On April 29, Brigham Young University was blacklisted on Russia's list of "undesirable" organizations--Russian citizens affiliated with the school may face criminal charges. This information was first reported by the Moscow Times on Tuesday.
What does it mean to be "undesirable"?
According to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, "The 'undesirable' label essentially finishes off the existence inside Russia of any organization that survived the 'foreign agent' designation."
When an organization is placed on this list, they are required to cease everything they're doing in Russia. Russian citizens who interact with, share or repost content from a blacklisted organization run the risk of criminal prosecution, which could include jail-time for those within the country or being blocked from returning home for those outside of the country.
What does this mean for BYU-Pathway?
It's unclear exactly how this will impact BYU-Pathway students located in Russia. However, when the Russia-Ukraine war broke out, students were permitted to withdraw, no matter how late in the semester it was.
What does this mean for Russian members?
According to Olga Lisina on After Russia, "Russian citizens and legal entities are not allowed to cooperate with such organisations, either on or off the territory of Russia. A website that distributes information materials of an ‘undesirable’ organisation may be blocked, and people that participate in the activities of ‘undesirable’ groups may be criminally prosecuted and subjected to high fines and significant jail time."
As of now, it would be illegal for Russian citizens to attend or affiliate with BYU. A first offense could result in a fine up to $1,740. A second offense could result in a larger fine and up to four years in prison. A founder of one of these organizations could face up to six years in prison.
Note from the editor: The website included as the original source by Moscow Times that includes the official list of "undesirable" organizations doesn't open.
lol
Why was this done?! This is crazy!
Egor Demin?
Putin wants the Russian people to be stupid.
This is not fare to the raising generation sicking affordable education all fingers are not equal and no matter what we all need one another to survive…
Generations are still coming!!!
How will this affect missionaries who have attended BYU or who have been to the MTC in Provo?
This is just really sad for the people of Russia…. Not too unexpected considering whom is the leader of the people there…. And what his reported previous actions have been
How do we support those students and members who are being persecuted for their mere association with BYU? This is an assault on goodness being perpetuated by a government against its own people, an assault on the freedoms of conscience and assembly-association we take for granted here in America.
I served in Russia as a missionary from 1999 to 2001. Amazing people and my heart hurts for them
This puts BYU students and administrators in a real bind. They love Donald Trump, and Donald Trump loves Putin. So by the transitive property, they also love Putin. But Putin doesn’t live them. This is an emotionally hurtful cognitive challenge to BYU’s sense of self and place
I guess the communists don’t want there people to get any ideas that there may be a better way.
Donald Trump does not love Putin, and there are plenty of Latter-day Saints who do not love Trump. Not everything in life has to be seen through the stupid lens of Trump-hatred, but for some people no opportunity is too small or petty to make things political!
Assuming that BYU’s administration is in the Trump camp it’s a bit of a stretch. I know several members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who are not fans of the modern day Korihor. Perhaps this will give other members cause to reconsider their loyalty to party over country.
Things we take for granted in our localities. The freedom and peace. The respect of human rights. The love we share. Let’s cherish them. In the other parts of the world it’s not the same. All in all, my brothers and sisters, let’s pray and fast for our people in Russia that the leadership’s heart may be soften, and the environment be changes
The scarier part of this is seeing similar actions being used by leaders of our country to silence anyone whose views differ from theirs.
Bruce, what country are you from? Because it’s clearly not America. No American is being charged $1740 or given prison time for attending any “undesirable” university. No American is being arrested or fined for joining an organization.