"Undesirables" Blacklisted by the Kremlin

"[Anyone affiliated with Carleton University's Norman Paterson School of International Affairs] could be subject to criminal punishment, including a possible prison sentence [if they travel to Russian territory]."

"We strongly advise anyone with a NPSIA affiliation [faculty, students, staff and alumni] to avoid travelling to Russia or Belarus and to curtail research and other partnerships with anyone based in Russia or Belarus at this time."

"We are working with our community and partners to review any implications the decision may have."

Carleton University media representative

Carleton University in Ottawa. Photo by Tony Caldwell /POSTMEDIA

"Due to the impacts of the armed conflict with Ukraine and the risk of terrorism [Canadians should avoid all travel to Russia]."

"If you are in Russia,  you should leave while commercial means are still available. If you remain in Russia maintain a low profile."

"Canadians holding Russian citizenship may be subject to call-up for mandatory military service."

Global Affairs Canada travel advisory 

 

"Putin has long tried to regulate activities of NGOs receiving foreign funding."

"[Russian citizens may be fined or imprisoned for engaging with blacklisted entities]."

"Undesirable [organizations have to cease operating in Russia and may face fines if they do not]."

Nicole Jackson, associate professor of international studies, Simon Fraser University

Carleton University's international affairs program has been labelled an 'undesirable organization' by Russia's Ministry of Justice. Russia's General Prosecutor's Office has also issued a press release alerting Russians that the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at University of Toronto has been deemed by Russian authorities to be 'undesirable'. The Kremlin states that both these Canadian universities are part of a broad Western campaign to "discredit the Russian Federation and incite anti-Russian sentiments".

According to the Kremlin's statement both universities have met with leaders of "unfriendly countries with anti-Russian orientation". The Canada-based non- governmental organization, Russian-Canadian Democratic Alliance is also listed by the Kremlin as 'undesirable'.

 

Since Russia's invasion of February 2022 launched into Ukraine, its two-year-and-counting assaults have killed and injured thousands in Ukraine. Canada imposed sanctions on Russian individuals and organizations, provoking Russian condemnation and ire. Along with the United States and the United Kingdom, Canada also recently announced a new group of sanctions in the wake of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny's death, when ten individuals and 153 entities increased Canada's Russian-sanction list.  

Canadian public figures, in turn, including provincial and federal politicians, Governor General Mary Simon and Canadian athletes who support banning Russian athletes from competing in the 2024 Olympics, have been sanctioned by the Kremlin. 

Reports by Radio Free Europe have it that the Kremlin adopted its "undesirable organizations" law in 2014 for the purpose of targeting media outlets and organizations engaging in political, cultural and educational activities, along with their support for democratic institutions. As one of more than 140 organizations on the 'undesirable' list Radio Free Europe enjoys the distinction of being in the Kremlin's bad books.

The "undesirable organization" label has been applied to dozens of foreign groups since Moscow began using the classification and effectively bans organizations outright.

"Essentially it is about control -- [Vladimir] Putin consistently increasing actions to clamp down on dissenting views and attempting to control the narrative."

"More broadly, it is another way that Putin is showing his anger and impotence at being unable to change Canadian foreign policy."

"[Russia's move, targeting post-secondary institutions, could also be seen as an] assault on academic freedom."

"[Canadian institutions should] warn their people not to travel to Russia, and be careful how they communicate with those inside Russia [so as to avoid] administrative and criminal responsibility."

"[Carleton and University of Toronto are] just the latest in a very long list of Putin's targets."

Nicole Jackson, associate professor of international studies, Simon Fraser University