Encroachment on Academic Freedom

As was announced this week,  the public prosecutor's office of the Russian Fe­deration classified the German Association for East European Studies (DGO) as an “extremist organization”, after it had already been de­clared an “undesirable organization” in March. The DGO is the largest association for Eastern European studies in German-speaking countries. This classifi­cation means that the DGO is prohibited from working in Russia. Russian nationals run the risk of punish­ment if they cooperate with the DGO. This encroach­ment on academic freedom makes dialog with academics in Russia more difficult and makes academic ex­change a personal risk. Together with other in­stitutions in Germany, we de­clare our solidarity with the DGO and all those affected.