Washington (AFP) --- The United States said it was "deeply
troubled" after Russian President Vladimir Putin officially enacted a
controversial law banning what Moscow
deems to be "undesirable" non-governmental organizations.
Under the highly
controversial law, passed by the Russian parliament this week, authorities can
ban foreign NGOs and go after their employees, who risk up to six years in
prison or being barred from the country.
The move has been widely condemned by human
rights groups, and critics have said that the vague wording of the law could
also allow officials to target foreign businesses working in Russia .
"We are
concerned this new power will further restrict the work of civil society in
Russia and is a further example of the Russian government's growing crackdown
on independent voices and intentional steps to isolate the Russian people from
the world," State Department deputy spokeswoman Marie Harf said.
"We continue
to be concerned about increasing restrictions on independent media, civil
society, members of minority groups and the political opposition," she
added in a statement that is likely to be dismissed with disdain by the
Kremlin.
"Russians,
like people everywhere, deserve a government that supports an open marketplace
of ideas, transparent and accountable governance, equal treatment under the law
and the ability to exercise their rights without fear of retribution."
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