Jailed Indigenous Russian leader, activist ‘missing’ at Bonn climate talks – EnviroNews

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While the UN climate talks preparing COP31 have begun in Bonn this week, Daria Egereva, an ethnic Selkup, Indigenous leader and climate activist, has been awaiting trial in Russian jail since December 17, 2025, when a large-scale, coordinated wave of repressive actions against Indigenous Peoples and their human rights defenders took place.

Daria was detained shortly after coming back from UN climate talks in Belém, Brazil. 

On Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in Bonn, the International Indigenous Peoples’ Forum on Climate Change (IIPFCC) made a historical and powerful decision to retain and confirm Daria as the third co-chair of the Forum until her unconditional release. 

At least 17 Indigenous activists across the country were subjected to searches and interrogations the same day as Daria. Natalia Leongardt, an experienced Russian human rights defender, is also detained and facing the same charges – “participating in the activities of a terrorist organisation” under Article 205.5 of the Russian Criminal Code. 

If confirmed during the trial, this charge carries a prison sentence of 10 to 20 years. Law enforcement agencies are particularly focused on those involved in international advocacy, collaborating with UN bodies, and raising issues of Indigenous rights violations at the international level. 

On 6th of June, 10 UN special procedures issued communications to the Russian government regarding the case of Daria Egereva and Natalia Leongardt. This is a rather rare situation for this system of independent human rights experts, as it was signed by ten UN mandates at once: the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Russia, the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, the Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders, as well as the Special Rapporteurs on freedom of expression, freedom of peaceful assembly and association, counter-terrorism, women’s rights, climate change, and the right to a healthy environment. The communication was made public now as Russian authorities did not reply after 60 days.

The next hearing on the extension of Daria’s and Natalia’s detention will be held on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at 5:45 PM (Moscow Time) in Basmanny District Court.

 Daria has advocated for Indigenous rights in international forums, including the United Nations and global climate negotiations. She has also served as Co-Chair of the International Indigenous Peoples’ Forum on Climate Change, representing Indigenous communities affected by climate and environmental policies.

In December 2025, Russian authorities raided her home and arrested her, charging her with alleged involvement in a “terrorist organisation” – a claim widely condemned as fabricated. Human rights groups say her prosecution is retaliation for her peaceful advocacy and international work, and warn it reflects a broader crackdown on Indigenous and civil society activists in Russia.