MOSCOW (dpa-AFX) – Russia has classified the environmental organization Greenpeace as “undesirable”. That is tantamount to a ban. The non-governmental organization (NGO) announced on Friday that it was forced to stop its work to protect nature in the largest country on earth. The Prosecutor General’s Office in Moscow said the NGO was endangering national security by interfering in Russia’s affairs. The organization categorically rejected this. In Russia, for example, Greenpeace is committed to reforms to prevent the devastating forest fires that occur every year.
Numerous NGOs committed to civil society or the environment complain about political persecution by the authorities. “The liquidation of Greenpeace in Russia is an absurd, irresponsible and destructive move that has nothing in common with protecting the country’s interests,” Greenpeace told Russia. The NGO has always worked to ensure that no destruction of the environment is allowed.
Politicians in the region around Lake Baikal, the world’s largest freshwater reservoir, had already campaigned for a ban on Greenpeace last year. They want to intensify the economic use of the lake.
According to the statement, the Attorney General’s Office regards criticism of infrastructure or energy projects as harmful. Greenpeace’s political positions are aimed at “destroying Russia’s economic foundations,” it said. Information campaigns or protests that are not permitted are aimed at stirring up a negative mood in society and preventing projects.
With the start of the Russian war against Ukraine, Greenpeace activists also called for the economic isolation of “our country and the tightening of sanctions”. “The efforts are aimed at destabilizing the socio-political situation and bringing about a change of power in the country in an unconstitutional manner.”
The Russian government has also branded dozens of NGOs, independent media and people with the “foreign agent” label. Numerous lawsuits are pending against the decision of the Department of Justice./mau/DP/nas