The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination has sent an official communication to the Russian authorities concerning new laws and practices that severely restrict the rights of indigenous peoples.

The situation has taken on a symbolic dimension: at the very moment when the state officially emphasizes recognition of Indigenous peoples, their representatives and defenders are facing criminal prosecution.

An exhibition with the striking title “Resistance Behind Bars” has opened in Strasbourg. It is not just an art display, but an attempt to give a voice to those who have been deprived of their freedom — and of the right to be heard.

On April 25–26, the Second Global Indigenous Peacebuilding Summit took place in New York, held alongside the session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. The event brought together more than 150 Indigenous representatives from dozens of countries — including community leaders, women, youth, mediators, and human rights defenders. Its main goal was to strengthen the role of Indigenous peoples in global processes of conflict prevention and peacebuilding. P

The Moscow City Court has upheld the extension of pre-trial detention for Daria Egereva and Natalya Leongardt, who are accused of participating in a terrorist organization.

“The use of criminal law has become a tool to suppress lawful activism.”

Participants presented reports to Mariana Katzarova on systemic human rights violations in Russia, including the persecution of activists, pressure on civil society, and restrictions on freedom of expression.

First, he addressed how Russia uses the Forum. In recent years, positive narratives about companies like Nornickel were presented with the support of the government and RAIPON. In reality, communities remain without basic services and face displacement.

At the 25th session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in New York, one of the key topics was the health of Indigenous peoples, including in the context of ongoing conflicts. A strong and emotional statement was delivered by Pavel Sulyandziga, President of the Batani Foundation for Indigenous Peoples’ Development and Solidarity. He spoke of a deep crisis — particularly in the area of mental health affecting entire communities. “Physical health is important, but me

The lawyer also notes that defenders of Indigenous rights have always been "inconvenient" not only for officials and law enforcement.

Indigenous leaders engaged in international mechanisms are increasingly facing risks — from pressure to criminal charges. This creates a situation where participation in global dialogue becomes unsafe.

Indigenous peoples around the world are expressing their solidarity with the Indigenous peoples of Russia in their struggle for their rights.

Against the backdrop of the opening of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues on April 21, the issue of persecution of Indigenous rights defenders from Russia is gaining a new level of international attention. This year, activist Daria Egereva, a representative of the Selkup people of Siberia, was expected to participate in the forum—but instead of New York, she remains in pre-trial detention. Alongside her, human rights advocate Natalia Leongardt is also bei

Daria Egereva was supposed to be in New York next week. The Indigenous Selkup climate advocate was expected to return to the U.N. Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, where two years ago she spoke about how Indigenous peoples are confronting environmental degradation and climate change. Instead, this year she is in a Russian jail, facing up to 20 years in prison on terrorism charges.

The Moscow City Court has scheduled a hearing to consider appeals against the extension of pre-trial detention for Daria Egereva and Natalia Leongardt.

UN Special Rapporteurs on Thursday condemned an ongoing strategy by Russian authorities to silence dissent, human rights advocacy, and anti-war expression. They warned that this represents a “systematic dismantling” of civil society under the guise of protecting national security and public safety.

A Russian court has remanded a second Indigenous rights defender in custody as part of a widening case linked to the banned activist network known as the ‘Aborigen Forum’. Natalya Leongardt, a 58-year-old specialist on the rights of Indigenous peoples in Russia’s North, Siberia and Far East, was detained on Dec. 17, 2025, and ordered into pre-trial detention the following day by Moscow’s Basmanny District Court, according to rights organizations and media reports.

It has now become known that Daria Egereva is not the only woman held in pre-trial detention following the large-scale raids and arrests carried out on 17 December 2025. Alongside her remains another activist — Natalia Leongardt.

We invite all Indigenous Peoples’ organizations, NGOs, and allies across civil society to sign this petition calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Daria Egereva and Natalia Leongardt, who are arbitrarily detained for their peaceful, lawful engagement in Indigenous rights and international advocacy.

United Nations Special Rapporteurs have issued a strong condemnation of what they describe as an escalating and deliberate campaign by Russian authorities to silence dissent, criminalise anti-war expression, and dismantle independent civil society, under the pretext of safeguarding national security.