Key points
- Russia alleges Amnesty propagates pro-war content backed by Western allies of Ukraine
- Amnesty International was established in 1961
- The organisation won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1977
ISLAMABAD: Russia has designated Amnesty International as an “undesirable” organisation, alleging that the rights group propagates pro-war content backed by the Western allies of Ukraine, according to Al Jazeera.
“Global Russophobic projects”
The Russian Prosecutor General’s Office said in a statement on Monday that Amnesty’s London office has acted as a “centre for the preparation of global Russophobic projects paid for by accomplices of the Kyiv regime”, according to state-run media.
It claimed that since the start of the war in February 2022, Amnesty has been “doing everything possible to intensify the military confrontation in the region”, including by “insisting on the political and economic isolation of our country”.
The office also emphasised that members of the international rights group “support extremist organisations and finance the activities of foreign agents”.
“Effort to silence dissent”
Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International’s Secretary General, said the decision taken by Moscow is part of its “broader effort to silence dissent”.
“We will continue to work relentlessly to ensure that all those who are responsible for committing grave human rights violations, whether in Russia, Ukraine, or elsewhere, face justice … Put simply, no authoritarian assault will silence our fight for justice. Amnesty will never give up or back down in its fight for upholding human rights in Russia and beyond,” she added, according to Al Jazeera.
Russian authorities are deeply mistaken if they believe that by labelling @amnesty “undesirable” we will stop our work documenting and exposing human rights violations – quite the opposite. We will not give in to the threats and will continue undeterred.https://t.co/QL7IEzspB9 pic.twitter.com/rac9fY4K7B
— Agnes Callamard (@AgnesCallamard) May 19, 2025
In a post on X, she stated: “Russian authorities are deeply mistaken if they believe that by labelling Amnesty “undesirable” we will stop our work documenting and exposing human rights violations – quite the opposite. We will not give in to the threats and will continue undeterred.”
Amnesty International post on its official X handle: Dear supporters, the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Russian Federation today declared Amnesty International an “undesirable organization”.
Dear supporters, the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Russian Federation today declared Amnesty International an “undesirable organization”. pic.twitter.com/EpE4lgrfeF
— Amnesty International (@amnesty) May 19, 2025
“This means that any participation in our activities, including donations and reposts is punishable in the Russian Federation. If you are reading us from Russia, or are planning to travel there, refrain from sharing our online and offline materials,” the post said.
This means that any participation in our activities, including donations and reposts is punishable in the Russian Federation. If you are reading us from Russia, or are planning to travel there, refrain from sharing our online and offline materials.
— Amnesty International (@amnesty) May 19, 2025
“We will continue to protect human rights in Russia and the world, and we will keep you informed,” it added.
We will continue to protect human rights in Russia and the world, and we will keep you informed.https://t.co/MHGpuUhR9O
— Amnesty International (@amnesty) May 19, 2025
Exposed to criminal prosecution
According to Al Jazeera, the designation means the international human rights group must stop any work in Russia, and those accused of cooperating with or supporting it will be exposed to criminal prosecution.
No authoritarian assault will silence our fight for justice. Amnesty will never give up or back down in its fight for upholding human rights in Russia and beyond.” – Amnesty International Secretary General Agnès Callamard
This could even include anyone who shares Amnesty International’s reports on social media.
Russia currently recognises 223 entities as “undesirable” organisations, including some prominent independent, as well as Western-backed news outlets and rights groups. Some of those include Transparency International, Latvia-based outlet Meduza, and US-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL).
Nobel Peace Prize in 1977
Amnesty International was established in 1961 to document and report human rights violations around the globe and campaign for the release of those deemed unjustly imprisoned.
The organisation won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1977, having been recognised “for worldwide respect for human rights” and efforts to combat torture, advocate for prisoners of conscience, and promote global adherence to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
In addition to covering human rights violations during the Ukraine war, the group has documented massacres in the Gaza Strip and Israeli apartheid, as well as atrocities in Sudan and many other countries.
The move on Monday came as US President Donald Trump was due to hold a phone call with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky amid efforts to end the fighting.
The diplomatic efforts follow inconclusive direct talks, the first in three years, between delegations from Ukraine and Russia in Turkiye’s Istanbul on Friday.
The brief talks yielded only an agreement to swap 1,000 prisoners of war, according to the heads of both delegations, in what would be their biggest such exchange since the war began, Al Jazeera reported.
Dozens targeted
This designation places Amnesty International among dozens of independent NGOs and media outlets that have been targeted in recent years as part of a sweeping campaign to suppress dissent and dismantle civil society in Russia and prevent international watchdogs and partners from providing support or showing solidarity with them. These moves are the backbone of a pattern whereby the Russian authorities are using authoritarian practices to silence voices, undermine accountability and entrench power, said a statement released by Amnesty International.
