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But today Daria is under arrest. She faces a long prison sentence — up to 20 years. Her story reminds us that defending human rights and nature still requires enormous personal courage. On International Women’s Day, it is important to speak not only about celebration, but also about women who continue to fight for justice.

Support Daria by writing to her: https://bit.ly/4l7H40q

On 17 December 2025, Russian security forces temporarily detained 17 Indigenous activists, raided their houses, and confiscated their devices. Two activists were arrested, including the Selkup Indigenous rights defender Daria Egereva, a co-chair of the International Indigenous Peoples’ Forum on Climate Change (IIPFCC). Authorities accused her of participating in a “terrorist organization,” a charge that can carry a prison sentence of up to 20 years.

“International law is not a menu. You cannot recognize cultural rights while ignoring land rights. You cannot speak about participation while excluding Indigenous Peoples from decision-making,” said Valentina Sovkina.

According to expert Vitaliy Servetnik, 151 incidents of pressure were recorded in 2025, affecting 155 activists, 26 grassroots initiatives, and two environmental organizations. As he noted, after a decline in previous years the situation is worsening again. While about 300 cases of pressure were recorded in 2022, the number dropped to 95 cases in 2024, but 2025 has already shown a new increase.

On December 17, Daria Egereva, a Selkup activist fighting for the rights of Siberia's indigenous peoples, was arrested in Russia. This is the moment when the repressive policies of the Putin regime became personal for me, Aimar Ventsel writes.

An event hosted by Member of the European Parliament Rasa Jukneviciene took place in the European Parliament in Brussels — an EPP Outreach Event entitled “Silenced Voices: Russia’s Repressions”, organized in cooperation with Anti-Discrimination Centre Memorial (ADC Memorial). This was the second meeting in this format. The first focused on Indigenous rights, environmental issues, and the preservation of traditional ways of life and culture. The current meeting addressed repre

The goal of the campaign is to show that Indigenous voices stand together — across distances and borders. Sometimes it takes only a few seconds to show support — just to say: Free Daria!

The Canadian television channel APTN News, which broadcasts news for Indigenous peoples in Canada, covered the searches, interrogations of activists from the Indigenous small-numbered peoples of Russia, and the arrest of Daria Egereva.

Daria Egereva has never called for violence or destruction. She has done what has always been natural for Indigenous peoples: speaking about rights, land, community, and responsibility to future generations.

Sevr Nuu The image was created using AI. Not long ago, the words “community leader” and “activist” sounded calm and familiar among Indigenous peoples of the North, Siberia, and the Far East. They described people who took responsibility for their language, culture, land, and the well-being of their communities. It was work often invisible and sometimes even misunderstood. Today, these words are increasingly placed next to another — heavy and frightening — word: “extremism.”

Observers say Daria Egereva’s case highlights the risks Native advocates face when they challenge the powerful. Anita Hofschneider Daria Egereva speaks at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, in November 2024 Courtesy of Teo Ormond-Skeaping/Loss and Damage Collaboration This story was originally published by Grist and is reproduced here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration. Russian authorities have detained an Indigenous climate advocate, accusing her of participating in a

The human rights project "Support for Political Prisoners. Memorial," guided by international criteria, has recognized Daria Egereva as a political prisoner . According to human rights activists, she is being prosecuted under a criminal article on participation in the activities of a terrorist organization for her alleged involvement in the "Forum of Free States of Post-Russia," which has been designated a terrorist organization in the country. Human rights activists believe

9.2.2026 Question for written answer E-000529/2026to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security PolicyRule 144Merja Kyllönen (The Left) The Sámi Parliament in Finland has brought to the attention of the European institutions the seriously worrying situation in Russia, where several representatives and leaders of indigenous peoples have been arrested and prosecuted under counter-terrorism measures. One of the detai

The U.N. and dozens of Indigenous organizations are demanding Daria Egereva's release, but a Moscow court just extended her detention until at least March. A Russian court is continuing to hold an international advocate for Indigenous peoples on terrorism charges despite international calls to release her immediately. Daria Egereva, who is Indigenous Selkup from Russia, is co-chair of the International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Climate Change , which represents Indigenous

Daria Egereva (2022, photo: Denis Kostrov) An article about Daria Egereva has appeared on the Wikipedia platform. The material was published in German under the name Darja Anatoljewna Jegerewa . According to human rights defenders, an English-language version of the page is expected to be created in the near future. The article states that Egereva is a representative of the Selkup, one of Russia’s Indigenous small-numbered peoples, a climate activist, and a participant in int

On 17 December 2025, police arrested and detained at least 17 representatives of indigenous peoples from the Altai and Sakha Republics, Tomsk, Murmansk, Kemerovo Oblasts, and Krasnoyarsk Krai. Most were released the same day but, Daria Egereva was kept detained at Moscow Pre-Trial Detention Center No. 6.

Photo by Sergey Gavrilov We are living in strange times. Today, what used to be an unquestionable truth—such as the slogans “No to war” or “Peace to the world”—is now called a crime by many. What was once considered an absolute priority—respect for the individual and for human rights—is today portrayed by many as an anachronism, a relic of the past, or a liberal conspiracy. What was once regarded as a moral duty—to stand up for those subjected to political repression—is now d

Cultural Survival demands the immediate release of activist Daria Egereva, the dropping of all charges against her, and an end to the criminalization and persecution of other Indigenous activists in Russia.

I appeal to states, UN bodies, special procedures, international human rights mechanisms, Indigenous networks, and civil society organizations. Today, a clear, principled, and public response is urgently required. The international community must demand the immediate release of Darya Egereva, the release of other detained activists, and an immediate end to all forms of repression, criminal prosecution, and pressure against Indigenous Peoples in Russia.