Russian authorities have officially labeled Human Rights Watch an "undesirable organization." This decision makes the work of this international human rights group illegal within Russia. The ruling is based on a law from 2015, and it means that any cooperation with or support for the group is now a crime. All of the organization's activities in Russia must stop immediately. Furthermore, both individuals and other groups who continue to work with Human Rights Watch could now face criminal charges.
The prosecutor general's office announced the ban on Friday, stating it was necessary to protect Russia's national security. This action is the most recent step in a long-running campaign against people and groups seen as critics of the government. This campaign has become much stronger since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The government frequently uses laws to silence independent voices, including journalists, activists, and organizations that question its policies.
In response, a senior director at Human Rights Watch, Philippe Bolopion, said his organization has worked for thirty years to report on human rights in Russia. He argued that while his group's mission has not changed, the Russian government has become significantly more authoritarian. He also pointed to what he described as increasing political repression and documented war crimes committed by Russian forces in Ukraine.
At the same time, Russian authorities have taken other legal actions. They have started a case to label the feminist protest group Pussy Riot as "extremist." This group is known for its anti-government performances, and its members have been convicted of crimes in the past.
In another major development, Russia's Supreme Court has decided to call the Anti-Corruption Foundation a "terrorist" organization. This foundation was created by the late opposition leader Alexey Navalny, who died earlier this year in a prison camp. The court's ruling targets the group's international arm, which was set up after the original Russian organization was banned in 2021.
Alongside these moves, Russian officials are also discussing a potential nationwide ban on the messaging app WhatsApp. Together, these actions are dramatically reducing the space for independent civil society and political opposition within the country.