Russia designated U.S.-based Crimean Tatar Foundation an “undesirable organisation”

The Russian Prosecutor General’s Office has designated the U.S.-based Crimean Tatar Foundation, which supports the Crimean Tatar community and Ukraine, an “undesirable organisation”.

The Russian Prosecutor General’s Office building. Photo from pro-Russian media

According to Russian prosecutors, the foundation, established in 2021 and registered in New York, allegedly engages in activities that “pose a threat” to Russia. The grounds cited by the occupation authorities include its assistance to Ukraine, particularly the provision of drones, generators, communications equipment, vehicles and other supplies.

Russian prosecutors also claim that the Crimean Tatar Foundation organises lectures, conferences and exhibitions covering the deportation of the Crimean Tatar people, Russia’s occupation of Crimea and its war against Ukraine.

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The status of an “undesirable organisation” effectively prohibits the organisation from operating in Russia and temporarily occupied Crimea. Cooperating with such organisations or distributing their materials may result in administrative or criminal prosecution.

Russia systematically uses its laws on “undesirable organisations” and “foreign agents” to exert pressure on independent media outlets, human rights initiatives and organisations working to protect the rights of Crimean Tatars and document human rights violations in occupied Crimea. For example, the Human Rights Centre ZMINA was added to Russia’s register of “undesirable organisations” in November 2024. The Russian Prosecutor General’s Office accused the organisation of “discrediting Russia’s policies” and “destabilising the socio-political situation”.

In May 2022, the Russian Prosecutor General’s Office designated the Crimean Human Rights Group an “undesirable organisation”.

Earlier this year, the Russian Ministry of Justice added the civic initiative Crimean Solidarity to Russia’s register of “foreign agents”.

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