The Russian Prosecutor General’s Office on Monday categorized Amnesty International as an “undesirable” organization.
The Prosecutor General’s Office released a statement claiming that Amnesty International Limited is central to global “Russophobic” projects. Russia also maintains that this international non-governmental organization is funded by “accomplices” of the Ukrainian government. Russian officials allege that Amnesty International acts to intensify military operations in the region and to isolate Russia both politically and economically.
The decision to label a foreign-funded international organization as “undesirable on the territory of the Russian Federation” was taken under a restrictive 2015 law. Amnesty International commented on the law after its passage. John Dalhuisen, then Amnesty’s director for Europe and Central Asia, said, “These new harsh restrictions are part of an ever rising repressive tide which is stifling free speech, denying the space for debate and suffocating free expression in Russia.” Organizations labelled as “undesirable” must halt their operations in Russia or face heavy sanctions and even criminal repercussions.
As of 2024, Radio Free Europe confirmed that there were more than 140 organizations labelled as “undesirable” under Russian law.
Civic society is crucial under international law to ensure the protection of human rights. The UN General Assembly adopted in 1998 a non-legally binding Declaration on Human Rights Defenders. This includes several rights of organizations and individuals that promote human rights worldwide, proposing several obligations and duties for States to promote the proper functioning of these organizations.
Amnesty International has recently been particularly active in voicing human rights concerns in Russia. In May, it urged the release of publishers detained as a result of Russia’s anti-LGBTI campaign. Amnesty International also recently condemned the Russian failure to provide justice and transparency concerning the death of political opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Due to the current ban as an ‘undesirable organization,’ the work of Amnesty International within Russian soil can be severely hindered.
Amnesty International has yet to respond to the Russian Prosecutor’s Office’s allegations.
