On April 29, 2025, Russia’s Ministry of Justice designated Brigham Young University (BYU)—a religious Mormon school based in Utah, United States—as an “undesirable organization.”
Passed in May 2015, the “undesirable organization” law (Article 20.33 of Russia’s Code of Administrative Offences) provides Russia’s Prosecutor General and Foreign Ministry with the power to register foreign or international institutions as undesirable organizations if they present a “threat to the defensive capabilities or security of the state, to the public order, or to the health of the population.” Entities registered as undesirable organizations are banned from operating in Russia. Non-governmental organizations in Russia that work with or are supported by organizations classified as undesirable can be charged with violating the law. Since the law was passed, a growing number of foreign organizations that have been publicly critical of human rights conditions in Russia have been registered under this title. Those affiliated with an “undesirable” organization could face fines, restrictions on activities, travel bans, or jail sentences of up to six years.
Neither Russia’s Prosecutor General’s Office nor the Justice Ministry clarified why they designated the university as “undesirable.” However, some media reports suggest that the designation could have stemmed from an event hosted at BYU that was critical of Russia. On February 6, during the on-campus event titled, “Russia as a Global Threat,” Sonata Coulter, the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Russia, reportedly stated that the Russian government uses its authority to dominate other nations through “decades-long deals and resource demands.”
Under the “undesirable” designation, BYU will no longer be able to operate its Russian study abroad program. Russian citizens risk persecution and up to six years of prison time if found to be in “collaboration” with the university.
Scholars at Risk is concerned about the closure of an independent research center by national authorities in apparent retaliation for academic conduct and content. State authorities have a responsibility not to interfere with the peaceful exercise of the rights to academic freedom and freedom of association, so long as those activities are undertaken peacefully and responsibly. Actions aimed at limiting research and collaboration harm academic freedom and undermine society generally.
Sources:
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/06/03/russia-blacklists-brigham-young-university-and-german-ngo-as-undesirable-a89320
https://www.sltrib.com/news/education/2025/06/05/brigham-young-university-is-now/
https://kutv.com/news/local/byu-blacklisted-by-russian-government-provo-latter-day-saints-undesirable-organizations-putin