Regional Law No. 626-ZRT “On guarantees of the rights of indigenous peoples living on the regional territory.”

This Regional Law establishes powers of the regional state authorities, local self-government bodies of municipal units on the regional territory for the protection of the original places of living, traditional way of life, economic activities and traditional practices of indigenous small-numbered indigenous peoples of the Russian Federation on the regional territory. Indigenous small-numbered indigenous peoples of the Russian Federation living on the regional territory shall be intended peoples living in the Republic of Tuva in the territories of traditional settlement of their ancestors, preserving the traditional way of life, economic activities and practices, numbering less than 50 thousand of people who consider themselves independent ethnic communities. Traditional activities and practices of indigenous small-numbered indigenous peoples shall be intended activities based on national traditions of the development of the environment and long-term, ecologically balanced use of basically renewable natural resources without undermining the ability to sustainably reproduction. This Regional Law guarantees: (a) allotment to small-numbered indigenous peoples of the territories of their traditional living and traditional economic activities within the boundaries sufficient to ensure the original development, preservation of environment and guaranteed reproduction of consumed natural resources; (b) creation of the necessary conditions for the preservation of national culture, economic, political and social development of small-numbered indigenous peoples; (c) realization of the rights of small-numbered indigenous peoples; (d) respect for the national dignity of small-numbered indigenous peoples, their culture, language, traditions, as well as customs that comply with federal and regional legislation; (e) functioning of the associations of small-numbered indigenous peoples; and (f) liability of organizations, officials and citizens violating the rights and legitimate interests of small-numbered indigenous peoples. This Regional Law envisages state financial, social and information support of small-numbered indigenous peoples.