UN Experts Accuse Russia of Misusing Anti-Terrorism Legislation

Cases of Daria Egereva and Natalia Leongardt cited among examples

UN experts have stated that Russian authorities are systematically abusing anti-terrorism and anti-extremism legislation to suppress civil society, human rights activities, and anti-war expression.

In a published statement, UN Special Rapporteurs noted that since the start of the war against Ukraine in 2022, pressure on independent organizations has sharply intensified.

“Since the start of the war against Ukraine in 2022, Russian authorities have accelerated their crackdown on fundamental freedoms, systematically dismantling what remains of independent civil society,” the document states.

According to the experts, authorities actively use mechanisms such as designating organizations as “undesirable” or “foreign agents,” as well as adding individuals and groups to lists of “terrorists and extremists.” To date, these lists include hundreds of organizations and tens of thousands of individuals.

Cases of Egereva and Leongardt

Among the examples cited by UN experts are the cases of Indigenous rights defenders Daria Egereva and Natalia Leongardt.

Both were detained on December 17, 2025, and charged with participation in a “terrorist organization” for their involvement in the so-called “Aborigen Forum”, an independent network of activists advocating for the rights of Indigenous peoples in Russia.

Experts expressed particular concern over Egereva’s case. The statement notes that she “appears also to have been targeted for her work with the United Nations,” where she participated in international initiatives related to Indigenous rights and the climate agenda.

“A deliberate strategy”

The experts believe such cases are part of a broader systemic policy.

“We condemn this deliberate strategy of using counter-extremism and counter-terrorism mechanisms to dismantle civil society, criminalize and imprison human rights defenders, and target those who seek their support,” they emphasized.

The statement also notes that repression affects human rights organizations, anti-war activists, and independent initiatives, including major groups such as Memorial and the Anti-Corruption Foundation.

Call to end persecution

UN experts called on Russian authorities to immediately halt judicial proceedings against human rights defenders and critics of the war, and to release all those detained without legal grounds for their peaceful human rights activities.

“We are deeply alarmed by this blatant misuse of anti-terrorism and anti-extremism legislation to criminalize peaceful expression and anti-war positions,” the statement says.

According to the experts, such practices lead to the “complete destruction of civil society” and must be stopped.

Who signed the statement

The statement was signed by representatives of UN special procedures, including:

• Mariana Katzarova — Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation;

• Matthew Gillett, Hanna Yudkivska, Ethan Hee-Seok Shin, Miriam Estrada Castillo, and Mumba Malila — members of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention;

• Ben Saul — Special Rapporteur on human rights while countering terrorism;

• Mary Lawlor — Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders;

• Irene Khan — Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression.

Special procedures of the Human Rights Council are independent mechanisms tasked with fact-finding and monitoring. Experts are appointed to examine country situations or thematic issues. They are not UN staff, receive no salary, and operate independently of governments and organizations.

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