Today Marks Six Months Since the Detention of Daria Egereva and Natalia Leongardt

On December 17, 2025, searches and interrogations of Indigenous activists took place in several regions of Russia. On that day, Daria Egereva — a defender of the rights of the Selkup Indigenous people and co-chair of the International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Climate Change — as well as Natalia Leonhardt, a long-time advocate and defender of Indigenous rights, were detained. Both women were arrested and placed in custody.

Over the past six months, their case has attracted widespread international attention.

Over 100 Organizations Call for the Release of Daria Egereva and Natalia Leongardt.

Ten UN Experts Accuse Russia of Misusing Anti-Terrorism Legislation.

More than 72 days have passed since the request was sent, but no official response has been provided.

At the UN Climate Change Conference in Bonn, indigenous leaders, human rights defenders, and climate activists publicly spoke out in support of Daria and Natalia.

The International Indigenous Forum on Climate Change has made a historic decision to retain Daria Egereva as Co-Chair and has additionally confirmed a third Co-Chair until she steps down.

Behind these facts and figures are two women, their families, their communities, and years of work to protect the rights of indigenous peoples, preserve languages, culture, and traditional knowledge.

182 days later, calls for the release of Daria Egereva and Natalia Leongardt continue to grow louder.

IR