Union "Women of Don" appeals against Court's decision on registration of NGO as "foreign agent"

The Rostov NGO Union "Women of Don" has appealed against the decision of the Zamoskvorechye District Court of Moscow to recognize the legitimacy of the inclusion of the NGO in the register of "foreign agents". The complaint has been filed to the Moscow City Court, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent has been told by Valentina Cherevatenko, the head of the Union "Women of Don".

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on December 9, 2014, the Zamoskvorechye District Court of Moscow recognized the decision of the Russian Ministry of Justice (MoJ) to include the Union "Women of the Don" in the register of NGOs acting as "foreign agents".

When considering the NGO's complaint, the Court found groundless the argument that the Union "Women of Don" was not involved in political activities.

The Court mentioned the educational seminar "Human rights, children's rights and the system of administration of juvenile justice" held in the town of Olginka of the Krasnodar Territory as an example of political activity carried out by the Union "Women of Don". The target audience of the educational seminar included Novocherkassk teachers of history and social science.

"The activities of the Union 'Women of Don' indicates that the NGO is socially active in the organization and holding of actions aimed at forming public opinion and influencing decision-making by public institutions," states the Court's decision.

The document emphasizes that the inclusion in the register of "foreign agents" does not discriminate the NGO in any way and that it is aimed at "further transparency of financing."

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.