RIA Novosti: Russian officials express “regret” over closure of prominent “foreign agent” NGO

(RIA Novosti – July 8, 2015)

Russian officials have reacted with “regret” to the closure of the Dynasty (Dinastiya) NGO, Russian news agencies reported on 8 July.

The Dynasty Foundation, headed by telecommunications tycoon and philanthropist Dmitriy Zimin, is one of major donors of academic research in Russia. In a highly controversial move, the Russian Justice Ministry has put it on the list of so-called “foreign agent” NGOs on the grounds that it is allegedly funded from abroad.

Earlier in the day, it was reported that Dynasty board had ruled to liquidate the organization.

“I feel very sorry that Russia has lost one of the most efficient foundations. It is entirely on the conscience of our legislators and law enforcers – the legislators made a poor law and the Ministry of Justice, as a law enforcer, is simply implementing it mechanically,” head of the Russian Presidential Council on Human Rights Mikhail Fedotov told RIA Novosti (part of the state-owned International News Agency Rossiya Segodnya).

According to Fedotov, as a result of the foundation’s closure, the Russian science “will lose hundreds of millions” which Dmitriy Zimin used to donate.

At the same time, Fedotov said, as quoted in a separate TASS report on the same day, that he “regrets” that the Dynasty Foundation “decided to shut down instead of upholding their justice in court.” “It is high time the Supreme Court included analysis of judicial practices in ‘foreign agent’ NGOs cases in its work schedule,” he added.

A similar opinion was voiced by Konstantin Dobrynin, head of the Constitution Legislation Committee of the Federation Council. “This decision is undoubtedly emotional and understandable, and it cannot but cause regret. However, this is a huge disadvantage for our science since the support which the foundation gave to young scientists was not ephemeral, but substantial and it was good,” he said, as quoted by privately-owned news agency Interfax. No-one will win from this decision – either state, science or society, he added. “I think it makes sense for the esteemed Dmitriy Zimin to weigh options and revise his decision, as the foundation’s work is needed,” Dobrynin said.

Commenting on the issue, head of State Duma Committee on the Affairs of Public Associations and Religious Organizations, Yaroslav Nilov, said that Dynasty’s decision, in his opinion resembles a “demarche over the Justice Ministry decision”. “Obviously, this decision is linked to the fact that the Justice Ministry has forcefully recognized the Dynasty Foundation as a foreign agent. The organization understands that giving transparency to its business activity will not allow it to carry out work as it used to,” Nilov said, as quoted in a separate Interfax report.