Statement by YABLOKO Bureau, 2.06.2015

The government’s policies in respect of the remaining fragments of the civil society aim at their complete elimination and lead Russia to even greater backwardness.

For the past two months 17 more organisations, including environmental, human rights, educational [NGOs], have been added to the registry of ‘foreign agents’.

President signed a law on the activities of ‘undesirable organisations’ in the country, which enables officials with the right to close any organisation they find undesirable. Immediately after the adoption of this law which provoked criticism of the civilized world, it became clear against whom it was adopted: a deputy from LDPR demanded to close the Carnegie Foundation, the Memorial [society], Transparency International, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International.

However, along with traditional reprisals against human rights and civil society organisations the state has already targeted education and information projects.

Thus, the authorities consider that educational projects represent a threat to Russia’s security: the Dinastia (Dynasty) and the Liberalnaya Missiya (Liberal Mission) foundations were recognized ‘foreign agents’.

The Dynasty foundation has been supporting research and education from the own money of its founder Dmitry Zimin, a popular web-portal on the [problems of] fundamental science Elementy (Elements) have been repeatedly recognised the best educational project of the Russian Internet zone. The Liberal Mission foundation opens for the Russian reader the works of world and domestic public opinion leaders, conducts training and educational seminars.

The Bureau of the YABLOKO Party states that the recognition of the Dynasty and the Liberal Mission foundations foreign agents is a tool for their elimination. Such actions represent a clear signal to the business community: it is possible to support only thee projects unambiguously approved by the authorities.

Repressive laws on “foreign agents” and “undesirable organisations” create the atmosphere of suspiciousness in the country and eliminate organisations bringing positive results. All this represents an ongoing frontal attack on the civil society and drives the country to a deadlock.

We express our support for Yevgeny Yasin [head of the Liberal Mission] and Dmitry Zimin [founder of the Dynasty] and demand from the authorities to stop the pressure on educational and charitable foundations the activities of which are very much needed in our country.

Sergei Mitrokhin,

YABLOKO Chairman