Russia’s Prosecutor General’s Office brands human rights group Agora ‘undesirable’

Russia’s Prosecutor General’s Office has deemed the work of international human rights group Agora in Russia to be “undesirable”, Russia’s state news agency RIA Novosti reports.

The head of the organisation is Russian lawyer Pavel Chikov. He was previously added to the list of “foreign agents” by Russia’s Justice Ministry.

According to the Russian legislature, there is punishment for collaborating with “undesirable” organisations, up to criminal liability.

Agora is a human rights organisation that unites over 50 lawyers from half the regions of Russia who are working on cases of human rights violations. Their main task is defending Russians, including civil activists, journalists, bloggers, as well as non-governmental organisations from illegal actions of state bodies. The European Court of Human Rights announced rulings for over 30 cases filed by Agora.

On 19 May, Russia’s Prosecutor General’s Office pronounced Greenpeace to be an “undesirable” organisation. According to the Russian state body, the organisation “presents a threat to the foundations of the constitutional order and security of the Russian Federation” and “is trying to interfere with implementation of infrastructure and energy projects beneficial to the country”.

In response, Greenpeace announced it was closing the Russian branch.