Russia has classified three German non-governmental organizations as undesirable and thus effectively banned them from operating. The Center for Liberal Modernism, the Association of German-Russian Exchange and the Forum of Russian-Speaking Europeans are affected, the Tass agency reported on Wednesday, citing the public prosecutor's office. The investigators determined that the activities of these associations represented a threat to the constitutional order and the security of Russia. The decision had been handed over to the Ministry of Justice, which kept the list of undesirable organizations.
Foreign Minister Heiko Maas described the classification as a “severe setback for our efforts to achieve a better relationship with Russia”.
The SPD politician spoke of a "particularly disconcerting and unacceptable" decision.
"I therefore call on Russia to reverse this step and to promote the free exchange of civil society," he said, according to a statement.
All three organizations are based in Berlin.
The Center for Liberal Modernism describes itself as a think tank for democracy, freedom and openness to the world.
Among other things, it publishes reports, analyzes and contributions to the debate on Russia and works with the Sakharov Center in Moscow.
"Political arbitrary act"
The organization described the decision as an "arbitrary political act".
"It aims to cut our cooperation with Russian partners with the stroke of a pen," said Managing Director Ralf Fücks.
"We have never made a secret of our critical stance towards the Putin regime, we are all the more committed to working with Russian civil society." Behind this is the dream of a democratic and European Russia, said Fücks.
The German-Russian exchange has been organizing voluntary services together with a partner organization in St. Petersburg for years.
According to its website, the Forum of Russian-Speaking Europeans opposes the Kremlin's policy of co-opting the interests of Russian-speaking people in western countries.
Human rights activists repeatedly criticize Russia for abusing its laws to hinder the development of a cosmopolitan civil society and to silence activists. A whole series of laws are being criticized. Anyone who, as an organization or person, receives money from abroad, for example, has to be classified as a "foreign agent" in Russia. Critics complain that non-governmental organizations are branded in this way. In addition, citizens seeking help would be deterred from getting involved with “foreign agents”.