Russia adds Norway’s rights group to list of ‘undesirable’ organizations

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Russia on Friday added Norway’s Human Rights House Foundation (HRHF) to the list of "undesirable" organizations for attempts to destabilize the situation inside the country, and discredit it internationally.

The Attorney General's Office said in a statement that activities of the HRHF and its so-called "human rights houses and branches" in Ukraine, Lithuania, Georgia, and Armenia are also recognized as "undesirable" on the territory of Russia.

The law office said the decision was made based on a study of documents, showing that the activities of the non-governmental organization (NGO) were directed at violating the Russian territorial integrity, destabilizing the socio-political situation, discrediting the domestic and foreign policy pursued by the country's leadership, and forming public opinion about the need to "unconstitutionally change power."

In addition, the Attorney General's Office noted that since the beginning of Russia's "special military operation," the HRHF and its networks have been discrediting the Russian armed forces.

The provocative agenda of the NGO is aimed at the political and economic isolation of Russia in the international arena, it said, noting that the organization, presenting itself as "independent," is sponsored by the EU governments, including the UK, Norway, Netherlands, Lithuania, Poland, Czech Republic, and Switzerland.