Russia has designated Amnesty International as an “undesirable” organisation, barring it from operating within the country. The Prosecutor General’s Office accused the UK-based human rights group of promoting “Russophobic” narratives and supporting efforts to politically and economically isolate Russia, according to state media.
Amnesty strongly rejected the allegations, calling the move part of Moscow’s broader campaign to silence dissent. Secretary General Agnès Callamard said the organisation would continue advocating for justice and human rights globally.
The designation makes any association with Amnesty—including sharing its reports on social media—a criminal offence in Russia. Accordong to reports, Amnesty joins over 220 organisations now banned under Russia’s expanding crackdown on civil society since the Ukraine war began.
The move coincides with renewed diplomatic efforts, including a call between Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and former U.S. President Donald Trump. Recent peace talks in Istanbul resulted in a prisoner swap deal but failed to produce a ceasefire agreement.
