Duma to discuss draft legislation allowing for unplanned inspections of NGOs

22.01.2014 RF

According to the Information Telegraph Agency of Russia, Yaroslav Nilov, the Head of the Duma Committee on non-profit and religious associations stated that 11 February is the awaited date for the consideration of the draft legislation that was passed in the first reading in October 2013. The Committee recommended the passing of the legislation in the second and third readings.

According to the draft legislation, inspections can be carried out if the relevant state or local administrative bodies have reported to the designated body that an NGO is breaking Russian law as well as being involved in extremist activities. In addition, inspections may be carried out at the request of the electoral commission.

Possible grounds for inspections include an order from the head of a designated body issued on Presidential orders or the government’s instructions, and a request from the prosecutor to carry out an unplanned inspection as part of monitoring legal compliance, due to information received.

Current legislation allows unplanned inspections on the above grounds only on foreign agent NGOs. ITAR-TASS reports that the authors believe amendments will enable compliance with the constitutional principle of equality before the law. Read more