From: 04/09/2022 16:47
“Relentless repression”, a “step towards totalitarianism”: the ban on NGOs and foundations in Russia was heavily criticized by the federal government, the EU and organizations. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty plan to continue their work on the ground.
The ban on several international human rights organizations and foundations affiliated with German parties in Russia has drawn sharp criticism. The Russian government is showing the world its true colors once again, a spokeswoman for the Federal Foreign Ministry said.
“With targeted bans and censorship, all voices working for transparency and truth, justice, human rights and democracy are consistently silenced – at the expense of the Russian people.” The “relentless suppression of dissent within Russia” is a reflection of the Russian regime’s aggression towards the outside world.
EU criticism
The European Union also reacted to the decision. “Nothing in the activities of these organizations, which focus on protecting the rights and freedoms of citizens, justifies such a step,” said the European External Action Service in Brussels. With the ban, the Russian political leadership continues to deny the people the right to freedom of expression and freedom of thought.
The Ministry of Justice in Moscow had previously stated that the Heinrich Böll Foundation, the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation, among others, had their records withdrawn. Human rights organizations Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch are also accused of alleged “violations of the applicable legislation of the Russian Federation”. A total of 15 organizations are affected.
Russia is closing offices of some foreign organizations
Tagesschau 03:12, 9 April 2022
“Moving from authoritarianism to totalitarianism”
The board of directors of the FDP-affiliated Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom in Berlin had previously spoken of yet another step “from authoritarianism to totalitarianism”. The chairman of the left-wing Bundestag faction, Dietmar Bartsch, called it “a fatal sign”. Faced with Putin’s terrible war, Russia and Europe must do everything possible to maintain dialogue.
The Greens also condemned the Kremlin’s actions. The group’s leader, Britta Haßelmann, said Putin fears organizations and foundations “because they create spaces for exchange, denounce human rights violations, bring facts and truths behind the Kremlin’s propaganda facade and support the commitment of civil society.”
Amnesty International Secretary General Agnes Callamard said the organizations were “punished for defending human rights and telling the truth to Russian authorities”. However, the Moscow government is wrong if it believes that by closing the Moscow office it will be able to prevent Amnesty from “documenting and uncovering human rights violations”.
Human Rights Watch expressed a similar view. Since the start of the Russian war against Ukraine, Moscow has struggled to silence critical voices. Human Rights Watch has been active in Russia for 30 years, “and we will continue our work,” the organization announced. “This new Iron Curtain will not stop us from defending the rights of all Russians and protecting civilians in Ukraine,” said director Kenneth Roth.