Putin signs law banning US adoption of Russians
29 Dec 2012 6:17 AM IST
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday signed into law controversial parliamentary legislation banning the adoption of Russian children by American families, the Kremlin said.
The law – retaliation for a US law punishing Russian officials implicated in the 2009 prison death of the whistle-blowing attorney Sergei Magnitsky – will come into force on 1 January, the Kremlin said.
The highly contentious law is widely regarded as the toughest piece of anti-US legislation during Putin’s 13-year rule and has prompted objections not just from activists but even some cabinet ministers.
The law had been passed in three readings by the State Duma lower house of parliament and then at a session Wednesday held by the Federation Council upper house.
Putin said on Thursdaythat he intended to sign it, ending days of speculation about his position.
Pro-Kremlin lawmakers put together the bill in a matter of days in response to a new US law sanctioning Russian officials implicated in Magnitsky’s death.
Its passage revealed cracks in the Russian leadership between those who would prefer to get tough with the United States and ministers who back a more cautious approach.
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and the cabinet’s social affairs chief Olga Golodets have both spoken out against it.
A separate measure in the law targets Russia’s liberal activists by banning all domestic political organisations with funding from the United States.
But Putin yesterday mounted a firm defence of the ban while accusing the United States of ‘acting brazenly and arrogantly’ towards Russia.
He said those who believed the law limited the opportunities of orphans failed to see the threats to Russian society posed by a steady outflow of children.
‘There are lots of places in the world where living standards are higher than they are here,’ said Putin.
The law – retaliation for a US law punishing Russian officials implicated in the 2009 prison death of the whistle-blowing attorney Sergei Magnitsky – will come into force on 1 January, the Kremlin said.
The highly contentious law is widely regarded as the toughest piece of anti-US legislation during Putin’s 13-year rule and has prompted objections not just from activists but even some cabinet ministers.
The law had been passed in three readings by the State Duma lower house of parliament and then at a session Wednesday held by the Federation Council upper house.
Putin said on Thursdaythat he intended to sign it, ending days of speculation about his position.
Pro-Kremlin lawmakers put together the bill in a matter of days in response to a new US law sanctioning Russian officials implicated in Magnitsky’s death.
Its passage revealed cracks in the Russian leadership between those who would prefer to get tough with the United States and ministers who back a more cautious approach.
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and the cabinet’s social affairs chief Olga Golodets have both spoken out against it.
A separate measure in the law targets Russia’s liberal activists by banning all domestic political organisations with funding from the United States.
But Putin yesterday mounted a firm defence of the ban while accusing the United States of ‘acting brazenly and arrogantly’ towards Russia.
He said those who believed the law limited the opportunities of orphans failed to see the threats to Russian society posed by a steady outflow of children.
‘There are lots of places in the world where living standards are higher than they are here,’ said Putin.
Next Story
