Feedback The situation of Indigenous Peoples in Russian Federation – the report by Anti-Discrimination Centre Memorial Brussels and International Committee of Indigenous Peoples of Russia
Contents:
- Summary
- Repression against activists defending the rights of Indigenous peoples
- Promotion of the official position of Russian authorities through the UN institutions and mechanisms created for Indigenous peoples
- Impact of the war on Indigenous communities
Summary
In Russia, special legislation protects only 47 small Indigenous peoples included into a special register (less than 50,000 people). The Indigenous peoples of the Russian Federation remain one of the vulnerable groups of the population, and their physical survival, preservation of their traditional way of life, culture, and languages are threatened by constant factors (globalization, russification, environmental problems, etc.). According to the data of the last population census (2021), over the past decade, the number of 67% of them has decreased, and some are on the verge of extinction. The standard of living of Indigenous peoples who lead a traditional lifestyle is significantly lower than the average for the country or their regions of residence.
In recent years, the Indigenous peoples of Russia have been negatively affected not only by global crisis events such as the pandemic, climate change, or global economic problems, but also by human rights violations related directly or indirectly to Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine. Conscription and the imposition of contract service have mostly affected the poorest regions of Russia, precisely those where ethnic minorities live, thus they disproportionately suffer from mobilization. The participation of Indigenous peoples in the war, which threatens their physical survival, is rather forced and explained by economic reasons: a contract with the Russian army is becoming almost the only opportunity to earn money, pay off debts and loans. Receiving huge payments for participation in hostilities improves the economic situation of families in the short term, but the absence of men and/or their death/injury has catastrophic consequences for Indigenous communities, including in terms of the traditional economy and lifestyle.
At the same time, environmental risks caused by the destruction of traditional territories also continue to take place. The Indigenous peoples of Russia continue to suffer from the activities of mining companies, such as coal mines, alluvial gold mining, and oil spills. The sanctions imposed on the export of Russian coal and other energy resources have not led to a reduction in environmental damage, which negatively affects the ability to engage in traditional economic activities. Repression against civil society, including the application of legislation on “foreign agents” and “undesirable organizations”, has made it almost impossible for the activity of ecological and environmental organizations, whose agenda is closely linked to the problems of Indigenous peoples and their traditional territories. As a result of the sanctions, foreign mining companies have left Russia, while they used to apply standards of social responsibility and environmental safety to a greater extent than the Russian companies that replaced them.
Criminalization of civil activism and human rights activities of Indigenous peoples has become the most sensitive issue of recent times, relevant to all aspects of the life of the Indigenous peoples of Russia. In 2024, both the activists who were forced to emigrate and those who remained in the country and their formal and informal organizations and groups were recognized first as “extremists” and then as “terrorists”, and were included into the respective state registers. This entails criminal prosecution and leaves no practical opportunity to participate in public activities guaranteed by law, including in making decisions concerning Indigenous peoples, insisting on their position when interacting with government agencies or businesses, and fully participating in public discussions.