On March 31, 2026, Russia’s Prosecutor General’s Office designated Tufts University 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 penalize foreign or international institutions if they are deemed to 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.

Tufts is one of a handful of U.S. universities to be designated “undesirable” in recent years. In its press release, the Prosecutor General’s office accused Tufts (and its Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy) of being instruments of “anti-Russian propaganda.” The office claimed that the institutions deliberately held events “disseminating distorted and inaccurate information” intended to undermine public trust in Russia. The statement also suggested that Tufts and the Fletcher School’s support for the LGBT community was to “destroy traditional family and moral values of Russians.” The “undesirable” designation prohibits Tufts from operating in Russia and means that individuals working in Russia on behalf of Tufts are subject to up to six years of imprisonment.

Scholars at Risk is concerned about a decision by national policymakers to exclude a higher education institution, its students and faculty, from engagement within a state, apparently based on political or ideological (rather than academic) considerations. 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. Attempts to limit international academic exchange undermine academic freedom, institutional autonomy, and democratic society generally.

Sources:
https://www.tuftsdaily.com/article/2026/04/russian-designation-of-tufts-as-undesirable-leaves-students-faculty-uncertain-about-travel-rationale
https://epp.genproc.gov.ru/ru/gprf/mass-media/news/main/e8443794/