III 

109TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 339 

Urging the Government of the Russian Federation to withdraw the first 

draft of the proposed legislation as passed in its first reading in the 

State Duma that would have the effect of severely restricting the establishment, operations, and activities of domestic, international, and foreign 

nongovernmental organizations in the Russian Federation, or to modify 

the proposed legislation to entirely remove these restrictions. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

DECEMBER 16, 2005 

Mr. MCCAIN (for himself, Mr. BIDEN, Mr. LIEBERMAN, and Mr. DURBIN) 

submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Urging the Government of the Russian Federation to withdraw the first draft of the proposed legislation as passed 

in its first reading in the State Duma that would have 

the effect of severely restricting the establishment, operations, and activities of domestic, international, and foreign nongovernmental organizations in the Russian Federation, or to modify the proposed legislation to entirely 

remove these restrictions. 

Whereas Russian Federation President Putin has stated that 

‘‘modern Russia’s greatest achievement is the democratic 

process (and) the achievements of our civil society’’; 
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•SRES 339 ATS

Whereas the unobstructed establishment and free and autonomous operations and activities of nongovernmental organizations and a robust civil society free from excessive 

government control are central and indispensable elements of a democratic society; 

Whereas the free and autonomous operations of nongovernmental organizations in any society necessarily encompass activities, including political activities, that may be 

contrary to government policies; 

Whereas domestic, international, and foreign nongovernmental organizations are crucial in assisting the Russian 

Federation and the Russian people in tackling the many 

challenges they face, including in such areas as education, infectious diseases, and the establishment of a 

flourishing democracy; 

Whereas the Government of the Russian Federation has proposed legislation that would have the effect of severely restricting the establishment, operations, and activities of 

domestic, international, and foreign nongovernmental organizations in the Russian Federation, including erecting 

unprecedented barriers to foreign assistance; 

Whereas the State Duma of the Russian Federation is considering the first draft of such legislation; 

Whereas the restrictions in the first draft of this legislation 

would impose disabling restraints on the establishment, 

operations, and activities of nongovernmental organizations and on civil society throughout the Russian Federation, regardless of the stated intent of the Government of 

the Russian Federation; 

Whereas the stated concerns of the Government of the Russian Federation regarding the use of nongovernmental or-
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•SRES 339 ATS

ganizations by foreign interests and intelligence agencies 

to undermine the Government of the Russian Federation 

and the security of the Russian Federation as a whole 

can be fully addressed without imposing disabling restraints on nongovernmental organizations and on civil 

society; 

Whereas there is active debate underway in the Russian Federation over concerns regarding such restrictions on nongovernmental organizations; 

Whereas the State Duma and the Federation Council of the 

Federal Assembly play a central role in the system of 

checks and balances that are prerequisites for a democracy; 

Whereas the first draft of the proposed legislation has already passed its first reading in the State Duma; 

Whereas President Putin has indicated his desire for changes 

in the first draft that would ‘‘correspond more closely to 

the principles according to which civil society functions’’; 

and 

Whereas Russia’s destiny and the interests of her people lie 

in her assumption of her rightful place as a full and 

equal member of the international community of democracies: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) urges the Government of the Russian Fed3 eration to withdraw the first draft of the proposed 

4 legislation that would have the effect of severely re5 stricting the establishment, operations, and activities 

6 of domestic, international, and foreign nongovern-
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•SRES 339 ATS

1 mental organizations in the Russian Federation, or 

2 to modify the proposed legislation to entirely remove 

3 these restrictions; and 

4 (2) in the event that the first draft of the pro5 posed legislation is not withdrawn, urges the State 

6 Duma and the Federation Council of the Federal 

7 Assembly to modify the legislation to ensure the un8 obstructed establishment and free and autonomous 

9 operations and activities of such nongovernmental 

10 organizations in accordance with the practices uni11 versally adopted by democracies, including the provi12 sions regarding foreign assistance. 

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