Russian Government Steps Up Pressure on NGOs

A Russian human rights group has been forced to shut down as a result of a new law which requires nongovernmental organizations that receive foreign funding and are engaged in "political activities" to register as "foreign agents," the Associated Press reports.

The Committee Against Torture, which has documented torture in Russia for fifteen years and provided legal advice to victims, said it is closing down because of the law but plans to continue its activities in a less public manner. Enacted in 2012 despite protests from NGOs that it was discriminatory, the law authorizes the Russian government to fine organizations for failing to register. Committee chair Igor Kalyapin told reporters that the organization —which received roughly half its 44 million ruble ($730,000) budget last year from overseas funders—has set up a new office that will not accept foreign funding and therefore will not have to register.