Russian authorities on Monday labeled Amnesty International as an “undesirable organization,” a move that effectively criminalizes its activities in the country under a 2015 law.
The decision marks another step in Russia’s sweeping crackdown on dissent and foreign influence, which has intensified since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
In a statement, the Prosecutor General’s Office said it had banned the operations of Amnesty International Limited, the global human rights group registered in London, accusing it of threatening Russia’s national security.
The office claimed the organization “presents itself as an active advocate for human rights worldwide,” but in reality serves as “a center for developing global Russophobic projects funded by supporters of the Kyiv regime.”
Officials alleged that since the start of the war in Ukraine—referred to by Moscow as a “special military operation”—Amnesty’s activists have sought to escalate the conflict, defend what Russia called “crimes of Ukrainian neo-Nazis,” and push for increased Western military support and sanctions against Russia.
The statement went further, accusing Amnesty of allegedly supporting extremist groups and financing the activities of so-called foreign agents.
Amnesty joins more than 220 organizations now labeled “undesirable,” a list that includes prominent independent media outlets and civil society groups. Organizations designated under the law are subject to heavy fines, while individuals affiliated with them can face lengthy prison sentences if they fail to cut ties after being formally notified.
Founded in London in 1961, Amnesty International is an independent non-governmental organization focused on human rights. It monitors abuses around the world, campaigns for adherence to international law, and mobilizes public pressure on governments. The organization was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1977.