Russia Labels Amnesty International as Undesirable, Threatening Human Rights Advocacy

On Monday, Russian authorities declared Amnesty International an «undesirable» organization, a classification that could lead to severe prison sentences for individuals connected to the human rights group.

According to the Russian Prosecutor General’s Office, “The London headquarters of AIL [Amnesty International Limited] acts as a hub for international anti-Russian initiatives funded by supporters of the Kyiv government.”

The local office of Amnesty International was shuttered in April 2022, shortly after President Vladimir Putin initiated the large-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

This «undesirable» classification effectively prohibits the human rights organization from functioning in Russia, putting its staff and affiliates at risk of criminal prosecution.

Since the law’s inception in 2015, Russia has leveraged the «undesirable» label to target independent media, opposition factions, and foreign entities.

In its Monday statement, the Prosecutor General’s Office accused Amnesty International of promoting «an escalation of military conflict» in Ukraine.

“From the onset of the special military operation, activists from Amnesty International have justified the actions of Ukrainian neo-Nazis, called for increased funding, and demanded the political and economic isolation of our nation,” the authorities asserted.

In a response sent to The Moscow Times later that day, Amnesty International stated it would «not capitulate to threats» and would continue its mission to ensure that “individuals in Russia can enjoy their human rights without discrimination.”

“The authorities are gravely mistaken if they think that labeling our organization as ‘undesirable’ will halt our efforts to document and highlight human rights abuses,” the organization remarked. “No authoritarian crackdown will silence our pursuit of justice.”

Being a member of an «undesirable» organization can lead to a maximum prison term of four years, while leaders of such organizations may face sentences of up to six years.

The Russian Justice Ministry currently identifies over 200 entities as «undesirable,» including The Moscow Times, which received this designation last summer.