Joint Statement by BASEES, ASEEES, ICCEES, FAREES, and SFERES on the Designation of the DGO as an 'Extremist Organization' by the Russian Federation

The recent designation of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Osteuropakunde (DGO) as an “extremist organisation” by the Russian Federation is deeply troubling and entirely unjustified. As the largest association for research on Eastern Europe in the German-speaking world, the DGO facilitates scientific cooperation and academic exchange, while disseminating knowledge on political, social, and economic developments in the region. Following its inclusion in the list of ‘undesirable organizations’ in February 2024, labelling the DGO as "extremist" and part of an "Anti-Russian Separatist Movement" represents a significant escalation and an alarming attack on academic freedom and civil society. Under Russian criminal law, those who collaborate with the DGO now face the risk of prison sentences of up to twelve years. We strongly condemns this blatant assault on academic freedom by the Russian government and stands in full solidarity with the DGO in its efforts to promote knowledge and cooperation in Eastern Europe.

British Association for Slavonic and East European Studies (BASEES)

Association for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies (ASEEES)

International Council for Central and East European Studies (ICCEES)

Finnish Association for Russian and East European Studies (FAREES)

La Société française pour les études russes et est-européennes en sciences sociales (SFERES)