Russia faces criticism for outlawing the Nazi war crimes foundation in Germany.
The Remembrance, Responsibility and Future Foundation (EVZ), a German organisation founded in 2000 to provide support to victims of Nazi crimes and their descendants, has been forced to cease its programs in both Russia and Belarus. This decision comes as a result of the Russian government declaring the EVZ as 'undesirable', primarily due to accusations of a politically biased anti-Russian stance.
The Russian Prosecutor General’s Office has accused the EVZ of supporting Ukraine in the ongoing conflict, cultivating Russophobia, promoting discrimination against victims of Ukrainian punitive groups, and undermining Russia's sovereignty by escalating armed conflict and radicalizing society.
Since 2024, Russia has discontinued funding for EVZ’s program aimed at relatives of victims of Nazi collaborators. In 2025, the foundation suspended its Russian representative’s membership. As a result, the EVZ foundation has been forced to cease its programs in both Russia and Belarus and find alternative ways to support survivors of Nazi persecution.
The implications for EVZ and its associates are significant. The 'undesirable' designation effectively bars the foundation from operating in Russia and criminalizes cooperation with it within the country. Russian nationals who work for, fund, or collaborate with the foundation potentially face prosecution.
The EVZ has condemned the classification and highlighted the increasing repression it and its partners face in Russia and Belarus, which compelled them to cease programs in these countries. Germany has also condemned Russia’s ban, emphasizing EVZ’s role in compensating Nazi victims and criticizing the politicized reasoning behind Russia’s decision.
Similar actions have been taken against other German organisations in Russia, reflecting broader political tensions. Organisations labeled as 'undesirable' in Russia are required to shut down, and individuals who work for, fund, or collaborate with them can face prosecution.
In summary:
| Reason for "undesirable" status | Implications for EVZ and associates | |---------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------| | Accused of anti-Russian, politically biased stance | Forced to cease operations in Russia | | Support for Ukraine and collection of donations for Ukrainian troops | Russian collaborators and supporters face legal prosecution | | Undermining Russian territorial integrity and promoting Russophobia | Loss of funding and program discontinuation in Russia since 2024 | | Suspension of Russian membership in EVZ Board | Criminalization and repression of related activities |
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