Russia bans Amnesty International as an 'undesirable organisation'
Russian authorities have outlawed Amnesty International, meaning involvement with the human rights group is now a criminal offence.
The decision by the prosecutor general's office is the latest crackdown on Kremlin critics, journalists and activists that intensified after Moscow invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
In its statement, the office said that Amnesty International was a "centre for the preparation of global Russophobic projects", and accused it of advocating on behalf of Ukraine.
The designation means the group must stop any work in Russia, and anyone who cooperates or supports it could face prosecution.
Amnesty did not immediately reply to a request for comment.
Founded in 1961 and headquartered in London, Amnesty International campaigns for human rights across the world, including on behalf of those it designates prisoners of conscience.
This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.
Please refresh the page for the fullest version.
You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow us on WhatsApp and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Washington Post
35 minutes ago
- Washington Post
Tracking Trump: The budget bill's projected cost; steel tariffs double; CDC coronavirus adviser quits; and more
A report found that the GOP budget bill will add $2.4 trillion to the deficit. Russia-Ukraine peace is not happening soon, according to President Donald Trump. Tariffs on steel and aluminum doubled to 50 percent. Trump complained he can't make a trade deal with China. The Trump administration ended an emergency abortion requirement.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Detained Salvadoran activist says she won't be silenced
A prominent lawyer and human rights activist arrested in El Salvador said Wednesday that she refused to be silenced by authorities as she appeared in court to face corruption charges. Ruth Lopez is a critic of President Nayib Bukele, and assists families of Venezuelan migrants deported by the United States and imprisoned in the Central American nation. "They won't silence me. I want a public trial," the 47-year-old, who is accused of "embezzlement," told reporters as she was escorted to court by police. "The people deserve to know," she added, carrying a bible. "God and the truth are with me." Lopez was arrested on May 18 and accused of embezzling state funds when she worked for an electoral court a decade ago. Her case was declared confidential by judicial authorities. Defense attorney Pedro Cruz called the accusation "unfounded." "They are afraid of what the accused has been working on and saying in her professional work," he told reporters before the hearing to determine whether Lopez would remain in detention. "Under these conditions, anyone's health would suffer, but she has strength, is certain of her innocence and hopes that justice will be served," Cruz added. A coalition of rights groups including Amnesty International said Lopez's arrest reflected a trend of growing authoritarianism under Bukele, an ally of US President Donald Trump. Lopez runs rights group Cristosal's corruption and justice division and has criticized Bukele's anti-crime policy, which has seen thousands of alleged gangsters arrested. Bukele, who is popular among Salvadorans due to his crackdown on street gangs, has brushed off criticism about his human rights record. "I don't care if they call me a dictator. I'd rather be called a dictator than see Salvadorans killed in the streets," he said during his speech Sunday. Lopez was included in a list of 100 inspiring and influential women around the world last year by the BBC, which praised her for being "passionate about law and justice." Cristosal helps families of Salvadorans caught up in Bukele's crackdown on gangs as well as more than 250 Venezuelans deported by the Trump administration, which paid El Salvador to imprison them. Trump invoked rarely used wartime laws to fly the Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador in March without any court hearings, alleging they belonged to the Tren de Aragua gang, a charge that their families and lawyers deny. mis/dr/st
USA Today
2 hours ago
- USA Today
Putin tells Pope Leo XIV that Ukraine is bent on escalating conflict
Putin tells Pope Leo XIV that Ukraine is bent on escalating conflict A Kremlin statement said President Vladimir Putin and Pope Leo XIV spoke by phone but did not give a date Show Caption Hide Caption JD Vance gives Pope Leo a special American gift Pope Leo XIV was given a Bears jersey by Vice President JD Vance at their first official meeting. MOSCOW, June 4 (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked Pope Leo for offering to help settle the Ukraine conflict and told him Kyiv is intent on "escalating" the war, the Kremlin said on Wednesday. A Kremlin statement said they spoke by phone but did not give a date. President Donald Trump has said the pope offered to host Russia-Ukraine negotiations at the Vatican. "Gratitude was expressed to the Pontiff for his readiness to help settle the crisis, in particular the Vatican's participation in resolving difficult humanitarian issues on a depoliticised basis," the statement said. Putin highlighted "that the Kyiv regime is banking on escalating the conflict and is carrying out sabotage against civilian infrastructure sites on Russian territory," the statement said, describing those acts as terrorism. The Kremlin restated that the conflict's "root causes" must be addressed, a reference to Russian demands that Ukraine adopt a neutral status and NATO rule out eastward expansion. Russia has sought to cultivate good ties with the new pope and his predecessor, Francis, especially on humanitarian issues, like family reunifications. But Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and other officials have said the Vatican is not a suitable site for peace talks between two largely Orthodox Christian countries. The Kremlin noted progress at direct talks this week with Ukrainian negotiators on exchanging prisoners and returning the remains of servicemen. The Russian statement expressed hope the Vatican would "take a more active role" in calling for freedom of religion in Ukraine for members of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church that has historic links to Russia. Ukrainian authorities have launched criminal proceedings against many of its clergy because of suspected sympathies for Moscow. A Kyiv-based Ukrainian Orthodox Church has grown larger in Ukraine during the war.
