The media reported this week that Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed two bills into law. The first enacts changes to Article 9 of the law "On Freedom of Conscience and On Religious Associations" to prohibit certain individuals from founding religious organizations. The ban applies to (1) foreigners or stateless persons who have been declared persona non grata in Russia and (2) individuals who have been involved in activities labeled as extremist by the courts. (Interfax report.)
A second bill signed by Putin bars same-sex couples from adopting or obtaining custody of children. According to Interfax, the bill is aimed at preventing the "spiritual suffering and stress, which, according to psychologists, are often experienced by children with same-sex parents."
