Russian Federation: Russian authorities designate the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) as an “undesirable” organisation

The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders (OMCT-FIDH) has been informed about the designation of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), the world's largest network of organisations working against torture, as an "undesirable organisation" by the Russian authorities. According to the information received, on 17 April 2026, the Prosecutor General's Office of the Russian Federation declared OMCT an "undesirable organisation", and on 6 May 2026, the Ministry of Justice formally added OMCT to the official registry of banned entities.

Under the repressive law on "undesirable organisations", adopted in 2012 and subsequently expanded, the Russian Federation's Prosecutor General's Office has the power to declare as "undesirable" any foreign or international organisation deemed to pose "a threat to the foundations of the constitutional order of the Russian Federation, the defence capability of the country or the security of the state". Following such designation, organisations are effectively "Undesirable organisations" prohibited from carrying out any activities in the country, including disseminating information, publishing materials, organising events, conducting financial transactions, and providing financial or other assistance to local organisations and individuals. Any person or organisation cooperating with an organisation declared "undesirable" by Russia - including from outside Russia -may face administrative sanctions and criminal liability under the Russian law. Under Articles 20.33 of the Russian Code of Administrative Offences and 284.1 of the Russian Criminal Code, individuals and legal entities may face fines, and individuals risk prison sentences of up to six years for participating in, financing, or allegedly facilitating the activities of such organisations.

The Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe has expressed serious concerns regarding the legislation on "undesirable organisations", citing the lack of legal certainty, the discretionary powers granted to prosecutorial authorities, and the absence of prior judicial review. In practice, the vague and overly broad wording of the law has resulted in the prosecution of individuals merely for reposting materials published by organisations later designated as "undesirable", including content shared prior to the designation.

OMCT has for decades worked on the situation in Russia and on the countries affected by Russia's aggression to document torture, support victims of grave human rights violations, protect human rights defenders at risk and promote accountability under international law. OMCT's Global Torture Index ranks the Russian Federation at a very high risk for torture, identifying the nation as among the most severe for systemic police brutality, prison abuses, and total impunity. Similarly, OMCT's project SOS Defenders has documented cases of human rights defenders who have been arbitrarily detained in Russia and pushing for their immediate and unconditional releases. The Observatory underlines all of these activities constitute legitimate human rights work.

The Observatory notes that the designation of OMCT takes place in the broader context of an escalating crackdown on independent civil society, human rights defenders, and international cooperation. Several organisations connected to OMCT's work have previously been targeted under the same legislation, including Amnesty International in May 2025, ProtectDefenders.eu in August 2025, as well as Human Rights Watch, the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the Civic Solidarity Platform (CSP) in November 2025, and earlier this year Trial International and the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ). The list of "undesirable organisations", maintained by the Russian Ministry of Justice, now includes more than 350 organisations, among them independent media outlets, international NGOs, and human rights groups.

The Observatory condemns in the strongest terms the designation of OMCT as an "undesirable organisation", which constitutes a blatant attempt to obstruct legitimate human rights work, intimidate those cooperating with international civil society organisations, especially in the fight against torture.

The Observatory reiterates that the application of this legislation constitutes a clear violation of the right to freedom of association protected under Article 22 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

The Observatory urges the Russian authorities to immediately reverse this decision, repeal the legislation on "undesirable organisations" and related repressive laws, including the "foreign agents" law, and ensure in all circumstances that human rights organisations, including foreign and international NGOs, are able to carry out their legitimate activities without fear of reprisals.

The Observatory further calls on the international community and international civil society to stand in solidarity with the organisations and human rights defenders targeted under these repressive frameworks, and to continue supporting efforts aimed at documenting violations and ensuring accountability for torture and other grave human rights abuses.

The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders (the Observatory) was created in 1997 by FIDH and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT). The objective of this programme is to prevent or remedy situations of repression against human rights defenders. FIDH and OMCT are both members of ProtectDefenders.eu, the European Union Human Rights Defenders Mechanism implemented by international civil society.