A Large-Scale Campaign Against Small Peoples
- André Ejankour
- Jul 4
- 1 min read
Why Russian Authorities Consider Defenders of Minority Ethnic Rights to Be Terrorists
Organizations that advocate for the expansion of the rights of Indigenous small-numbered peoples are seen as threatening "multinational unity and the territorial integrity of Russia." This is the position of the Ministry of Justice, which has banned — and, in effect, criminalized — the activities of more than 50 such associations. And in December 2025, searches and arrests of activists took place across Russia, after which many of them were forced to urgently leave the country or go underground. At the same time, Vladimir Putin never tires of repeating that Russia's multinational composition is its historical heritage and the foundation of statehood, and that the state's efforts are aimed at enabling representatives of small-numbered peoples to preserve the traditions of their ancestors and carefully pass them on to new generations.
Guests of the program:
- Pavel Sulyandziga, Chairman of the Batanai International Foundation for Development and Solidarity of Indigenous Peoples.
- Andrey Danilov, member of the International Committee of Indigenous Peoples of Russia, activist of the Sami people.
The program "A Person Has the Right" is hosted by Maryana Torocheshnikova.
Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
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