Russian Democracy Act of 2002
PL 107-246 (H.R.2121), enacted 10/23/2002

PUBLIC LAW 107-246—OCT. 23, 2002 
116 STAT. 1511 
Public Law 107-246 
107th Congress 
An Act 
To make available funds under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to expand 
democracy, good governance, and anti-corruption programs in the Russian Federa- 
Oct. 23, 2002 
tion in order to promote and strengthen democratic government and civil society 
fH R 21211 
and independent media in that country. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
Russian 
Democracy Act of 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
2002. 
22 u s e 2151 
This Act may be cited as the "Russian Democracy Act of 2002". note. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES. 
22USC2295 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress makes the following findings: 
(1) Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the leadership 
of the Russian Federation has publicly committed itself to 
building— 
(A) a society with democratic political institutions and 
practices, the observance of universally recognized stand-
ards of human rights, and religious and press freedom; 
and 
(B) a market economy based on 
internationally 
accepted principles of transparency, accountability, and the 
rule of law. 
(2) In order to facilitate this transition, the international 
community has provided multilateral and bilateral technical 
assistance, and the United States' contribution to these efforts 
has played an important role in developing new institutions 
built on democratic and liberal economic foundations and the 
rule of law. 
(3)(A) Since 1992, United States Government democratic 
reform programs and public diplomacy programs, including 
training, and small grants have provided access to and training 
in the use of the Internet, brought nearly 40,000 Russian 
citizens to the United States, and have led to the establishment 
of more than 65,000 nongovernmental organizations, thousands 
of independent local media outlets, despite governmental 
opposition, and numerous political parties. 
(B) These efforts contributed to the substantially free and 
fair Russian parliamentary elections in 1995 and 1999. 
(4) The United States has assisted Russian efforts to 
replace its centrally planned, state-controlled economy with 
a market economy and helped create institutions and infrastruc-
ture for a market economy. Approximately two-thirds of the 
Russian Federation's gross domestic product is now generated 
116 STAT. 1512 
PUBLIC LAW 107-246—OCT. 23, 2002 
by the private sector, and the United States recognized Russia 
as a market economy on June 7, 2002. 
(5)(A) 
The 
United 
States 
has 
fostered 
grassroots 
entrepreneurship in the Russian Federation by focusing United 
States economic assistance on small- and 
medium-sized 
businesses and by providing training, consulting services, and 
small loans to more than 250,000 Russian entrepreneurs. 
(B) There are now more than 900,000 small businesses 
in the Russian Federation, producing 12 to 15 percent, 
depending on the estimate, of the gross domestic product of 
the Russian Federation. 
(C) United States-funded programs have contributed to 
fighting corruption and financial crime, such as money laun-
dering, by helping to— 
(i) establish a commercial legal infrastructure; 
(ii) develop an independent judiciary; 
(iii) support the drafting of a new criminal code, civil 
code, and bankruptcy law; 
(iv) develop a legal and regulatory framework for the 
Russian Federation's equivalent of the United States Secu-
rities and Exchange Commission; 
(v) support Russian law schools; 
(vi) create legal aid clinics; and 
(vii) bolster law-related activities of nongovernmental 
organizations. 
(6) Because the capability of Russian democratic forces 
and the civil society to organize and defend democratic gains 
without international support is uncertain, and because the 
gradual integration of the Russian Federation into the global 
order of free-market, democratic nations would enhance Rus-
sian cooperation with the United States on a wide range of 
political, economic, and security issues, the success of democ-
racy in Russia is in the national security interest of the United 
States, and the United States Government should develop a 
far-reaching and flexible strategy aimed at strengthening Rus-
sian society's support for democracy and a market economy, 
particularly by enhancing Russian democratic institutions and 
education, promoting the rule of law, and supporting Russia's 
independent media. 
(7) Since the tragic events of September 11, 2001, the 
Russian Federation has stood with the United States and the 
rest of the civilized world in the struggle against terrorism 
and has cooperated in the war in Afghanistan by sharing intel-
ligence and through other means. 
(8) United States-Russia relations have improved, leading 
to a successful summit between President Bush and President 
Putin in May 2002, resulting in a "Foundation for Cooperation". 
(b) PURPOSES.—The purposes of this Act are— 
(1) to strengthen and advance institutions of democratic 
government and of free and independent media, and to sustain 
the development of an independent civil society in the Russian 
Federation based on religious and ethnic tolerance, internation-
ally recognized human rights, and an internationally recognized 
rule of law; and 
(2) to focus United States foreign assistance programs on 
using local expertise and to give local organizations a greater 
PUBLIC LAW 107-246—OCT. 23, 2002 
116 STAT. 1513 
role in designing and implementing such programs, while 
maintaining appropriate oversight and monitoring. 
SEC. 3. UNITED STATES POLICY TOWARD THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION. 
22 USC 2295 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that 
the United States Government should— 
(1) recognize that a democratic and economically stable 
Russian Federation is inherently less confrontational and desta-
bilizing in its foreign policy and therefore that the promotion 
of democracy in Russia is in the national security interests 
of the United States; and 
(2) continue and increase assistance to the democratic 
forces in the Russian Federation, including the independent 
media, regional administrations, democratic political parties, 
and nongovernmental organizations. 
(b) STATEMENT OF POLICY.—It shall be the policy of the United 
States— 
(1) to facilitate Russia's integration into the Western 
community of nations, including supporting the establishment 
of a stable democracy and a market economy within the frame-
work of the rule of law and respect for individual rights, 
including Russia's membership in the appropriate international 
institutions; 
(2) to engage the Government of the Russian Federation 
and Russian society in order to strengthen democratic reform 
and institutions, and to promote transparency and good govern-
ance in all aspects of society, including fair and honest business 
practices, accessible and open legal systems, freedom of religion, 
and respect for human rights; 
(3) to advance a dialogue among United States Government 
officials, private sector individuals, and representatives of the 
Government of the Russian Federation regarding Russia's 
integration into the Western community of nations; 
(4) to encourage United States Government officials and 
private sector individuals to meet regularly with democratic 
activists, human rights activists, representatives of the inde-
pendent media, representatives of nongovernmental organiza-
tions, civic organizers, church officials, and reform-minded 
politicians from Moscow and all other regions of the Russian 
Federation; 
(5) to incorporate democratic reforms, the promotion of 
independent media, and economic reforms in a broader United 
States dialogue with the Government of the Russian Federation; 
(6) to encourage the Government of the Russian Federation 
to address, in a cooperative and transparent manner consistent 
with internationally recognized and accepted principles, cross-
border issues, including the nonproliferation of weapons of mass 
destruction, environmental degradation, crime, trafficking, and 
corruption; 
(7) to consult with the Government of the Russian Federa-
tion and the Russian Parliament on the adoption of economic 
and social reforms necessary to sustain Russian economic 
growth and to ensure Russia's transition to a fully functioning 
market economy and membership in the World Trade Organiza-
tion; 
(8) to persuade the Government of the Russian Federation 
to honor its commitments made to the Organization for Security 
116 STAT. 1514 
PUBLIC LAW 107-246—OCT. 23, 2002 
and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) at the November 1999 
Istanbul Conference, and to conduct a genuine good neighbor 
policy toward the other independent states of the former Soviet 
Union in the spirit of internationally accepted principles of 
regional cooperation; and 
(9) to encourage the G-8 partners and international finan-
cial institutions, including the World Bank, the International 
Monetary Fund, and the European Bank for Reconstruction 
and Development, to develop financial safeguards and trans-
parency practices in lending to the Russian Federation. 
SEC. 4. AMENDMENTS TO THE FOREIGN ASSISTANCE ACT OF 1961. 
(a) IN GENERAL.— 
(1) DEMOCRACY AND RULE OF LAW.—Section 498(2) of the 
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2295(2)) is amended— 
(A) in the paragraph heading, by striking "DEMOCRACY" 
and inserting "DEMOCRACY AND RULE OF LAW"; 
(B) by striking subparagraphs (E) and (G); 
(C) by redesignating subparagraph (F) as subparagraph 
(I); 
(D) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following: 
"(E) development and support of grass-roots and non-
governmental organizations promoting democracy, the rule 
of law, transparency, and accountability in the political 
process, including grants in small amounts to such 
organizations; 
"(F) international exchanges and other forms of public 
diplomacy to promote greater understanding on how democ-
racy, the public policy process, market institutions, and 
an independent judiciary function in Western societies; 
"(G) political parties and coalitions committed to pro-
moting democracy, human rights, and economic reforms; 
"(H) support for civic organizations committed to pro-
moting human rights;"; and 
(E) by adding at the end the following: 
"(J) strengthened administration of 
justice through pro-
grams and activities carried out in accordance with section 
498B(e), including— 
"(i) support for nongovernmental organizations, 
civic organizations, and political parties that favor a 
strong and independent judiciary; 
"(ii) support for local organizations that work with 
judges and law enforcement officials in efforts to 
achieve a reduction in the number of pretrial detainees; 
and 
"(iii) support for the creation of legal associations 
or groups tihat provide training in human rights and 
advocacy, public education with respect to human 
rights-related laws and proposed legislation, and legal 
assistance to persons subject to improper government 
interference.". 
(2) INDEPENDENT MEDL\.—Section 498 of the Foreign Assist-
ance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2295) is amended— 
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (13) as 
paragraphs (4) through (14), respectively; and 
(B) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following: 
PUBLIC LAW 107-246—OCT. 23, 2002 
116 STAT. 1515 
"(3) 
INDEPENDENT 
MEDIA.—Developing free and inde-
pendent media, including— 
"(A) supporting all forms of independent 
media 
reporting, including print, radio, and television; 
"(B) providing special support for, and unrestricted 
public access to, nongovernmental Internet-based sources 
of information, dissemination and reporting, including pro-
viding technical and other support for web radio services, 
providing computers and other necessary resources for 
Internet connectivity and training new Internet users in 
nongovernmental civic organizations on methods and uses 
of Internet-based media; and 
"(C) training in journalism, including investigative 
journalism techniques that educate the public on the costs 
of corruption and act as a deterrent against corrupt offi-
cials.", 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 498B(e) of such Act 22 use 2295b. 
is amended by striking "paragraph (2)(G)" and inserting "paragraph 
(2)(J)". 
SEC. 5. ACTIVITIES TO SUPPORT THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION. 
22 USC 2295 
(a) ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS.—In providing assistance to the Rus-
sian Federation under chapter 11 of part I of the Foreign Assistance 
Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2295 et seq.), the President is authorized 
to— 
(1) work with the Government of the Russian Federation, 
the Duma, and representatives of the Russian Federation 
judiciary to help implement a revised and improved code of 
criminal procedure and other laws; 
(2) establish civic education programs relating to democ-
racy, public policy, the rule of law, and the importEince of 
independent media, including the establishment of "American 
Centers" and public policy schools at Russian universities and 
encourage cooperative programs with universities in the United 
States to offer courses through Internet-based off-site learning 
centers at Russian universities; and 
(3) support the Regional Initiatives (RI) program, which 
provides targeted assistance in those regions of the Russian 
Federation that have demonstrated a commitment to reform, 
democracy, and the rule of law, and which promotes the concept 
of such programs as a model for all regions of the Russian 
Federation. 
(b) 
RADIO 
FREE 
EUROPE/RADIO 
LIBERTY AND VOICE OF 
AMERICA.—RFE/RL, Incorporated, and the Voice of America should 
use new and innovative techniques, in cooperation with local inde-
pendent media sources and using local languages as appropriate 
and as possible, to disseminate throughout the Russian Federation 
information relating to democracy, free-market economics, the rule 
of law, and human rights. 
SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF ASSISTANCE FOR DEMOCRACY, INDE-
PENDENT MEDIA, AND T H E R U L E O F LAW. 
Of the amounts made available to carry out the provision 
of chapter 11 of part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 
(22 U.S.C. 2295 et seq.) and the FREEDOM Support Act for fiscal 
year 2003, $50,000,000 is authorized to be available for the activities 
authorized by paragraphs (2) and (3) of section 498 of the Foreign 
Assistance Act of 1961, as amended by section 4(a) of this Act. 
116 STAT. 1516 
PUBLIC LAW 107-246—OCT. 23, 2002 
Brandeis 
SEC. 7. PRESERVING THE ARCHIVES OF HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST AND 
University. 
NOBEL PEACE PRIZE WINNER ANDREI SAKHAROV. 
(a) AUTHORIZATION.—The President is authorized, on such 
terms and conditions as the President determines to be appropriate, 
to make a grant to Brandeis University for an endowment for 
the Andrei Sakharov Archives and Human Rights Center for the 
purpose of collecting and preserving documents related to the life 
of Andrei Sakharov and the administration of such Center. 
(b) FUNDING.—There is authorized to be appropriated to the 
President to carry out subsection (a) not more than $1,500,000. 
Applicability. 
SEC. 8. EXTENSION OF LAW. 
The provisions of section 108(c) of H.R. 3427, as enacted by 
section 1000(a)(7) of Public Law 106-113, shall apply to United 
States contributions for fiscal year 2003 to the organization 
described in section 108(c) of H.R. 3427. 
Approved October 23, 2002. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 2121: 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD: 
Vol. 147 (2001): Dec. 11, considered and passed House. 
Vol. 148 (2002): Sept. 20, considered and passed Senate, amended. 
Oct. 7, House concurred in Senate amendments. 
WEEKLY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS, Vol. 38 (2002): 
Oct. 23, Presidential statement.