Draft Legislation in Russia Proposes "Loyalty Agreement" for Foreigners

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n a move that has stirred international attention, the Russian government is poised to present a bill to the State Duma which, if passed, would institute a mandatory “loyalty agreement” for all foreign visitors to the country. Under the proposed legislation, visitors would be required to pledge not to criticize Russian state policy or Soviet history, and to respect what are described as traditional Russian family values, culture, and the environment.

This proposed “loyalty agreement” is part of a wider push by the Kremlin to reinforce national interests and traditional values in the face of what it perceives as Western liberalism. The legislation was disclosed by the state news agency TASS and is reported to be in an advanced stage of development, with officials from the interior ministry, the government, and the presidential administration involved in its crafting.

Lieutenant General Valentina Kazakova, leading the Main Directorate for Migration within the interior ministry, informed TASS that discussions are ongoing and that the bill will soon be submitted to the State Duma.

Implications for historical narratives and family values

A particular point of contention in the legislation is its stipulation against “distorting the historical truth” about the Soviet Union’s role in World War II, specifically its victory over Nazism — a narrative that President Vladimir Putin has frequently paralleled with contemporary geopolitical conflicts, notably the annexation of Crimea.

The legislation’s emphasis on “traditional family values” echoes the conservative stance taken by the Russian government in recent years, which has seen a crackdown on LGBTQ rights and gender-affirming treatments, and restrictions on reproductive rights. This has been supported by the Russian Orthodox Church and is justified by authorities as necessary to combat Russia’s declining birth rates and to improve the demographic situation.

The bill also seeks to safeguard Russia’s cultural heritage and natural resources, requiring visitors to refrain from activities that could be perceived as showing disrespect to Russia’s ethno-cultural diversity and environmental conservation efforts. This comes at a time when Russia, home to nearly 200 ethnic groups, has been accused of leveraging its ethnic minorities in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, leading to a disproportionate number of casualties from these communities.

Response from minority groups and scholars

The proposed legislation has been met with concern by minority groups within Russia, who already report feeling marginalized and exploited, particularly in the context of the Ukraine conflict. Scholars and critics who have documented the authoritarian aspects of Stalin’s regime have faced increasing marginalization, with many losing access to Kremlin-controlled media and being labeled as “foreign agents.”

As the 2024 presidential election approaches, President Putin has framed the current geopolitical tensions as an existential battle to protect Russia’s “sacred” civilization. This legislation, therefore, is seen by some as a means to consolidate this narrative and to fortify Russia against what the Kremlin perceives as the decadence of the West.

Should the bill pass, it will undoubtedly have significant implications for freedom of expression, historical interpretation, and human rights in Russia, potentially affecting the country’s relations with the international community. It also raises questions about the treatment of foreigners within Russia’s borders and the broader implications for global diplomatic relations.

Source: Aljazeera English