State Department worry for recognition NED junk organization in Russia – RBC

The US State Department expressed its deep concern after the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) received the status of junk organizations in Russia. This is stated in the statement of State Department spokesman Mark Toner, published on the site office.

«This move only reinforces concern that the so-called law of unwanted organizations will further restrict the activities of civil society in Russia,” – Toner said.

The State Department called the recognition of the organization NED junk “another example of the growing pressure from the Russian government on independent voices, and yet another deliberate step that aims to isolate the Russians from the rest of the world.” Toner said that Washington remains concerned about the pressure on the independent media, civil society, minorities and opposition in Russia.

«The Russians, like people elsewhere in the world, deserve an open marketplace of ideas, transparent and accountable governance , equality before the law and the possibility to exercise their rights without fear of retribution, “- said Toner. He called on Moscow to comply with international obligations and to respect freedom of expression and the rule of law.

The National Endowment for Democracy was the first organization, whose activities in the Russian Prosecutor General’s Office has been recognized as undesirable. The department concluded that the NED participated in the recognition of the results of illegitimate election campaigns, the organization of political campaigns in order to influence decisions taken by the government, discrediting the service in the Armed Forces of Russia ».

According to the Prosecutor General’s Office to these goals in 2013-2014 NED provided “Russian commercial and non-commercial entities financial assistance in the amount of approximately $ 5.2 million.” In the fund say the satisfaction in 2014, a total of 95 Russian applications worth $ 8.4 million.

NED – a non-governmental organization established in 1983 at the initiative of US President Ronald Reagan. It is designed to assist developing countries in building democracy. Collaborated with the Foundation 24 of 77 NGOs have got the list of foreign agents.

The law on “undesirable organizations” was adopted by the State Duma in mid-May. According to the law in coordination with the Foreign Ministry of Russia will be able to prohibit the authorities of “undesirable organizations” in Russia to address the Prosecutor General or his deputies. The Federation Council has sent to the Prosecutor General recommendations on the list of undesirable to Russian organizations from 12 foreign and international NGOs in the beginning of the month. MacArthur caught in this list last week decided to close its Moscow branch.