We express our solidarity with and support for Russia’s Indigenous minority peoples.
Free Russia Foundation strongly condemns the persecution of defenders of Indigenous rights in the North, Siberia, and the Far East of Russia.
On 17–18 December 2025, Russian security services carried out mass searches targeting at least 17 activists advocating for the rights of Indigenous peoples.
Among those detained was Daria Egereva, a representative of the Selkup people and a former participant in the Aborigen Forum. She was arrested and charged with participation in a “terrorist organization.” For her work defending the culture, traditional way of life, and rights of her people, she now faces up to 20 years in prison.
Shor activist Alexey Chispiyakov was also detained for questioning. In April 2025, he spoke at the UN Indigenous Peoples Forum, where he openly criticized the policies of the Russian authorities toward Indigenous communities:
We express our solidarity with and support for Russia’s Indigenous minority peoples.
Free Russia Foundation strongly condemns the persecution of defenders of Indigenous rights in the North, Siberia, and the Far East of Russia.
On 17–18 December 2025, Russian security services carried out mass searches targeting at least 17 activists advocating for the rights of Indigenous peoples.
Among those detained was Daria Egereva, a representative of the Selkup people and a former participant in the Aborigen Forum. She was arrested and charged with participation in a “terrorist organization.” For her work defending the culture, traditional way of life, and rights of her people, she now faces up to 20 years in prison.
Shor activist Alexey Chispiyakov was also detained for questioning. In April 2025, he spoke at the UN Indigenous Peoples Forum, where he openly criticized the policies of the Russian authorities toward Indigenous communities:
“Our people are fined for catching fish for personal consumption. On hunting lands where our ancestors hunted for centuries, today we are only allowed to hunt if we pay.“
“Our people are fined for catching fish for personal consumption. On hunting lands where our ancestors hunted for centuries, today we are only allowed to hunt if we pay.“
The basis for Chispiyakov’s persecution is his alleged cooperation with the Aborigen Forum-an informal network of activists and experts representing the Indigenous peoples of Russia’s North, Siberia, and Far East.
In the summer of 2024, Aborigen Forum, along with approximately 50 other civil society organizations, was designated “extremist” as an alleged “structural subdivision” of a fictitious “Anti-Russian Separatist Movement.” Following this designation, the organization was forced to dissolve itself; nevertheless, its former participants continue to face retroactive persecution.
Russia’s Indigenous Minority Peoples-40 distinct peoples with a total population of fewer than 250,000-remain among the country’s most vulnerable population. They are disproportionately sent to war, deprived of access to their traditional livelihoods, and subjected to systematic violations of their right to preserve their way of life.
For many years, international platforms, including the United Nations, remained the only spaces where representatives of Indigenous peoples could openly speak about these abuses.
Today, they are being persecuted precisely for this-for attempting to tell the truth about what is happening in Russia.
Free Russia Foundation expresses its full support for Russia’s Indigenous Minority Peoples, their activists, and human rights defenders, and underscores the absolute unacceptability of repression against those who peacefully defend their rights, culture, and human dignity.
The basis for Chispiyakov’s persecution is his alleged cooperation with the Aborigen Forum-an informal network of activists and experts representing the Indigenous peoples of Russia’s North, Siberia, and Far East.
In the summer of 2024, Aborigen Forum, along with approximately 50 other civil society organizations, was designated “extremist” as an alleged “structural subdivision” of a fictitious “Anti-Russian Separatist Movement.” Following this designation, the organization was forced to dissolve itself; nevertheless, its former participants continue to face retroactive persecution.
Russia’s Indigenous Minority Peoples-40 distinct peoples with a total population of fewer than 250,000-remain among the country’s most vulnerable population. They are disproportionately sent to war, deprived of access to their traditional livelihoods, and subjected to systematic violations of their right to preserve their way of life.
For many years, international platforms, including the United Nations, remained the only spaces where representatives of Indigenous peoples could openly speak about these abuses.
Today, they are being persecuted precisely for this-for attempting to tell the truth about what is happening in Russia.
Free Russia Foundation expresses its full support for Russia’s Indigenous Minority Peoples, their activists, and human rights defenders, and underscores the absolute unacceptability of repression against those who peacefully defend their rights, culture, and human dignity.