Russia: Draft law could cut off Russian dissidents in Britain and abroad from banking and passports

Reacting to proposed legislation in the Russian Duma that would impose sweeping restrictions on government critics targeted with problematic laws in Russia and living abroad, including the denial of consular services and the blocking of banking and property rights, Marie Struthers, Amnesty International’s Eastern Europe and Central Asia Director, said:

“This legislation is a chilling attempt to punish people who have left Russia but continue to criticise its authorities. By denying them access to their bank accounts, blocking property transactions and denying consular services, the Russian authorities are seeking to harass and penalise their opponents by any means possible.

“Many of those targeted by this legislation fled Russia to escape intimidation and the constant threat of lengthy prison terms for speaking out. The Russian state is now designing new ways to reach across borders and harm them.

“Calls on parliament to reject these draconian proposals are unlikely to halt their adoption. The governments of hosting countries must urgently develop practical mechanisms to counter the Russian government’s repressive overreach and ensure that people targeted by these measures can obtain access to basic services such as banking and secure essential documents such as passports.”

Duma set to vote 22 July on register denying banking and consular access to exiled Russian critics, including in the UK

On 20 July, a State Duma committee approved amendments to the draft of the law “On temporary restrictive measures concerning persons located outside the Russian Federation and evading the execution of punishment.” The bill is scheduled for its second reading on 22 July.

The proposed legislation would establish a register, run by the Ministry of Justice, of people living outside Russia and evading criminal or administrative penalties imposed by Russian authorities, including under problematic legislation that violates human rights. This problematic legislation includes the “foreign agents” and “undesirable organizations” laws, and penalises “discrediting” of the Russian Armed Forces, calls for sanctions, and other offences “against the interests of the Russian Federation.”

Those listed would be deprived of most consular and e-government services, denied access to mobile and online banking, prevented from making remote bank transfers, blocked from selling or registering real estate and subjected to various restrictions on managing other assets. Their bank accounts would be frozen and their driving and other licenses invalidated.