Russia moves to ban Elton John AIDS Foundation, citing opposition to traditional values

Russia’s Prosecutor General’s Office has officially designated the Elton John AIDS Foundation (established in the early 1990s) and its affiliated organizations as “undesirable.” 

The Russian authorities claim that the primary focus of these foundations is not the fight against HIV/AIDS, as officially stated, but rather the promotion of "non-traditional sexual relationships, Western family models, and gender transition", Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

This, according to the Prosecutor General's Office, is in direct opposition to Russia's national policies on traditional values.

Additionally, the Russian agency asserts that the Elton John AIDS Foundation has close ties with non-governmental organizations operating as “foreign agents” in the country. The authorities further accuse the organization of aligning with countries that “defend traditional values” and participating in what they term as the Western “information campaign” aimed at discrediting Russia, particularly since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, the Elton John AIDS Foundation has provided over $4 million in grants to its partners in Ukraine for humanitarian aid and to support people living with HIV, as stated on the foundation’s website.

The law on “undesirable organizations,” which was enacted in Russia in 2015, prohibits the activities of groups listed in its registry. Those who participate in or support the activities of these organizations face fines, with repeated offenses potentially leading to sentences of up to four years in prison. The law has been widely applied to target independent media, international research entities, and humanitarian organizations.

In response to the situation, Elton John’s foundation has yet to issue a public statement regarding the Russian government's actions. However, the designation marks a significant escalation in Russia’s ongoing efforts to suppress international organizations it views as hostile to its policies.

By Tamilla Hasanova