"As far as the law is concerned, we, of course, are watching and monitoring its enforcement, including possible violations on the part of law enforcement and security agencies, and we can not rule out amending the legislation," Naryshkin said in an interview with Slovak television.
In particular, the authorities may introduce amendments to the term "political activity" in reference to NGOs, he said Wednesday.
Naryshkin said about 220,000 active nongovernmental and noncommercial organizations are working in Russia. He also noted that the government had devised a financial support program for NGOs that has distributed increasing amounts of budget money from year to year.
Critics have complained that the money has gone to Kremlin-friendly organizations.
The presidential human rights council announced this week that it would ask President Vladimir Putin to consider a number of amendments to the law on NGOs prior to a meeting on Sept. 4. Among other things, the council will ask Putin to approve the removal of the derogatory term "foreign agent" in reference to NGOs from the law.
Amendments to the law that came into effect in November require all nongovernmental organizations that receive foreign funding and engage in "political activity" to register as "foreign agents" with the Justice Ministry.
Almost all NGOs currently working in Russia have refused to comply, arguing that the term "foreign agent" carries connotations of spying and seeks to compromise their work.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
