55 Russian indigenous, regional and ethno groups labeled as extremists
“The repressive machine is gathering momentum. The methods of persecution against indigenous rights activists are intensifying,” says the International committee of indigenous peoples of Russia after the Ministry on Justice added them and many more to the list of extremist organizations.
“Now, any opinion and statement aimed at protecting rights in Russia is considered extremist,” says Andrei Danilov to the Barents Observer
Danilov is a Sami from the Kola Peninsula, nowadays living in exile in northern Norway.
“We are deeply alarmed by our inclusion in the extremist list,” he says.
Danilov is member of the International committee of indigenous peoples of Russia, one of 55 organizations that were labeled as extremists on July 26.
“Anti-Russian separatists”
The Justice Ministry says the groups are anti-Russia separatist movement aimed at destroying the territorial integrity of Russia.
Danilov denies that any such separatist movement exists.
“Putin’s regime doesn’t want truth both inside Russia and on international platforms from indigenous peoples. So this shows the indigenous peoples of Russia now have no rights and no voice. They can only do what the authorities say.”
The extremism law is used to silence voices of opposition and those still voicing anti-war arguments.
Severe consequences
Lengthy prison terms, cut off from financial transactions and other repressive measures can be imposed on individuals working with groups labeled extremists.
Other organizations on the updated extremist list includes Aborigen Forum, the Karelian National Movement, the regional movement Pomorskaya Sloboda and Free Pomorye. The two last represents people from the Arkhangelsk region on the coast to the White Sea.
Despite living in exile, Andrei Danilov says his organization will continue to fight.
“For the rights of our peoples,” he states.
“The international community must now realize that the truth can only be heard from indigenous people who are forced to leave Russia. We call on everyone to join the defense of the rights and freedoms of indigenous peoples in Russia,” Andrei Danilov says.
Non-existence
Russia’s Ministry of Justice has previously added what they call LGBT movement on the extremist blacklist, although no organization with such name exists.
Authorities have since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 intensified the abuse of its anti-extremism legislation.
Simultaneously as non-governmental organizations and civil-society movements are branded as extremists is Russia removing Taliban from its list of banned terrorist organizations.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: CSIS warning Inuit leaders about covert foreign investment in Arctic, documents show, CBC News
Finland: Finnish Court annuls 2023 Sámi elections, The Independent Barents Observer
Sweden: Land use rights a key issue in this year’s Sami parliamentary elections in Sweden, Radio Sweden
