UN Committee Warns Russia: Anti-Terrorism Laws Must Not Be Used Against Indigenous Rights Defenders
A new letter from the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) raises serious concerns about the use of anti-extremism legislation against human rights defenders and civil society representatives working on Indigenous Peoples’ rights in Russia. Although the Committee does not mention Daria Egereva or Natalia Leongardt by name, its concerns are directly relevant to the circumstances of their prosecution.
On August 25, 2026, CERD Chair Gün Kut sent a follow-up letter to the Russian authorities concerning the implementation of the Committee’s previous recommendations. The letter addresses several issues relating to the rights of Indigenous Peoples in Russia, including the situation of human rights defenders, participation in decision-making, environmental procedures and the Indigenous Peoples’ registry.
The Committee asks Russia to provide updated and detailed information on several issues, including:
what safeguards ensure that anti-extremism legislation is not used to intimidate, arrest, detain or prosecute human rights defenders and civil society representatives working on Indigenous rights;
how effective and meaningful consultation with Indigenous Peoples is ensured concerning projects affecting their lands and resources;
how recent changes to environmental and public-hearing procedures affect Indigenous participation;
how the Indigenous Peoples’ registry complies with the principle of self-identification and whether registration creates barriers to the exercise of Indigenous rights.
CERD indicates that it intends to return to these matters when considering Russia’s 27th–29th periodic reports.
Why the letter matters for Daria and Natalia
This is particularly important in the case of Egereva and Leongardt, who are being prosecuted under anti-terrorism legislation in connection with their alleged links to the Aborigen Forum.
The CERD letter thus adds another international human rights mechanism to the growing body of concern surrounding the treatment of Indigenous rights defenders in Russia.
Together with the April 2026 communication from ten UN Special Procedures mandate holders, it demonstrates that the situation of Indigenous rights defenders in Russia has attracted attention from different UN human rights mechanisms.
Sevr Nuu
Daria Egereva and Natalia Leongardt must be released!
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