[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.