The Society for Threatened Peoples (STP) is deeply concerned about the trial of indigenous human rights defender Daria Egereva, which begins tomorrow, February 11, in Russia. The co-chair of the International Indigenous Forum on Climate Change (IIPFCC) was arrested on December 17, 2025, and has been in custody ever since. She is accused of participating in a terrorist organization (Article 205.5), for which she faces a prison sentence of between ten and 20 years.
“We are very concerned about Daria Egereva’s safety. She is one of the few remaining indigenous human rights defenders in Russia. Many have already fled into exile due to persecution or fear of further reprisals. Her arrest is exemplary of the systematic criminalization of indigenous activists in Russia,” says Sarah Reinke, head of human rights work at the STP. “Daria Egereva has always peacefully advocated for the rights of Indigenous Peoples and climate protection. The charges against her are politically motivated. We demand her immediate release,” Reinke emphasizes.
The STP calls on the international community to follow the case closely. “Daria Egereva needs international attention because she cannot count on support in Russia itself,” said Reinke.
Daria Egereva belongs to the Selkup people, one of the smallest Indigenous Peoples in Russia with a total of about 3,500 members. The Indigenous Peoples of Siberia, the Arctic, and the Far East are among the poorest sections of the population. They have no political influence and no effective mechanisms to protect their rights within Russia. Daria Egereva has been campaigning for indigenous rights for decades, including at the United Nations.
As an indigenous representative, she has participated in several world climate conferences, including COP28, COP29, and COP30, as well as the United Nations Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP) and the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (PFII). Since 2023, she has been co-chair of the IIPFCC (International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Climate Change). She is also a member of the Facilitated Working Group of the Local Communities Indigenous Peoples Platform (LCIPP) and has contributed to the development of structured mechanisms for cooperation between states and Indigenous Peoples within the framework of the UNFCCC.
This press release was translated from German to English using AI. If you come across errors or ambiguities, please contact us at 65]G378o6DD6CA.
Contact: Sarah Reinke, Head of Human Rights Work – 65]G378o6<?:6C]D