At the Indigenous Representatives' Meeting in Geneva, Persecution of Indigenous Leaders from Russia Was Highlighted

On the eve of the 19th session of the UN Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP) in Geneva, a traditional coordination meeting of Indigenous representatives was held. During the event, participants were informed about the ongoing criminalization of Indigenous leaders from Russia, the criminal prosecution of human rights defenders Daria Egereva and Natalia Leongardt, and the international solidarity campaign in their support.

Olga Kostrova, a representative of Indigenous peoples from Russia, addressed the participants. She reminded that Daria Egereva and Natalia Leongardt should have been among those present, but they have remained in detention for over six months. As a sign of solidarity, empty seats were symbolically left for them.

Olga Kostrova recounted that on December 17, 2025, a large-scale wave of repression against Indigenous representatives began in Russia. According to her, more than 17 activists were subjected to searches and interrogations. On that same day, Daria Egereva and Natalia Leongardt were detained and remain in custody to this day. She also reminded that in June, the court again extended their pre-trial detention — until September 15.

During the address, it was noted that following the onset of repression, more than ten Indigenous activists were forced to leave Russia. Furthermore, cooperation with international mechanisms, including UN mechanisms, has effectively become grounds for criminal prosecution of Indigenous representatives.

Olga Kostrova separately thanked Indigenous representatives and international organizations for their letters of support sent to Daria Egereva. According to her, Daria receives these letters in pre-trial detention and, in her responses, expresses sincere gratitude to everyone who continues to support her and Natalia Leongardt. She also called on participants to join the international solidarity campaign by following its social media pages using the QR code presented during the meeting.

Particular attention was paid to the decision of the International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Climate Change to retain Daria Egereva's status as Vice-Chair until her full release. As Olga Kostrova noted, this decision became an important manifestation of international solidarity and support for the human rights defender.

Concluding her address, Olga Kostrova emphasized the need to continue drawing attention to cases of criminalization of Indigenous representatives for cooperation with UN mechanisms, to name persecuted activists, and to strengthen international solidarity. She noted that such violations occur not only in Russia and called for uniting efforts to protect Indigenous rights worldwide.

Background

From July 13 to 18, 2026, the 19th session of the UN Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP) will take place in Geneva. The Expert Mechanism is a subsidiary body of the UN Human Rights Council and provides states and UN structures with expert support on issues related to the implementation of Indigenous rights in accordance with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

The agenda of the current session includes issues of protecting Indigenous rights in conflict and post-conflict situations, cooperation among UN mechanisms, implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, cooperation with states, the International Decade of Indigenous Languages, the use of artificial intelligence, expanding Indigenous participation in UN work, preparations for the 20th anniversary of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, as well as discussion of the future work of EMRIP and recommendations for the UN Human Rights Council.

IR