Photo by Indigenous Russia Indigenous activist and representative of the small-numbered Selkup people of Siberia, Daria Egereva , has been charged with participation in a terrorist organization as part of a large criminal case involving ten individuals and “other persons.” This is stated in an appellate ruling by the Moscow City Court, as reported by Mediazona . Egereva was detained and placed in custody in December last year. At the time, decolonial activists reported that

Sevr Nuu Andrey Metelitsa. Photo: Fisherman of Kamchatka Recent developments surrounding the regional association of Indigenous peoples of the Kamchatka Territory once again raise a question that has long been simmering within the movement: who, and to what extent, truly represents the interests of Indigenous peoples today? The trigger for this discussion is not only the re-election of the association’s chair, Andrey Metelitsa — a process which, according to reports, has rai

“The charges against Daria Egereva are politically motivated. Their aim is to criminalize her legitimate human rights work. We demand her immediate release,” says Sarah Reinke, head of human rights work at the STP. “Egereva has been advocating for indigenous rights, language, and culture for decades. Her detention is an attack on the indigenous movement in Russia.”

• Daria Egereva be released immediately and unconditionally.

As part of her international work, Daria called for Russia to ratify ILO Convention No. 169 and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, emphasizing the importance of upholding international standards for the protection of traditional territories and cultural practices. All her public statements were purely advocacy-focused, dedicated to Indigenous rights, ecosystem preservation, and climate justice — none of her statements are related to the charges currently

The post also notes that one environmental activist in Russia, who advocated for Indigenous peoples’ rights and climate justice, is currently being held in detention. The case illustrates broader concerns about repression against climate defenders and underscores the need for stronger international protection of environmental activists.

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.

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.

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.

The Kremlin is increasing pressure on Russia's indigenous peoples, combining repression, control over international discourse, and disproportionate involvement in the war. In December 2025, 17 representatives of indigenous peoples who defended the rights of their communities were detained.