An intense debate has broken out among the Volga Tatars that is likely to spread to other non-Russians now within the borders of the Russian Federation: should they or even can they reject the Soviet nation-building project that helped give them their current form as they seek a continuing role for themselves in the future?

Free Idel-Ural civic movement started a campaign under such slogan in order to collect signatures under petition to Rustam Minnikhanov, President of Tatarstan.

Russian propagandists burst with indignations about common photo of Ukrainian politicians in front of Idel-Ural political map.

Bashkort, Bashkir public organization, launched a call to voters in Republic of Bashkortostan, encouraging them to give “Not a single voice to Edinaya Rossiya party candidates”! Except boycott of ruling party candidates, Bashkort asked its supporters to actively participate in elections as observers and members of election committees.

Is almost 500 days since authorities of Republic of Mordovia accepted Free Idel-Ural’s appeal about building of monument to Inyazor Purgaz, famous Erzyan war-lord and national hero. Until now officials have not allocated a lot land for the project, while Erzya people already crowdfunded money for the monument.

It was recently revealed that Kambarka, an old plant for elimination of chemical weapon in Udmurtia, is going to be reconstructed into waste processing complex for pollutants of I – II classes.

Initiative group was not registered under pretext of one its members’ resign. Iya Boronina, environmental lawyer, filed a claim to investigative committee and office of public prosecutor about pressure she is being exposed to, as reported by Nelya Biktimirova, correspondent of Idel.Realii.

When a government engages in mass murder or forcible deportations, most observers see that as a clear sign of ethnic engineering—even if there are unresolved debates as to whether such actions fall under the terms of the international convention against genocide. Yet, when the powers that be change the composition of the population of a region by encouraging the emigration of some groups, the immigration of others, or a combination thereof, few see this process for what it is: slow-motion ethnic engineering in ways that approach (even if they may technically fall short of) acts of genocide as defined by the United Nations (Ohchr.org, January 12, 1951).

On July 20, 2019 Free Idel-Ural civic movement joined celebration of Captive Nations Week, that is traditionally held every third week of July in the United States of America.

Kamil’ Sukaev, representative of Free Idel-Ural in America, organized stand-alone picket on Times Square with banner saying “Russia is concentration camp of nations”. During an hour Sukaev communicated with journalists and passers-by, told them about situation with human rights of native peoples in Russia and necessity for republics of Povolzhye (russian name for Idel-Ural region) to make secession from Russian Federation.

On July 13, 2019 Rasken’ Ozks, the ancestral prayer of Erzyan people took place in Erzyano-Mokshania (Republic of Mordovia). On the eve of this event Council of Elders (erz. Atyan’ Ezem) chosen chief elder of Erzyan people, Inyazor, by secret ballot. Syres’ Boliayen’, chairman of Erzyan Val society and co-founder of Free Idel-Ural movement, was chosen as new Inyazor; he permanently lives in Ukraine and his candidacy was supported by 12 from 18 elders of the Council.

During third week of July Captive Nations Week is traditionally celebrated in the United States of America. 1959 law authorizes president of the USA to proclaim Captive Nations Week each year – until such time as freedom and independence shall have been achieved for all the captive nations of the world.

On Saturday, 13 July, in Erzyano-Mokshania (Republic of Mordovia) Ras’ken’ Ozks was held as the biggest ancestral prayer of Erzyan people. Village of Chukaly in Bolsheignatovsky district became the traditional place of this gathering, where prominent battle of Erzya against Nogai horde took place in 1612.

Leaders of Bashkir organization “Bashkort”, Fail’ Alsinov and activist Ramil’ Rakhmatov, were driven to local FSB station. Activists, according to article 188 Criminal Procedure Code of Russian Federation (Procedure for the summoning to interrogation), were delivered as witnesses. This is being reported by Idel.Realii news portal, referring to comments “Bashkort” organization.

Ramilya Saitova, Bashkir human rights advocate, ended up in emergency ward after she was dragged to local FSB department in Bashkortostan. According to her, she feels very bad, because her head was injured during detention. This is being reported by ProUfu portal.

Kyiv officially appealed to international community with initiative to impose sanctions against Moscow for violation of native people’s rights in Russian Federation. Corresponding resolution was approved by Ukrainian parliament on May 30, 2019.