Russia on Friday declared Greenpeace undesirable, a move that effectively bans the environmental organization’s activities in the country, amid a crackdown on critical voices since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
In a statement, the Russian prosecutor general’s office accused the Netherlands-based non-governmental organization (NGO) of posing “a threat to the foundations of the constitutional order and security” of Russia.
He also considered that, since the start of the war against Ukraine, 15 months ago, Greenpeace has been working to spread “anti-Russian propaganda” and promote “greater economic isolation” and the strengthening of international sanctions.
Prosecutors accused Greenpeace of financing Russian organizations described by the authorities as “foreign agents”, of encouraging interference in Russia’s internal affairs and of trying to “undermine the economic foundations” of the country.
According to the accusation, the NGO develops campaigns to “prevent the realization of profitable infrastructure and energy projects” for Russia.
The Russian section of Greenpeace, created in 1992, has worked to raise awareness about climate change, fight forest fires, fight pollution and preserve animal species in danger of extinction, according to the French agency AFP.
The Public Ministry referred the case to the Ministry of Justice, so that Greenpeace could be included in the list of NGOs whose activities are recognized as undesirable on Russian territory.
Russian legislation allows limiting or prohibiting the activity of organizations based on ambiguous considerations related to the origin of the respective funds or activities in the country, according to the Spanish news agency Europa Press.
In general, organizations whose work is considered contrary to the interests of the State or that compromises national security are attacked.
The lawsuit against Greenpeace was launched by a group of Russian parliamentarians in November 2022, nine months after Russia invaded Ukraine.
The decision announced now resulted from the “study of materials” sent by the deputies who filed the complaint against the NGO.
In Russia, according to the specialized NGO OVD-Info, organizations classified as undesirable are prohibited from opening structures, carrying out projects and disclosing information.
Since the start of the offensive in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the Russian authorities have considerably accelerated the crackdown on critical voices, according to AFP.
Far from being limited to the political opposition, this repression affects all areas, such as cultural circles and environmental organizations.
In March, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) was classified as a “foreign agent” by Moscow, a stigma that makes its activities in Russia very difficult.
Source: TSF
