The Geneva Council for Human Rights and Liberties unequivocally condemns the Russian Federation’s decision to ban Amnesty International, designating it as an “undesirable organization.” This move represents not only a grave assault on the principles of human rights and civil society but also a dangerous escalation in Russia’s systematic campaign to silence independent voices and suppress dissent.
On May 19, 2025, Russia’s Prosecutor General announced the prohibition of Amnesty International, a globally respected human rights organization founded in 1961 and headquartered in London. The ban was enacted under Russia’s 2015 “undesirable organizations” law, which allows authorities to criminalize the activities of foreign organizations deemed a threat to national security or public order. This law has been widely criticized by international human rights advocates as a tool for repression, with over 200 organizations-including media outlets, environmental groups, and anti-corruption NGOs-now banned under its provisions.
The designation carries severe consequences: any Russian citizen or resident who cooperates with, supports, or even shares materials from Amnesty International now risks prosecution, with penalties ranging from fines to prison sentences of up to five years. This extends to activities as minor as reposting reports on social media.
On which basis Russia ban Amnesty International?
The Russian Prosecutor General’s office accused Amnesty International of being a “hub for the development of global Russophobic initiatives” and claimed that the organization was supporting Ukraine in the ongoing war, justifying the crimes of “Ukrainian neo-Nazis,” and calling for Russia’s political and economic isolation. These allegations are consistent with the Kremlin’s broader narrative, which seeks to portray independent human rights organizations as hostile foreign agents and threats to national security.
Amnesty International’s Response
Amnesty International has responded with defiance and renewed commitment to its mission. Secretary General Agnès Callamard issued a statement emphasizing that the ban is part of a broader effort by the Russian government to silence dissent and isolate civil society:
“This decision is part of the Russian government’s broader effort to silence dissent and isolate civil society. In a country where scores of activists and dissidents have been imprisoned, killed or exiled, where independent media has been smeared, blocked or forced to self-censor, and where civil society organisations have been outlawed or liquidated, you must be doing something right if the Kremlin bans you.
The 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 to work to ensure that people in Russia are able to enjoy their human rights without discrimination. We will keep documenting and speaking worldwide about the war crimes committed in Ukraine by Russia. We will redouble our efforts to expose Russia’s egregious human rights violations both at home and abroad.”
Amnesty International has pledged to continue its work, not only in documenting abuses within Russia but also in advocating for the rights of those affected by Russia’s actions in Ukraine and elsewhere.
Broader Crackdown on Civil Society
The ban on Amnesty International is not an isolated incident, but part of a sweeping campaign by Russian authorities to dismantle civil society and eliminate independent oversight. Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Kremlin has intensified its repression of dissenters, journalists, and activists. Independent media have been shuttered or forced into exile, and prominent opposition figures, such as Alexei Navalny and his associates, have been imprisoned or driven out of the country.
The “undesirable organizations” law, alongside the expanded “foreign agents” legislation, has been wielded as a blunt instrument to criminalize virtually any form of independent association or criticism of the government. In April 2022, President Putin signed further amendments to the law, targeting not only organizations but also individuals who support actions by international groups or foreign governments deemed hostile to Russia.
Impact on Russian Society and Human Rights Defenders
The consequences of this crackdown are profound and far-reaching:
- Legal Risks: Any Russian citizen or resident who cooperates with Amnesty International, even indirectly, faces criminal prosecution, fines, and imprisonment.
- Chilling Effect: The ban will further intimidate civil society actors, journalists, and ordinary citizens, deterring them from engaging in human rights work or expressing dissenting opinions.
- Loss of Oversight: By eliminating independent organizations like Amnesty International, Russia is erasing mechanisms for the documentation and exposure of human rights abuses, both within its borders and in occupied territories.
- International Isolation: The move deepens Russia’s isolation from the international community and undermines its commitments under international human rights treaties.
The international community and human rights experts have consistently condemned Russia’s systematic assault on civil society. United Nations human rights experts have described the stigmatisation, harassment, and imprisonment of civil society actors as part of a “decisive and systematic clampdown”. They have called on the Russian government to halt such restrictive measures and to respect the rights to freedom of expression and association:
“By preventing these organisations from operating in the country, Russia is further hindering the monitoring of human rights violations and the protection of open and just societies, with full respect for fundamental freedoms.”
The UK, European Union, and other democratic states have similarly denounced Russia’s repressive actions, urging the international community to support Russian civil society and hold the Kremlin accountable for its violations.
The Role and Legacy of Amnesty International
Amnesty International is one of the world’s most respected human rights organizations, with a legacy of exposing abuses, advocating for prisoners of conscience, and campaigning for justice in over 150 countries. Its work in Russia has been critical in documenting political repression, torture, and the erosion of fundamental freedoms.
The Kremlin’s decision to ban Amnesty International is a testament to the organization’s effectiveness and the threat it poses to authoritarian regimes that rely on secrecy and impunity. As Secretary General Callamard noted, “you must be doing something right if the Kremlin bans you”.
Geneva Council Condemns
The Geneva Council for Human Rights and Liberties condemns in the strongest possible terms Russia’s ban on Amnesty International. This action is a flagrant violation of the rights to freedom of association, expression, and information, and it represents a direct attack on the international human rights system.
We call on the Russian authorities to immediately reverse this decision, repeal the “undesirable organizations” law, and allow independent civil society organizations to operate freely and without fear of reprisal. We urge the international community to redouble its support for Russian human rights defenders, journalists, and civil society actors-both within Russia and in exile.
History has shown that repression cannot silence the truth. As Amnesty International has vowed, the fight for justice and human rights in Russia will continue-undeterred and undiminished. The Geneva Council stands in solidarity with all those who risk their freedom and safety to defend human rights in the face of authoritarianism.
