Asger Risom
The Kremlin has officially banned Amnesty International, accusing the global rights group of promoting “anti-Russian” activities.
With the world grappling with escalating geopolitical tensions, human rights have become a central point of contention.
As governments harden positions and rhetoric grows more aggressive, global watchdogs find themselves under increasing pressure in countries where transparency and accountability are viewed as threats.
Rights Under Fire in Putin’s Russia
As tensions escalate between Russia and the West, the Russian Prosecutor General’s Office announced Monday that it had officially banned Amnesty International, designating the London-based human rights organization as “undesirable.” The decision adds another name to the growing blacklist of foreign NGOs barred from operating within Russian borders.
Founded in 1961, Amnesty International is known globally for its work defending human rights and advocating for political prisoners.
Moscow, however, claims the group has become a “center for preparing global Russophobic projects” and denounces its vocal support for Ukraine, with whom Russia remains at war.
Criminal Penalties for Cooperation
The “undesirable organization” designation carries severe consequences under Russian law. Citizens who collaborate with or donate to such groups face up to five years in prison. Previous organizations hit with the same label include U.S.-funded broadcaster Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and environmental NGO Greenpeace.
This latest prohibition is consistent with the Kremlin’s broader strategy to clamp down on civil society and foreign influence.
The law targeting “undesirable” organizations was introduced in 2015 and has since been used to silence dissent and suppress international scrutiny.
Amnesty’s Response and the Global Context
Amnesty International has not yet issued a formal response to the ban. However, the organization has frequently criticized Russia’s human rights record, including its crackdowns on political opposition, press freedom, and LGBTQ+ rights.
As reported by Digi24, this latest move underscores Moscow’s aggressive posture toward foreign NGOs, particularly those perceived as sympathetic to Ukraine or critical of the Kremlin’s policies.
Russia’s increasing isolation comes amid heightened international sanctions and growing scrutiny over its military actions and domestic repression. The ban on Amnesty International is likely to further strain its already fractured relationships with Western nations.