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US "deeply troubled" by Russia's ban on three NGOs' as "undesirable"

WASHINGTON, April 29 (KUNA) -- The US said Friday that it is "deeply troubled" by the Russian Government's decision to designate Open Russia, the Open Russia Civic Movement, and the Institute of Modern Russia "as so-called "undesirable" foreign organizations." Deputy spokesperson of the Department of State stressed in a statement "we reject the notion that these and other international civil society organizations are a threat to Russia." "If Russia hopes to build a strong, democratic government with a dynamic, competitive economy, it should value and support, not harass and criminalize such independent voices," he noted.
He added "we again call on the Government of Russia to uphold its international obligations and commitments to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms and to cease restrictions on the work of civil society organizations in Russia." The three NGOs were designated as "undesirable" by Russia's Prosecutor General's Office, where this action makes it illegal for the organizations to operate in Russia. (end) si.mb