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Foreign Office concerned about Russian NGO pressure

Foreign Office Minister for Europe David Lidington has expressed concern about pressure on NGOs in Russia

• From: Foreign & Commonwealth Office and The Rt Hon David Lidington CBE
• Published: 28 March 2013

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Speaking about recent inspections on NGOs across Russia, the Minister said:

We are deeply concerned by pressure on NGOs across Russia. Recent inspections appear designed to undermine the functioning of civil society, and follow on from a series of restrictive laws passed in 2012, including the “foreign agents” NGO law. NGOs make a vital contribution to civil society and we urge the Russian authorities not to place groups advocating the protection of fundamental freedoms under special scrutiny.

Published 28 March 2013