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Greenpeace criminalised and forced to disband within Russia

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Greenpeace has been forcibly liquidated within Russia, meaning the continuation of its activities would be illegal and put staff at risk of prosecution.

The term ‘foreign agent’, once synonymous with the Soviet era, is returning with worrying regularity within Russia, leaving many to believe civil freedoms are being systematically bulldozed.

The latest to be branded an ‘undesirable organisation’ by Moscow authorities is Greenpeace, effectively forcing the ecological outfit to disband or face legal consequences.

This liquidation represents the nation’s most significant attack on Russian democracy since the ordered dissolution of its largest human rights group, Memorial International, in 2021.

‘This is an absurd, irresponsible, and destructive step that has nothing to do with the protection of the country’s interests,’ Greenpeace stated on its Russian website – which now bares a warning that sharing or citing its material may create the ‘basis for liability.’

Like the procession of exiled independent media firms and rights groups before it, Greenpeace had been targeted for apparently attempting to ‘change power in the country,’ by spreading anti-state propaganda.

The Office of the General Prosecutor said that permitting the group to continue its operations ‘posed a threat to the foundations of the constitutional order and security’ of Russia.

Completely contrary to this, Greenpeace believes the decision was enforced due to the fact it ‘tried to prevent the implementation of plans that destroy nature.’ Given Russia ranks second only to Saudi Arabia for crude oil exportation, we reckon there’s probably something in that assertion.

Despite Greenpeace’s long list of successful projects, including the protection of the world’s largest and deepest freshwater lake, Baikal, volunteers and supporters will no longer be able to unite or even collaborate on future ecological missions without risking prosecution.

Seemingly destined to go the same way as the World Wildlife Fund, which was also labelled a ‘foreign agent’ in March, Greenpeace’s mission to secure environmental protections will now rely on individuals carrying out their own work.

‘We have trained up quite a few volunteers, they have their own skills. Volunteer firefighters, for example, can fight fires on their own in their own areas,’ says Mikhail Kreindlin, a nature specialist formerly of the organisation since 2001.

Despite the sizable knock to Russia’s civil liberties, Greenpeace continues to operate in 55 countries. Exactly how long before the next eco-outfit is ousted, however, no one knows.

Editor in Chief London, UK

I’m Jamie (He/Him), the Editor in Chief at Thred. Keeping up with gaming and revolutionary technology is my forte, but when away from my keyboard, you’ll probably find me wrapped around a large Tango ice blast at the latest mediocre horror flick. Follow me on Twitter, LinkedIn and drop me some ideas/feedback via email.

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