The goal of the Forum Russischsprachiger Europäer (FRE) is «to unite native speakers of the Russian language and culture living in Germany, supporters of European liberal-democratic values and opponents of Putin’s dictatorship, aggression and propaganda». The Forum is engaged in helping political prisoners, in Germany it holds actions to support the hostages of the Russian regime and organizes events to communicate with Russian-speaking immigrants in Germany.
In addition, the organization initiated the creation of a declaration of the FRE organizing committee against the information policy of Moscow: the signatories urged not to equate the Russian-speaking inhabitants of Europe and Putin’s supporters.
Name
Forum Russischsprachiger Europäer e.V. (Germany)
Field of activity
Support of the local communities
Status
«Undesirable organization»
Reason for recognition
Forum Russischsprachiger Europäer has been recognized as an "undesirable" organization because according to the State Duma the organization's stance expresses the justification of terrorist activities, nationalist and separatist sentiments and popularizes "non-traditional values".
Year of recognition
2021
Status description
Since 2015, this status can be assigned to foreign and international non-governmental organizations that, in the opinion of the Russian government, pose a threat to the foundations of the constitutional order of the Russian Federation, the defense capability of the country, or state security. Since 2021, this registry also includes those who cooperate with «undesirable organizations».
Who recognizes:
Prosecutor General’s Office in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Cooperating organizations are entered into the register by the Prosecutor General’s Office independently.
Restrictions:
Recognition of an organization as «undesirable» entails a complete ban on its activities in Russia. Russian citizens and Russian legal entities are not allowed to cooperate with it either on or off the territory of Russia.
A website that distributes information materials of an «undesirable organization» may be blocked. Formally, there is no administrative or criminal responsibility for this, but law enforcement authorities may interpret it as participation in the activities of an «undesirable organization».
Administrative liability:
Participation in the activities of an «undesirable organization», a fine of up to 100 thousand rubles (Art. 20.33 of the Code of Administrative Offences).
Criminal liability:
Participation in the activities of an «undesirable organization», if the person has previously been held administratively liable, a fine of up to 500 thousand rubles or imprisonment for up to four years with deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities. The organization of such activities faces imprisonment for up to six years. (Article 284.1 of the Criminal Code)
Providing funds or raising funds for an «undesirable organization» can carry a prison sentence of up to five years.