The Russian authorities have appointed Amnesty International as an “undesirable” organization, accusing the World Human Rights Group of spreading anti-Russian feeling and of supporting extremist causes, in the last decision targeting criticism from the Kremlin.
In a statement published on Monday, the Russian prosecutor’s office allegedly alleged that the London headquarters of Amnesty operated as a “center for the preparation of world Russophobic projects” funded by the Western allies of Ukraine. The state media cited civil servants accusing the group of having tried to intensify military confrontation in the region since the start of the Invasion of Russia on the scale of Ukraine in February 2022.
According to the prosecutor’s office, Amnesty International pleaded for the political and economic isolation of Russia and supported organizations classified as extremists under Russian law. The authorities said that the group also financed activities of so -called “foreign agents” – a term used by Moscow to discredit individuals and entities deemed hostile to the State.
Amnesty International has not yet responded to the accusations.
The “undesirable” designation effectively prohibits the amnesty from operating in Russia, and anyone who has found in cooperation or promoting its work – including by sharing its reports on social networks – could face criminal proceedings.
Russia now lists 223 organizations as “undesirable”, including childcare dogs and eminent media such as Transparency International, Meduza based in Latvia and Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty funded by the United States.
Founded in 1961, Amnesty International is known to document human rights violations worldwide and campaign for the liberation of political prisoners. The organization received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1977 for its efforts to fight torture and promote membership of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
In recent years, Amnesty has reportedly reported in several conflict zones, including the war in Ukraine, alleged war crimes in Gaza, systemic discrimination in Israel and atrocities in Sudan.
This decision against the amnesty comes in the midst of a broader repression against civil society and the rights defense groups in Russia, which has accelerated since relations with the West deteriorated following the war in Ukraine and the expansion of NATO.
The authorities have increasingly used “foreign agents” and “undesirable” labels to stifle dissent, close the independent media and limit the activities of minority groups and civil society.
The announcement also coincides with diplomatic efforts in progress to end the conflict. US President Donald Trump had to hold separate calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
This follows the first direct talks in three years between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul on Friday. While no pierced has been reached, the two parties accepted a major exchange of prisoners involving 1,000 prisoners – the most important since the start of the war.
However, significant differences remain. A high Ukrainian official said that Russia demanded that Ukrainian forces withdraw from all the regions claimed by Moscow – a condition that kyiv has firmly rejected, especially since Russia does not have full control in these territories.
