On January 31, the Ministry of Justice added the Anti-War Committee of Russia, Russie-Libertés and La Asociación de Rusos Libres to the list of “undesirable” organizations. Information about this appeared on the department's website.
The Prosecutor General's Office recognized these organizations as “undesirable” on January 11, according to the registry data. State Duma deputy Andrei Lugovoi reported on January 22 that the “Anti-War Committee of Russia” and the associated organizations Russie-Libertés and La Asociación de Rusos Libres were given this status following his denunciation.
The “Anti-War Committee of Russia” was created by public figures in February 2022. Projects include the “Ark” group to help immigrants who left Russia because of the war, the “Rassvet” group for humanitarian aid to Ukraine, and the “Action Committee” group for coordinating the protection of the rights of anti-war citizens.
- Since 2015, according to Russian legislation , foreign or international organizations that, in the opinion of the authorities, pose a “threat to the foundations of the constitutional system of the Russian Federation, the defense capability of the country or the security of the state” can be recognized as “undesirable.” From 2021, organizations that cooperate with already recognized “undesirables” are also recognized as “undesirable.” Such organizations are prohibited from operating in the country, and a number of other restrictions are also imposed on them - for example, they are not allowed to distribute information materials in Russia. The decision on recognition is made by the Prosecutor General's Office in agreement with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. As of August 2023, there are more than 100 undesirable organizations on the Ministry of Justice register .
- For participation in the activities of an “undesirable” organization, administrative liability is provided (Article 20.33 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, the maximum penalty is a fine of up to 15 thousand rubles for citizens), and with repeated participation, criminal liability (Part 1 of Article 284.1 of the Criminal Code, the maximum penalty is imprisonment for up to four years). Article 284.1 also applies to financing or organizing the activities of an “undesirable” organization, in which case the punishment can be up to five and six years in prison, respectively.
- Human rights organization Amnesty International called the "undesirable organizations" law a way to "vilify independent NGOs, deprive them of funding and impose harsh penalties on their members." The law, according to human rights activists, is used “to combat dissent and stifle freedom of expression and independent civil society organizations in Russia.” The UN Human Rights Committee recommended that Russia repeal or revise legislation on “undesirable organizations.”