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.

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.

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.

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.

The cases of Daria Egereva and Natalia Leongardt are increasingly becoming part of a global conversation about Indigenous rights and the crackdown on civil society in Russia. One of the latest indicators of this growing international attention is the creation of a Spanish-language Wikipedia entry for Daria Egereva. While seemingly symbolic, the article carries practical weight: it makes information about the case accessible to hundreds of millions of Spanish-speaking readers

One of the most resonant moments of the conference came from a civil society representative — Pierre Meysson, speaking on behalf of the Nyéléni International Network. He specifically appealed to the international community for the immediate release of three women activists: Daria Egereva and Natalia Leonhardt in Russia, and Isha Isri in Turkey.

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.

With this communication, the Committee has spotlighted a long, steady erosion of the rights of Indigenous Peoples in Russia

"Publicity is protection. International attention can save lives," participants emphasized, adding that silence under such conditions amounts to complicity.

On April 29, the Moscow City Court reviewed appeals against the extension of the pre-trial detention of Daria Egereva and Natalia Leongardt. The hearing took place in the appellate building of the court. Both defendants participated via video link from Pre-Trial Detention Center No. 6. Earlier, on March 12, the Basmanny District Court of Moscow had extended their detention until June 15, 2026. The defense lawyers requested that the measure of restraint be changed to house arr

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.

During the conversation, the participants focused on the cases of Daria Egereva and Natalya Leongardt, as well as on the broader trend of persecution of Indigenous human rights defenders in Russia.