NewsRussia declares George Clooney Foundation 'undesirable'

Russia declares George Clooney Foundation 'undesirable'

George Clooney has a problem in Russia. It's about his foundation.
George Clooney has a problem in Russia. It's about his foundation.
Images source: © Getty Images | The Washington Post
Jakub Artych

19 August 2024 16:32

The General Prosecutor's Office in Russia has declared the George Clooney Foundation for Justice an "undesirable organization" in Russia. According to the prosecutor's office, under the guise of humanitarian ideals, the foundation's representatives promote initiatives aimed at criminal responsibility for Russia's highest authorities.

On Monday, 19 August, at the Russian General Prosecutor's Office announced a ban on the charitable activities of the foundation created by American film star George Clooney and his wife Amal.

As "The Moscow Times" emphasises, the Russian authorities have considered the activities of the Clooney Foundation for Justice "undesirable in their country."

In an official statement, it was declared that the organisation engages in extensive efforts to discredit Russia, actively supports false patriots, and members of banned terrorist and extremist groups.

According to the prosecutor's office, under the guise of humanitarian ideals, the foundation's representatives promote initiatives aimed at criminal responsibility for Russia's highest authorities.

These combatants from Madison Avenue hide behind humanitarian ideas to promote initiatives aimed at prosecuting senior Russian officials, publicly defaming, among others, a Russian foreign agent - emphasises the Russian General Prosecutor's Office.

How does the George Clooney Foundation work?

In July, the Clooney Foundation, along with several other non-governmental organisations, filed a complaint with the UN Human Rights Committee, accusing Russia of human rights violations regarding Ukrainians killed in a missile attack on Vinnytsia in 2022.

The "undesirable" status requires organisations to cease their activities in Russia and means that Russians collaborating with these organisations, financing them, or working for them may also be held legally liable.

This decision forces the foundation to end its activities in the Russian Federation, putting the future of humanitarian efforts and human rights defence in the region, which were so far supported by the organisation founded by Amal and George Clooney, in question.

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