An April law imposed more stringent and complicated financial reporting and registration requirements for NGOs, adding fuel to criticism from rights organizations and Western governments that Russia is backsliding on civil rights and freedoms.
One hundred and eight foreign non-governmental organizations operating in Russia managed to re-register with the country's authorities by the October 18 deadline, representing about half of the total, the Justice Ministry said last Thursday.
"It is important to remember that the submission of documents from foreign NGOs operating in Russia is allowed even after October 18, 2006, although their activities will be temporarily suspended," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
"Those organizations that failed to re-register before the deadline will maintain their branches and representative offices, and will be registered after the submission of all necessary documents," the ministry said.
