III 
109TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. CON. RES. 312 
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 
DECEMBER 16, 2005 
Received 
JANUARY 27, 2006 
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations 
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 
Urging the Government of the Russian Federation to with-
draw 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, oper-
ations, and activities of domestic, international, and for-
eign nongovernmental organizations in the Russian Fed-
eration, 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’’; 
Whereas the unobstructed establishment and free and auton-
omous operations and activities of nongovernmental orga-
nizations and a robust civil society free from excessive
HCON 312 RFS 
government control are central and indispensable ele-
ments of a democratic society; 
Whereas the free and autonomous operations of nongovern-
mental organizations in any society necessarily encom-
pass activities, including political activities, that may be 
contrary to government policies; 
Whereas domestic, international, and foreign nongovern-
mental organizations are crucial in assisting the Russian 
Federation and the Russian people in tackling the many 
challenges they face, including in such areas as edu-
cation, infectious diseases, and the establishment of a 
flourishing democracy; 
Whereas the Government of the Russian Federation has pro-
posed legislation that would have the effect of severely re-
stricting the establishment, operations, and activities of 
domestic, international, and foreign nongovernmental or-
ganizations in the Russian Federation, including erecting 
unprecedented barriers to foreign assistance; 
Whereas the State Duma of the Russian Federation is con-
sidering 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 organiza-
tions and on civil society throughout the Russian Federa-
tion, regardless of the stated intent of the Government of 
the Russian Federation; 
Whereas the stated concerns of the Government of the Rus-
sian Federation regarding the use of nongovernmental or-
ganizations by foreign interests and intelligence agencies 
to undermine the Government of the Russian Federation
HCON 312 RFS 
and the security of the Russian Federation as a whole 
can be fully addressed without imposing disabling re-
straints on nongovernmental organizations and on civil 
society; 
Whereas there is active debate underway in the Russian Fed-
eration over concerns regarding such restrictions on non-
governmental 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 democ-
racy; 
Whereas the first draft of the proposed legislation has al-
ready 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 democ-
racies: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
concurring), That Congress— 
(1) urges the Government of the Russian Fed-
eration to withdraw the first draft of the proposed 
legislation that would have the effect of severely re-
stricting the establishment, operations, and activities 
of domestic, international, and foreign nongovern-
mental organizations in the Russian Federation, or
HCON 312 RFS 
to modify the proposed legislation to entirely remove 
these restrictions; and 
(2) in the event that the first draft of the pro-
posed legislation is not withdrawn, urges the State 
Duma and the Federation Council of the Federal 
Assembly to modify the legislation to ensure the un-
obstructed establishment and free and autonomous 
operations and activities of such nongovernmental 
organizations in accordance with the practices uni-
versally adopted by democracies, including the provi-
sions regarding foreign assistance. 
Passed the House of Representatives December 15, 
2005. 
Attest: 
KAREN L. HAAS, 
Clerk.