Germany voices 'concern' about Russian raids on NGOs
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 26 March 2013 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Germany voices 'concern' about Russian raids on NGOs, 26 March 2013, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/519a6b1d2e.html [accessed 29 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
March 26, 2013
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle
Germany has complained to Russia about a series of raids on nongovernmental organizations, including two German think tanks.
A Foreign Ministry official says Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle "invited" the second-in-rank diplomat at Russia's Berlin embassy to express "concern over the concerted action" by Russian law-enforcement authorities.
German media quoted a diplomat as saying that "hindering the activity of German foundations could inflict lasting damage on bilateral relations."
The Konrad Adenauer Foundation and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation are among more than 100 Russian and Western NGOs that have been submitted to similar inspections in recent days.
Authorities said the inspections are aimed at determining whether the groups are in compliance with Russian law.
Activists see the inspections as a crackdown.
Based on reporting by Reuters, AFP, and spiegel.de
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
