Russia Bans Amnesty International, Says a "Hub For the Preparation of Global Russophobic Projects"

On May 19, 2025, Russia’s Prosecutor General officially designated Amnesty International as an “undesirable organization,” effectively banning the global human rights NGO from operating within the country. Founded in 1961 and headquartered in London, Amnesty International is known for its advocacy on behalf of prisoners of conscience and for documenting human rights abuses worldwide.

The Russian authorities accused Amnesty International’s London office of being a “hub for the preparation of global Russophobic projects” and alleged that the organization supports Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict between the two countries. The Prosecutor General’s office further claimed that Amnesty’s activities aim to intensify military confrontation and promote Russia’s political and economic isolation.

Under Russia’s 2015 law on “undesirable organizations,” groups deemed a threat to national security are banned, and Russian citizens who cooperate with or financially support them face penalties of up to five years in prison. Amnesty International joins a growing list of over 220 entities, including independent news outlets and rights groups, that have been blacklisted under this law.

This move marks the latest escalation in Russia’s systematic crackdown on dissent, civil society, and international organizations, which has intensified significantly since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Human rights advocates have widely criticized the designation as part of Moscow’s efforts to suppress criticism and silence opposition voices.

Amnesty International has not yet responded to the ban. The designation forces the organization to cease all activities in Russia and exposes those who collaborate with it to potential legal prosecution.

This ban underscores the challenging environment for human rights work in Russia amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and domestic repression.

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