The organization of rallies was recognized as “political activity of NGOs”

The State Duma adopted in the second and in the third, final, reading a law defining the concept of “political activity” of non-profit organizations. It was proposed at the end of February by representatives of all four Duma factions. The law is intended to concretize the concept of political activity of NGOs.

The areas in which an NPO is considered to be involved in political activities include: state building, protection of the foundations of the constitutional order and the federal structure of Russia; protection of sovereignty and ensuring the territorial integrity of Russia. In addition: ensuring the rule of law, law and order, security; defense of the country; foreign policy; socio-economic and national development of Russia; development of the political system; activities of state bodies, local self-government bodies; legislative regulation of the rights and freedoms of man and citizen.

The law fixes that political activity can be carried out only by participating in the organization and holding of public events in the form of meetings, rallies, demonstrations, processions or pickets or in various combinations of these forms, in organizing and holding public debates, discussions, speeches.

In addition, such activities can be carried out by participating in activities aimed at obtaining a certain result in elections, a referendum, in monitoring the conduct of elections, a referendum, in the formation of election commissions, referendum commissions, in the activities of political parties; public appeals to state bodies, local self-government bodies, their officials.

Political activities may also be considered other actions that have an impact on the activities of officials, including those aimed at the adoption, amendment, repeal of laws or other regulatory legal acts; dissemination, including with the use of modern information technologies, of opinions on decisions made by state bodies and their policies; the formation of socio-political views and beliefs, including through the conduct and publication of public opinion polls or other sociological research; involvement of citizens, including minors, in these activities; funding for this activity.

The law indicates that political activities do not include activities in the field of science, culture, art, healthcare, prevention and protection of the health of citizens, social services, social support and protection of citizens. The law also does not include political activities in the field of protection of motherhood and childhood, social support for the disabled, promotion of a healthy lifestyle, physical culture and sports, protection of flora and fauna.

Also, activities in the field of charity and volunteering should not be classified as political.