Russia Declares Norwegian Helsinki Committee 'Undesirable' Amid Accusations of Spreading 'False Information'

Prosecutor General's Office of Russia

The Russian Prosecutor General's Office has officially designated the Norwegian Helsinki Committee (NHC) as an "undesirable organization." The decision, made on June 24, 2025, follows an appeal from State Duma deputy Andrey Lugovoy, who accused the human rights group of disseminating "false information" about Russia's actions in Ukraine.

The Norwegian Helsinki Committee, founded in 1977, is an organization dedicated to upholding human rights principles. Its work is rooted in the Helsinki Final Act (also known as the Helsinki Accords), signed by over 35 states in 1975. A core tenet of these accords is that respect for human rights is fundamental to fostering international peace and understanding between nations.

According to Deputy Lugovoy, the NHC has been actively spreading what he terms "false information" regarding alleged extrajudicial killings, torture, and acts of violence committed by Russian military personnel in Ukraine. Furthermore, Lugovoy stated that the organization advocates for the establishment of a special tribunal to investigate aggression against Ukraine and seeks to bring Russian authorities before an international court.

"This organization has been operating against our country for longer than some current activists have been alive. But their time is now up," Lugovoy asserted, as reported by Currenttime.

The "undesirable organization" designation effectively bans the Norwegian Helsinki Committee's activities within Russia, making it illegal for Russian citizens and organizations to cooperate with it. This move is consistent with a broader trend in Russia to restrict the operations of foreign non-governmental organizations, particularly those involved in human rights advocacy or perceived as critical of state policies. The declaration signals a further tightening of the space for civil society and independent oversight within the country.