2015-05-16 14:47:00

(Vatican Radio) Russian legislators have backed draft legislation to prosecute foreigners whose activities are seen as "undesirable" on national security grounds. The measure is expected to target foreign non-governmental organisations or companies as part of a wider crackdown.

Listen to the report by Stefan Bos:

Critics claim the term "undesirable" is open to wide interpretation, according to critic. Russian popular daily Moskovsky Komsomolets said the "undesirable" label could be applied to any foreign organisation, "commercial and non-profit alike".

It added that aid groups such as Doctors Without Borders, rights organization Amnesty International and environmental activists including Greenpeace are under threat.

Foreign businesses and media organizations may also be forces to closed down if they are seen as harming the country's interests.

President's Party

The legislation was drafted by a party local to Russian President Vladimir Putin. It follows a law adopted in 2012 that forces foreign funded non-governmental organizations to register as "foreign agents", a clear reference to spying.

Under the latest proposed law a foreigner declared "undesirable" could face a fine up to 10.000 dollars in local currency and up to six years imprisonment.

The bill passed a second reading in the State Duma, the lower house of Parliament, on Friday. It still requires a third reading, then approval by the upper house, or Federation Council, as well as President Putin to become law. However observers say that's in most cases just a formality as the text has already been approved.

The new legislation comes amid the worst crisis between Russia and the West since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Their frosty relationship is characterized by Western sanctions and counter-measures over Russia's involvement in Ukraine, where thousands have died in ongoing clashes between pro-Russian separatists and government forces in the east.