Ingush Regional Public Organization 'Institute of Social Changes'

The Institute of Social Changes began its work in 2008. The organization’s activities were primarily associated with the development of inclusive education in the Caucasus, the formation of leadership qualities in children and adolescents, as well as supporting environmental initiatives. In addition, the Institute for Social Change brought together teachers who improved their qualifications within the framework of the project 'Educational Initiative in the North Caucasus'.

The organization was recognized as a 'foreign agent' in the fall of 2019. The Institute for Social Change was fined 300,000 rubles for violating the requirements of the legislation on 'foreign agents'. The management of the organization was unable to pay this amount. As a result, the Institute for Social Change ceased its activities.

Name

Field of activity

Socio-educational initatives and projects

Status

“Foreign agent” (NGO)

Reason for recognition

'The Institute of Social Change' was recognized as a 'foreign agent' after an audit, during which it was revealed that the organization had foreign sources of funding. The Ministry of Justice attributed to them three grants from foreign foundations received by the Ingush Regional public organization in 2017 and 2018 for the implementation of educational projects and the development of volunteerism.The agency regarded the head of the organization's statements about the upcoming elections as political activity, as did the searches that took place in the house of the fund's director, Zalina Dzeit, in the context of the case of an uncoordinated rally in Ingushetia, at which local residents protested against the transfer of part of Ingushetia's territory to Chechnya.

Year of recognition

2019

Status description

Since 2012, such status can be obtained by non-profit organizations registered in Russia, and from 2020 unregistered public associations, which, according to the Russian government: a) receive foreign funding, b) participate in “political activity,” which is understood as any public activity. Who recognizes: Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation. Responsibilities: NPO-"foreign agents” are required to provide a report on their activities, audit reports, and data on the organization’s personnel. In addition, they must submit to the Ministry of Justice a report on the goals and actual spending of funds, including those received from foreign sources. Unregistered public associations must provide the Ministry of Justice with a notice on receipt of funds from foreign sources and participation in political activities, as well as with a report on the funds received, purposes, and their actual use. Administrative liability: mentioning an NGO-"foreign agent” and an unregistered public association-foreign agent on the Internet or in the media—a fine of up to 50 thousand rubles. (Article 13.15 of the Code of Administrative Offences). failure to submit or untimely submission of reports—a fine of up to 300 thousand rubles for an NCO-foreign agent (Article 19.7.5-2 of the Code of Administrative Offences) and up to 30 thousand rubles for unregistered public associations (Article 19.7.5-3 of the Code of Administrative Offences). if the association produces or distributes materials without specifying that such association is a foreign agent—a fine of up to 300 thousand rubles, for unregistered public associations (Article 19.7.5-3 of the Code of Administrative Offences) and up to 500 thousand rubles for an NGO-foreign agent (Article 19.34 of the Code of Administrative Offences). if an employee, but not an association as a whole, distributes any materials and does not indicate that he/she is an employee of an NGO-foreign agent—a fine of five thousand rubles and for unregistered public associations (Article 19.7.5-3 of the Code of Administrative Offences), and for NGOs (Article 19.34 of the Code of Administrative Offences). if the organization operates but does not enter itself in the register of foreign agents—a fine of up to 500 thousand rubles for non-profit organizations (Article 19.34 of the Code of Administrative Offences). if the activities of the organization are suspended, but it continues to function—a fine for an unregistered public association for organizers up to two thousand rubles, and for participants—up to one thousand rubles, for an NGO-foreign agent—a fine of up to 50 thousand rubles for organizers and up to five thousand rubles for participants (Article 20.28 of the Code of Administrative Offences). Criminal liability: malicious evasion of reporting by registered NGOs and unregistered public associations recognized as foreign agents—a fine of up to 300 thousand rubles or imprisonment for up to two years (par.1 article 330.1 of the Criminal Code).

Human Rights Activists