Russia adds RAAM knowledge platform to list of undesirable organisations
The Dutch-language platform on Russia says this means it can scarcely continue its activities in Russia.
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Russia’s Ministry of Justice has placed the Dutch foundation behind the RAAM knowledge platform on its list of undesirable organisations. According to RAAM, the decision was made public on 14 October.
RAAM writes that Russia’s Prosecutor’s Office had already designated the organisation undesirable on 29 September. The Ministry of Justice later published the listing in the official register. According to the platform, no substantive explanation for the decision has been provided.
Russian law allows foreign organisations to be designated undesirable when, according to the authorities, their activities pose a threat to the constitutional order, defence capacity or state security. In Russia, the designation has far-reaching consequences for organisations and people who work with them.
RAAM publishes Dutch-language analyses of Russia, Ukraine and relations between Russia and Europe. The platform says the new status makes activities in Russia virtually impossible. Russian authors or contacts working for RAAM may also face the risk of fines or criminal prosecution, according to the foundation.
Because RAAM is based in the Netherlands and has no office in Russia, the foundation expects the direct effect on its activities in the Netherlands to remain limited. However, the platform intends to investigate further the consequences for the safety of contacts and staff in Russia.
The listing fits into a broader Russian practice in which foreign media, human rights organisations and research institutions are designated undesirable. Such a designation is not a ruling by an independent court on individual publications, but an administrative and legal measure by the Russian state.
RAAM describes itself as the first Dutch-language publication to have received this status. That designation is based on the platform’s own statement; the ministry does publish the register, but the information consulted contains no separate reasoning for RAAM.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- RAAM has been placed on Russia’s list of undesirable organisations.
- In the sources consulted, the Russian authorities gave no specific reasoning for RAAM.
- RAAM is based in the Netherlands.
Left
Arguments The measure is primarily an attempt to intimidate critical journalism and independent knowledge about Russia.
Values Press freedom, international solidarity and the protection of civil-society organisations.
Consequences Self-censorship and risks for local staff could further impoverish the provision of information about Russia.
Centre
Arguments The Netherlands should condemn the measure while carefully distinguishing between political repression, journalistic work and any security risks.
Values The rule of law, diplomatic proportionality and reliable information.
Consequences A factual response and practical support may be more effective than symbolic escalation alone.
Right
Arguments The listing shows that the Netherlands needs to protect its knowledge and media institutions more effectively against foreign pressure and influence.
Values National resilience, security and the protection of the country’s own institutions.
Consequences This could lead to stricter security measures, funding controls and greater attention to foreign interference.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The core of the article is based on RAAM’s statement and the Russian register. The article clearly identifies which consequences and designations were reported by RAAM itself and which information the Russian authorities have not explained.
- confirmed RAAM has been included in Russia’s register of undesirable organisations. — The register and RAAM’s own publication confirm this. source
- confirmed RAAM says the decision was made public on 14 October. — RAAM’s own publication. source
- confirmed Russian law can make activities, financial transactions and cooperation with undesirable organisations punishable or impossible. — Explanation in RAAM’s publication of the consequences of the status. source
Editor's note
The listing in the Russian register and the date on which it was made public have been confirmed. No explanation by the Russian authorities was found in the public domain; statements about risks to staff are attributed to RAAM.Sources
- Kennisplatform RAAM is door Rusland verklaard tot ongewenste organisatie — Platform RAAM
- Register van ongewenste buitenlandse en internationale organisaties — Russisch ministerie van Justitie
More on this in Dutch media
- Het Parool — „raam rusland”
- Trouw — „raam rusland”
- NRC — „raam rusland”