The proposal, co-sponsored by Belarus, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, is entitled "Draft Decision on Streamlining Participation of Non-Governmental Organizations in OSCE Meetings." The document outlines a number of procedures that NGOs would have to follow in order to gain entry to various OSCE meetings in the future.
 
The draft lists three "criteria" for NGO participation: an NGO should be recognized according to existing procedures in its home country; it should not resort to violence or condone terrorism; and it should have relevant experience in the topic discussed in a given OSCE forum.
 
According to the Budapest-based human rights and democracy watchdog Freedom House Europe, the proposal also outlines a registration procedure for NGOs that would demand proof of official registration in their home countries, a minimum of 2 years of activity, and submission of financial reports as well as relevant publications.
 
"This new proposal is yet another facet of the well-coordinated Russian offensive aimed at weakening the OSCE," said Roland Kovats, director of Freedom House Europe. "The objective seems to be to eliminate the institution's capacity to act as an effective forum for safeguarding human rights and democracy in Europe and Central Asia."

Currently, NGOs can participate in OSCE meetings simply by registering online and providing contact details, except in those cases where an NGO is accused of engaging in or propagating violence.

Russian annoyance has been particularly strong with the OSCE's Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, which invited to its October Warsaw meeting the Russian Chechen Friendship Society (RCFS), an organization that has been banned in Russia and accused of supporting terrorism by the authorities.

"This proposal is clearly also a payback by the Russians for ODIHR's invitation of the RCFS to Warsaw and for allowing its representative, journalist Oksana Chelysheva, to speak at the meeting," Mr. Kovats, who also attended, said. The Russian delegation walked out from the meeting in protest.

Another recent Russian proposal that created waves among Western diplomats and human rights organizations recommended placing significant limits on the freedom of OSCE election monitoring missions. The Russian government is also pressing to link the adoption of a widely-supported OSCE convention to the simultaneous adoption of a more restrictive OSCE charter.
 
"We must view this Russian proposal for what it is: an extension of the Kremlin's ongoing war against Russian civil society organizations, particularly those that focus on human rights and freedom of speech," said Balint Molnar, deputy director of Freedom House Europe.
 
"One of the most critical traditions of the OSCE has been the broad inclusion of civil society representatives in its meetings, giving them a place at the table with diplomats and other state representatives. In addition to putting excessive administrative burdens on NGOs, the Russian proposal would essentially allow members a veto over the participation of civil society organizations," added Mr. Molnar. "It seems clear that the OSCE delegations from Russia and some other CIS states are keen to block the participation of those NGOs that might highlight their shortcomings in human rights and democracy."
 
All three of the CIS countries that have co-signed the Russian proposal - Belarus, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan - have placed restrictions on the activities of civil society organizations and NGOs in their countries. In the case of Belarus and Uzbekistan, these restrictions can be quite severe.
 
For more information on Russia, visit:
 
Nations in Transit 2007: Russia
Freedom in the World 2007: Russia