Legislators plan to draft more acts protecting the rights of small-numbered peoples of the Russian North, substantiating the status of a representative of a small indigenous ethnic group, their rights and mechanisms for exercising them.

“I would say that they (the rights of indigenous peoples – Ed.) are insufficiently covered in Russian laws. And today we have the opportunity to develop a wider concept, a development strategy in this regard and supplement what we have,” Human Rights Commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova said at the Arctic Indigenous People's Summit in Moscow.

The agenda of the event also included current aspects of the preservation and development of small-numbered indigenous peoples’ languages, cultural heritage and lifestyle in modern conditions.

State Duma deputy from the Chukotka Autonomous Area, member of the Committee on Nationalities Yelena Yevtyukhova said that the accent was put on the potential of the traditional economy and the modernization of traditional subsistence systems. 

“These extremely important issues concern thousands of people in the Russian Arctic, those who consider this beautiful and harsh land their home. It is our major common goal to make every effort to establish a comfortable life in these unique regions. Improving legislation to protect the rights of indigenous minorities of the Russian Federation is our main priority,” she stressed in her speech.

Major strategic documents for the development of Russia’s northern territories are in the works at the federal and regional levels today; legislative acts are being amended to close the existing gaps, she added.