Brussels, 04/06/2021 – 18:50
Statements by the Spokesperson
On 4 June, President Putin signed a new law banning anyone with links to so-called “extremist organisations” from running in elections in Russia. This new law is yet another tool against critical and opposition voices, which will further curtail political pluralism in Russia. This decision, ahead of the State Duma elections in September and in conjunction with the laws on “foreign agents” and “undesirable organisations”, reinforces a systematic crackdown on democracy, human rights and freedoms. Moreover, it is of additional concern that this law will have retroactive force.
The European Union urges the Russian authorities to repeal this law and bring Russian legislation in line with the commitments Russia has assumed under European and international human rights law, including the European Convention on Human Rights of the Council of Europe.
Source: Russia: Statement by the Spokesperson on the law on so-called “extremist organisations”