The 19th session of the UN Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP), held in Geneva, was not merely a platform for discussing Indigenous rights. It revealed the existence of two fundamentally different approaches to understanding what the protection of these rights means in contemporary Russia.

Natalia Leongardt, a human rights defender with 20 years of experience and a specialist in protecting the rights of Indigenous small-numbered peoples of the North, Siberia, and the Far East, has been added to the list of eco-prisoners maintained by the Environmental Crisis Group.

During the 19th session of the UN Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP), a side event titled "Protecting Territories, Protecting Defenders: The Role of Documentation and Indigenous Data Sovereignty" brought together Indigenous leaders, experts, and representatives of international organizations. Participants discussed how documentation of violations and data sovereignty help protect the rights of Indigenous peoples and those who advocate for them.

During the 19th session of the UN Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP) in Geneva, participants discussed preparations for the 20th anniversary of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which will be observed in 2027. Independent Indigenous representatives from Russia stated that the anniversary of the Declaration should not only be an occasion for taking stock but also an opportunity to draw attention to ongoing violations of Indigenou

During the 19th session of the UN Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP) in Geneva, a meeting took place between Indigenous representatives from seven sociocultural regions of the world and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk. Delegates spoke about the most pressing issues facing Indigenous peoples in their regions.

On July 15, during the 19th session of the UN Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP) in Geneva, an interactive dialogue took place under agenda item 5, dedicated to the implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The discussion was attended by UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Albert Kwokwo Barume, representatives of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, the UN Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peo

On the square in front of the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Indigenous activists from Russia held a solidarity action in support of imprisoned human rights defenders Daria Egereva and Natalia Leongardt, as well as an information campaign dedicated to the ongoing repression against independent Indigenous leaders in Russia.

We received a letter from Daria Egereva forwarded by a person who corresponds with her from the pre-trial detention center. In the letter, Daria shares her emotions after the International Indigenous Peoples' Forum on Climate Change decided to extend her mandate as Vice-Chair, as well as after the UN Special Rapporteurs' appeal regarding her criminal prosecution.

On December 17, 2025, searches and interrogations of Indigenous activists took place in several regions of Russia. On that day, Daria Egereva — a defender of the rights of the Selkup Indigenous people and co-chair of the International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Climate Change — as well as Natalia Leonhardt, a long-time advocate and defender of Indigenous rights, were detained. Both women were arrested and placed in custody.

On June 16, during the UN Climate Conference in Bonn (SB64), human rights defenders, Indigenous representatives, and environmental activists held an international action, "Defending the Defenders." Participants demanded the release of environmental and human rights activists facing persecution in various countries around the world.

On 6 June 2026, a communication addressed to the Russian government concerning the case of Daria Egereva and Natalia Leongardt was made public. The document was submitted by ten UN Special Procedures mandate holders. Such communications are published 60 days after being sent, regardless of whether the government concerned has responded.

The Society for Threatened Peoples (STP) has criticized the deliberate isolation of human rights activists Daria Egereva and Natalia Leongardt, who have been detained in Russia for six months.

Daria Egereva, a representative of the Selkup indigenous people and climate activist, has been held in a pre-trial detention center for nearly six months on charges of "participation in the activities of a terrorist organization." Human rights defender Natalia Leonhardt is charged in the same case. Both face between 10 and 20 years in prison.

Judge T.S. Vakhrameev of the Basmanny District Court of Moscow has extended the pre-trial detention of Daria Egereva and Natalia Leonhardt. Family members, media representatives, and diplomatic staff were not permitted to attend the latest court hearing in the case of indigenous activists Daria Egereva and Natalia Leonhardt.

he arrest of Selkup activist Daria Egereva and human rights defender Natalia Leonhardt has generated widespread international resonance. Over the past months, dozens of media outlets in Europe, North America, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific region, as well as specialized environmental and human rights publications, have reported on their case.

At the 64th session of the subsidiary bodies of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (SB64), taking place in Bonn, the International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Climate Change issued a statement in support of Selkup activist Daria Egereva and called on the Russian authorities to release her immediately and unconditionally.

From June 8 to 18, 2026, the 64th session of the subsidiary bodies of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (SB64) is taking place in Bonn, Germany.

At the 2026 UN Climate Week in Yeosu, South Korea, Ramona Duminicioiu from Eco Ruralis (Romania) spoke about human rights and expressed solidarity with the Indigenous Peoples of Russia. Drawing on Romania's own experience with dictatorship, she reflected on the growing pressure faced by Indigenous communities and activists. IR

The discussions involved community leaders, scientists, knowledge keepers, women, and youth from Indigenous communities. Participants talked about how to integrate scientific knowledge with the centuries-old experience of local communities to address climate challenges. They also shared successful practices for adapting to climate change and preserving traditional ways of life in changing conditions.

As DW notes, the criminal case is based on a court ruling that declared the “Aborigen Forum” to be a subdivision of the “Forum of Free States of Post-Russia,” which had previously been designated as a terrorist organization. At the same time, the community itself had spent years engaged in human rights, environmental, and educational work, while its members spoke at UN platforms and cooperated with international organizations.