EU criticizes amendments to Russia's 'foreign agents' law
The European Union has criticized the amendments to the “foreign agents” law in the Russian Federation that was passed by the country’s State Duma in the third and final reading. The legislative act widens the scope of the already existing "foreign agent" media law, under which also individuals may be recognised as "foreign agents".
The statement released today by Maja Kocijancic, the spokesperson of the European Commission for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, said “a further extension of the scope of the legislation is yet another worrying step against free and independent media and access to information as well as further attempt to silence independent voices in Russia.”
To remind, the approved legislation would allow the government to label ordinary people "foreign agents" if funded by foreign organisations. The draft legislation on individuals will have to be passed by Russia's upper house of parliament and signed by President Vladimir Putin in order to become law.