Russian Justice Ministry Designates Human Rights Watch as an 'Undesirable Organization'

On November 28, 2025, the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation officially added the American human rights advocacy group, Human Rights Watch (HRW), to its registry of 'undesirable organizations.' This action stems from a 2015 federal law, and it effectively criminalizes any ongoing activities by HRW within the nation's borders. Observers view this move as a significant escalation in the tightening grip on civil society and international monitoring efforts within Russia.

Human Rights Watch, established in 1978, has a long history of documenting human rights abuses across more than 70 countries globally. The organization maintained a presence in Russia starting in 1992. Following the full-scale conflict in Ukraine in February 2022, HRW notably opened a Moscow office, focusing its resources specifically on recording the actions of Russian military forces. Interestingly, HRW itself had already announced its decision to cease operations in Russia on November 10, 2025, just days before the official prohibition was enacted.

The implications for Russian citizens who collaborate with HRW are substantial. The legislation mandates administrative penalties for involvement, with the possibility of criminal prosecution arising from repeated offenses or the provision of financial support. Specifically, organizing activities for a designated 'undesirable organization' can carry a prison sentence of up to six years. Currently, the Russian blacklist features over 275 entities, including prominent international bodies such as Transparency International and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

Reacting to the designation, HRW's Asia Executive Director, Phil Ballou, stated that the ban clearly signals Russia's rejection of international human rights standards. In his assessment, the government's primary objective is to halt the documentation of alleged war crimes and suppress any dissenting voices. This is not the first time the organization has faced state action; in 2022, Roskomnadzor, acting on a request from the Prosecutor General's Office, blocked the HRW website due to its reporting on civilian casualties in Ukraine.

The legislative framework underpinning this decision, adopted in 2015, grants authorities the power to label foreign and international NGOs as undesirable if they are deemed a threat to the 'foundations of the constitutional order, the defense capability, or the security of the state.' This law has previously been invoked against organizations like Amnesty International. For ordinary citizens, the legal ramifications extend to prohibitions on possessing materials from the 'undesirable organization' for the purpose of distribution. Furthermore, individuals may encounter difficulties with banking transactions if those transfers could be construed as providing financial services to the banned entity.