Russia kicks out Amnesty International

UKRAINE, RUSSIA: Russia says it is shutting down the local offices of Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch that have been working in the country for the past 30 years.

The announcement on Friday came on the 44th day of Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine, with thousands killed and more than 11 million having fled their homes or the country in the worst refugee crisis in Europe since World War II.

Human Rights Watch has been operating in Russia for 30 years, while Amnesty has had a presence in the country since 1993.

All in all, 15 organisations have been taken off Russia’s registry of international organisations and foreign Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) due to “violations of the current legislation of the Russian Federation”, the Justice Jinistry said in a statement without providing further details.

Russia also shut down the local offices of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, the Aga Khan Foundation, the Wspolnota Polska Association and other organisations.

Meanwhile, in a powerful show of support for Ukraine, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was seen walking through the streets of war-torn Kyiv with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy by his side on Saturday.

Johnson had made a surprise visit to the Ukrainian capital and pledged additional financial and military aid to the eastern European nation to bolster its resistance against the invasion by Russia.

During his jaunt through downtown Kyiv, which was besieged by Russian forces mere weeks ago, Johnson was seen waving to and interacting with the city’s residents, while armed security personnel flanked him and Zelenskyy and kept a sharp look-out.

At one point, a Ukrainian man stopped Johnson and seemed to offer thanks and praise for his efforts.

The British leader responded by stating: “It is nice to meet you, and it has been our privilege to help. You have a remarkable President, Zelensky, who has done an outstanding job. We simply wish to keep supporting the people of Ukraine for as long as it takes.”

– INDIA TODAY, THE BANGKOK POST