many tragedies and the suffering of her people in the past 
        centuries were made deeper and more enduring by the Russian Government's 
        distancing of the country from the West and rejection of its practices 
        and institutions;
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 Western 
        community of democracies; and
Whereas the proposed measures of the Government of the Russian Federation are 
        incompatible with membership in that community: 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 proposed legislation that would have the effect of 
        severely restricting the establishment, operations, and 
        activities of domestic and foreign nongovernmental 
        organizations in the Russian Federation or 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 the Western democracies, including the 
        provisions regarding foreign assistance; and
            (2) in the event the proposed legislation is not withdrawn 
        or sufficiently modified, urges the State Duma and the 
        Federation Council of the Federal Assembly to amend the 
        measures contained in the legislation to ensure these same 
        freedoms.
                                 <all>