Kremlin Intensifies Repression Against Critics and Civil Society
Brussels, Belgium – The Kremlin significantly escalated its crackdown on Russian civil society and critics throughout 2025, according to the Human Rights Watch (HRW) World Report 2026, released on February 4, 2026. The report highlights an expansion of censorship and surveillance, alongside an increased reliance on charges of 'undermining state security' to stifle dissent both within Russia and among those in exile.
Benjamin Ward, Europe and Central Asia acting director at Human Rights Watch, noted that Russian authorities scaled up repression against activists and critics, while also intensifying a 'traditional values' crusade targeting migrants, LGBTQ+ individuals, and women's reproductive rights.
Expanded Legislative Tools and Prosecutions
Throughout 2025, Russian authorities broadened their legislative arsenal to target perceived opponents. Surveillance legislation, including a 'register of controlled persons' and an 'experiment' to monitor labor migrants in Moscow, took effect. The number of political prisoners rose significantly to 1,217, up from 805 at the end of 2024.
The report details a sharp escalation in criminal prosecutions under 'foreign agents' legislation, with 72 criminal cases initiated in the first half of 2025. Furthermore, 78 organizations were banned as 'undesirable,' including prominent human rights groups. In a notable development, Human Rights Watch itself was designated 'undesirable' in November 2025. The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation, Mariana Katzarova, also reported in December 2025 that over 280 organizations had been labeled 'undesirable' and more than 1,100 entities and individuals designated 'foreign agents.'
'Undermining State Security' Charges and Censorship
The use of 'undermining state security' charges became a more frequent tool for suppressing critical voices. War censorship laws, which were expanded and toughened following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, remained a primary mechanism to silence those denouncing the conflict. Amendments in February 2025 enabled the confiscation of property from individuals convicted under various charges, including 'fake news' about the military, and increased penalties for public calls deemed to 'undermine state security.'
In May 2025, a Moscow court sentenced leading Russian election monitoring activist Grigory Melkonyants to five years in prison for alleged involvement with an 'undesirable organization.' Additionally, 2025 saw the first criminal sentences for supposed participation in the 'International LGBT Movement,' which was designated an 'extremist organization,' with new 'LGBT extremism' charges also brought against book publishers.
Impact on Vulnerable Populations and Education
The crackdown extended to vulnerable populations, with authorities continuing their assault on migrants' rights. A ban on enrolling foreign children in public schools without proof of legal status and Russian language proficiency took effect in April 2025, creating a systemic barrier to education. The HRW report underscores that this systematic repression aims to stifle all forms of dissent and dismantle independent civil society.
1 Comments
Raphael
While the increase in political prisoners and banned organizations is deeply troubling, it's also worth considering how a climate of perceived external threat can be used internally to justify such draconian measures.