Medvedev: Russian laws on NCOs need amendment

The legislation on the activities of non-commercial non-governmental organizations (NCOs and NGOs) needs to be permanently amended and improved, as stated today by President of the Russian Federation Dmitri Medvedev at the sitting of the Board under Russian President for promoting development of civil society institutes and human rights.

According to Medvedev, some changes in the legislation are possible and some are even necessary, as the ITAR-TASS reports.

In particular, according to the President, it concerns the issues of taxation of NCOs, their interaction with the authorities, informing citizens on NCOs' activities, state support and public examinations, as well as public hearings on the problems essential to the society.

According to Mr Medvedev, "there are many cases when the activity of such organizations is restricted without any good reasons," since "this activity is viewed by many bureaucrats as a threat to their undivided power", the "Gazeta.Ru" is quoting.

"It's no secret that presentation about human rights in our country was strongly distorted. This dates back to our history and has to do with certain ideological stereotypes. One simple thing should be understood here: the state itself should deal with defence of human rights; and rights should be defended by the people who wish to be engaged in it," the "Interfax" quotes Mr Medvedev as saying.

"We raise the issue of a new legal base for NCOs," said Ella Pamfilova, head of the Board at the President of the Russian Federation to promote development of institutes of civil society and human rights.

In her opinion, the present legislation on NCOs, which is criticized by human rights activists, is based on "suspicion". According to her story, another legal base is required for promoting development of the NCO sector and forming a "friendly environment."