UN Called to Strengthen Protection of Indigenous Rights in Times of War

At the EMRIP Session, Indigenous Representatives from Russia Called on the UN to Address Repression and the Consequences of War

During the discussion of agenda item 3 of the 19th session of the UN Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP), dedicated to the rights of Indigenous peoples in conflict and post-conflict situations, Indigenous representatives from Russia spoke about the disproportionate impact of war and political repression on Indigenous peoples and called on the UN to strengthen its attention to these issues.

Sámi activist Andrey Danilov noted that for Indigenous peoples, conflict means not only armed violence but also the loss of lands, security, dignity, and political voice.

"In the Russian Federation, Indigenous peoples face additional pressure, and their rights defenders risk criminal prosecution for peaceful human rights work, international cooperation, and the protection of their lands," he stated.

Danilov called on the Expert Mechanism to pay special attention to the criminal prosecution of human rights defenders Daria Egereva and Natalia Leongardt, emphasizing that their case demonstrates the use of counter-terrorism and anti-extremism legislation against Indigenous rights defenders. He also called for recommendations to states not to use national security legislation to prosecute the peaceful activities of human rights defenders and to ensure the participation of Indigenous peoples in decisions affecting their lands and future.

Irina Kurilova, speaking on behalf of the Yukaghirs — one of the smallest Indigenous peoples in Russia — emphasized that war has a devastating impact on peoples at risk of extinction.

"For small-numbered peoples, the death of even one person becomes an irreparable loss, threatening the survival of entire communities, languages, and cultures," she noted.

According to her, Indigenous representatives suffer disproportionately high losses as a result of mobilization and participation in war, while at the same time pressure intensifies on those who peacefully defend the rights of their peoples. Activists face criminal prosecution, arbitrary detention, and independent organizations continue to be dismantled.

Irina Kurilova called on the Expert Mechanism to take into account cases where armed conflicts are used to persecute Indigenous rights defenders in its research, to continue monitoring the human rights situation of Indigenous peoples in Russia, and to call on Russian authorities to immediately release Daria Egereva and Natalia Leongardt.

Olga Kostrova, an activist of the Chulym people, also addressed the issue of repression against Indigenous representatives cooperating with UN mechanisms. She noted that following the mass searches and detentions of December 17, 2025, Daria Egereva and Natalia Leongardt have been in custody for over six months, and more than ten activists have been forced to leave Russia.

She recalled that the UN General Assembly, in Resolution 79/159, condemned threats, persecution, and repression against Indigenous representatives, including those engaged with UN mechanisms.

In this connection, the following recommendations were proposed to the Expert Mechanism: to conduct a separate study on the criminalization of Indigenous representatives for cooperation with the UN; to inform the UN Human Rights Council and the UN Secretary-General about the case of Daria Egereva and Natalia Leongardt for inclusion in the annual report on reprisals; and to recommend that the Human Rights Council regularly consider reprisals against Indigenous representatives cooperating with the UN as a separate item on its annual agenda.

From July 13 to 18, 2026, the 19th session of the UN Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP) is taking place in Geneva. 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