Russia has designated the New York-based Human Rights Foundation, chaired by Yulia Navalnaya, as an 'undesirable organisation,' banning its activities and threatening prosecution for cooperation or content sharing.
The designation of the Human Rights Foundation as 'undesirable' by Russia signifies an escalation in the government's efforts to suppress dissent and control information, particularly concerning criticism of its actions in Ukraine and its political system.
Russia has designated the New York-based Human Rights Foundation (HRF), chaired by Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of late dissident Alexei Navalny, as an 'undesirable organisation'. This designation effectively bans the foundation's activities within Russia and carries the risk of prosecution for any Russian citizens who cooperate with it or share its content.
The Russian prosecutor's office stated that the HRF's designation was due to its 'Tyranny Tracker' project, which labelled Russia as a 'fully authoritarian regime'. The office also accused the HRF of discrediting the Russian armed forces and promoting anti-Russian sanctions, actions that have become criminal offenses in Russia following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Javier El-Hage, HRF Chief Legal and Policy Officer, responded to the ban by stating that the Kremlin's action confirmed the foundation's assessment of President Vladimir Putin's dictatorship. Since 2015, Russia has added hundreds of organisations, including international rights groups, media outlets, and universities, to its 'undesirable' list.