Russia Bans Human Rights Watch
THECONSCIENCE NG reports that the Russian government has added Human Rights Watch (HRW) to its list of “undesirable” organisations, effectively prohibiting the New York-based human rights group from operating within the country.
The Russian authorities did not state the reason for the designation. HRW, which was compelled to close its Russian offices in 2022, has yet to issue an official response.
Since the start of its military offensive in Ukraine in February 2022, Russia’s Justice Ministry has outlawed dozens of organisations seen as critical of Kremlin policies or Moscow’s conduct in the conflict.
Human Rights Watch, known for documenting and publishing findings on human rights abuses globally, has repeatedly criticised Russia’s actions in Ukraine and accused its forces of committing numerous violations—allegations the Kremlin denies.
Other international groups previously labelled “undesirable” in Russia include Greenpeace, the World Wildlife Fund, Transparency International and the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
Under Russian law, cooperating with or providing financial support to organisations on the “undesirable” list is a criminal offence.
