Russian NGOs warn of controversial state secrets law

MOSCOW Russian NGOs have warned that the regime could use the new Law on State Secrets and the expanded definition of high treason as a tool for repression. The Russian Duma has adopted the law which envisages stiffer penalties for those who reveal state secrets. Russian NGOs warn of controversial state secrets law Analysts believe that this is a continuation of Moscow’s fight against dissidents. According to the bill, “any kind of support of those who want to harm Russia’s security, constitutional order, sovereignty and territorial integrity” is classified as high treason. After the draft was adopted with 375 votes in favor and only two votes against in the Duma, it will be sent to the upper house and then to President Vladimir Putin. The Russian opposition claims that the government will be able to abuse the law since such “wide definitions can be interpreted as needed”. “Any citizen of Russia could be accused of high treason after any contact with foreign citizens,” said For Human Rights President Lev Ponomarev. Human rights activist stress that the Russian laws are not the problem but that their implementation is. “The law can peacefully exist until everybody forgets about it and it is used for something the state needs when necessary,” said former Committee for Human Rights President Ella Pamfilova. According to her, the adoption of such law is a “continuation of the current legislative tendency to have feverish bans”. Attorney Konstantin Rivkin believes that the changes to the Law on State Secrets are the sword of Damocles which “hangs over every citizen who officially communicates with foreigners, even in harmless everyday encounters”. It is expected that the law would arrive to the upper house next week and its implementation could begin in the beginning of November. According to the adopted draft, a person found guilty of receiving information classified as state secret without the use of violence will be fined with RUB 200,000-500,000 or imprisoned for up to four years. A view of Moscow's Kremlin (B92, Zeljko Andonov, file) B92

Russian NGOs warn of controversial state secrets law

Analysts believe that this is a continuation of Moscow’s fight against dissidents.

According to the bill, “any kind of support of those who want to harm Russia’s security, constitutional order, sovereignty and territorial integrity” is classified as high treason.

After the draft was adopted with 375 votes in favor and only two votes against in the Duma, it will be sent to the upper house and then to President Vladimir Putin.

The Russian opposition claims that the government will be able to abuse the law since such “wide definitions can be interpreted as needed”.

“Any citizen of Russia could be accused of high treason after any contact with foreign citizens,” said For Human Rights President Lev Ponomarev.

Human rights activist stress that the Russian laws are not the problem but that their implementation is.

“The law can peacefully exist until everybody forgets about it and it is used for something the state needs when necessary,” said former Committee for Human Rights President Ella Pamfilova.

According to her, the adoption of such law is a “continuation of the current legislative tendency to have feverish bans”.

Attorney Konstantin Rivkin believes that the changes to the Law on State Secrets are the sword of Damocles which “hangs over every citizen who officially communicates with foreigners, even in harmless everyday encounters”.

It is expected that the law would arrive to the upper house next week and its implementation could begin in the beginning of November.

According to the adopted draft, a person found guilty of receiving information classified as state secret without the use of violence will be fined with RUB 200,000-500,000 or imprisoned for up to four years.