Russia: New law expands “Foreign Agent” label to suppress dissent
Monday, April 21, 2025 11:20 AM

On April 21, President Vladimir Putin signed a law that significantly expands Russia’s controversial “foreign agents” legislation. The new provisions allow authorities to label individuals as foreign agents if they support actions by foreign governments or international bodies considered unfriendly to Russia. Those designated face strict restrictions, including bans on public education efforts, eligibility for local funding, and nonprofit status. First introduced in 2012 and strengthened in 2022, the law is increasingly used to intimidate and punish dissenters, particularly since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. International human rights bodies, including the European Court of Human Rights, have denounced the law as repressive and incompatible with fundamental freedoms.
 
Compiled from: Tim Zadorozhnyy, “Putin expands 'foreign agent' label to include all who work with foreign organizations, governments,” The Kyiv Independent, Apr. 21, 2025.