Legislative Changes in Russia: Bill to Remove Terrorist Designation for Organizations
A new bill has been introduced to the State Duma in Russia, aiming to create a legal framework for suspending the ban on organizations previously designated as terrorist. This initiative addresses a significant gap in current legislation, which does not allow for the suspension of such bans even if an organization ceases activities related to terrorism. The proposed amendments would enable a court to temporarily lift the ban based on an application from the Prosecutor General or their deputy, contingent on the availability of relevant information.
The explanatory note accompanying the bill highlights the need for this change, stating that organizations may stop promoting or engaging in terrorist activities but remain on the terrorist list without a mechanism for legal recourse. Once a court decision is finalized, the list of terrorist organizations would be updated accordingly.
This legislative move comes amid discussions regarding the Taliban, with the FSB Director Alexander Bortnikov indicating that Russia is nearing a decision to remove the Taliban from its terrorist list. Bortnikov noted the Taliban's commitment to combating ISIS, a group recognized as terrorist by Russian authorities. The Russian government's special representative for Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov, has confirmed that a fundamental decision regarding the Taliban's status has been made, emphasizing the importance of adhering to Russian legal procedures in this process.
In recent statements, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov reiterated that Russia is maintaining communication with the Afghan leadership, underscoring the significance of establishing relations with the ruling forces in Afghanistan. He assured that once formal decisions are made regarding the Taliban's designation, the public would be promptly informed.
