Russia Targets Global LGBTIQ+ Rights Group ILGA World Under ‘Undesirable’ Law

The Russian government has continued its assault on LGBTIQ+ activism and basic freedoms by designating the international LGBTIQ+ rights group ILGA World as an “undesirable” foreign organisation.

According to a statement from ILGA World, the Russian Ministry of Justice communicated the decision on 21 January via its website. The designation reportedly also applies to eight other organisations from the United States and across Europe.

Although the Russian Ministry of Justice website cannot be accessed from Europe or South Africa, ILGA World said independent sources have confirmed the decision.

The organisation added that it has not received any direct communication from Russian authorities and that the official reasons for the designation remain unclear.

A Law Designed to Silence Dissent

First adopted in 2015 and expanded in 2021 and again in 2024, Russia’s law on “undesirable” organisations serves as one of the state’s most repressive tools to silence criticism of the government and restrict the work of civil society.

ILGA World — a global federation of more than 2,000 LGBTIQ+ rights organisations across 170 countries and territories — said the designation aims to restrict any cooperation between the organisation and Russian citizens or entities, including its member organisations operating within the country.

The federation stated that being labelled “undesirable” represents yet another step in Russia’s “persistent harassment and criminalisation of LGBTI human rights defenders and populations.”

ILGA World Condemns the Decision

Julia Ehrt, Executive Director of ILGA World, strongly criticised the move.

“Justice begins with human rights defenders holding governments to account for their actions and their work to build a more just society for everyone. But today, the Russian government caved in to its own fear of accountability and justice,” she said.

Ehrt added that the decision marked “yet another episode in its authoritarian playbook — one where it scapegoats minorities to distract from the ruling class’s unruly accumulation of power and wealth, and suffocates civil society, pushing many people into further hiding.”

Pattern of Escalating Repression

Russia has increasingly targeted organisations supporting LGBTIQ+ rights. In April 2025, authorities declared the Elton John AIDS Foundation an “undesirable” organisation due to its advocacy for LGBTIQ+ equality, effectively outlawing its life-saving HIV and sexual health work in the country.

These actions form part of a broader and intensifying crackdown on LGBTIQ+ communities. In November 2023, the Russian Supreme Court officially designated the so-called “international LGBT movement” as an “extremist organisation”.

Under that ruling, participation in such an organisation can result in prison sentences of up to 12 years. Displaying symbols associated with LGBTIQ+ groups may lead to up to 15 days’ detention for a first offence and up to four years’ imprisonment for repeat offences.

Beyond targeting organisations, Russia has also criminalised the so-called “promotion” of “non-traditional” sexual relationships. The government has banned gender-affirming healthcare and outlawed changes to gender markers on official documents, further stripping transgender people of legal recognition and protection.