The DGO is the largest interdisciplinary association of academics in the German-speaking world specializing in Eastern Europe. The listing has far-reaching consequences for the DGO's work. However, it is also a direct attack on academia and therefore directly affects our universities.

In Russia, people who work together with the DGO face prison sentences of up to twelve years. This acutely endangers researchers' personal freedom and further restricts any research related to Russia. This has particularly serious consequences for the academic careers of young researchers of Eastern Europe. The aim of the listing is to largely prevent independent research on Russia and, due to international networks, it affects all research on Eastern Europe. The listing of the DGO is thus an attempt to restrict international academic freedom.

We condemn this attack on international academic freedom and appeal to all researchers, scientific associations, and academic institutions to declare their solidarity with the DGO. We stand behind the members of the DGO and support them in continuing their independent academic work, and thus in defending academic freedom.

We appeal to German politicians to recognize the listing of the DGO as an “extremist organization” as a direct attack on academic freedom both in Germany and internationally, and to act accordingly. The state is called upon to fulfill its protective function towards academia. This requires a dialog with third countries in the Russian sphere of influence in order to protect field researchers. Existing and new research cooperations with states that maintain close relations with Russia will in turn be considerably strained. Only decisive action can mitigate such attacks on science.

• Friedrich Schiller University Jena
• Bielefeld University
• University of Bremen
• Dresden University of Technology
• European University Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder)
• Justus Liebig University Giessen
• University of Potsdam
• University of Tübingen