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.

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.

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.