ADC Memorial and the International Committee of the Indigenous Peoples of Russia (ICIPR) have submitted two analytical reports to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in response to his calls for input on key thematic issues.
The first report responds to the Special Rapporteur’s invitation for contributions to his upcoming thematic report, which will be presented at the 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council in September 2025. This report will examine how states identify and officially recognize Indigenous peoples. The Special Rapporteur has highlighted persistent challenges — including vague definitions, unclear terminology, and inadequate legal frameworks — that hinder the full implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and related international standards. His upcoming report aims to address these barriers, spotlight effective recognition practices, and propose strategies to rectify historical injustices.
The second submission is intended for the Special Rapporteur’s annual report to be delivered at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in October 2025. This report will focus on the identification, documentation, demarcation, registration, and titling of Indigenous peoples’ lands. It will review legal and procedural frameworks, assess implementation obstacles, and highlight successful practices with the goal of strengthening Indigenous land rights globally.
In their contributions to both reports, ADC Memorial and ICIPR emphasize the growing repression of Indigenous activists and rights defenders in the Russian Federation. They underscore that the criminalization of Indigenous advocacy has rendered constructive dialogue between Indigenous communities and the state virtually impossible — a reality that gravely undermines both recognition and the protection of Indigenous rights.