Debatable Issues on Land Rights Protection of Indigenous Small-numbered Peoples of the North, Siberia and the Far East of the Russian Federation

Abstract

Abstract The article presents the authors’ ideas concerning the legal nature of land rights of indigenous small-numbered peoples in Russia. It should be noted that land rights of indigenous small-numbered peoples are part of their special constitutional legal personality, an essential element of their legal status. On the basis of international acts on the rights of indigenous peoples, the opportunity to give indigenous small-numbered peoples of Russia their traditional land to use on the grounds of ownership is assessed as non-promising. The article scrutinises the system of land rights of indigenous small-numbered peoples that is established in Russia. The authors point to the imperfection of the legislation in this area, which may lead to violation of the rights of indigenous small-numbered peoples. It should be noted that one of the most important state guarantees is the right of indigenous small-numbered peoples to free and indefinite use of lands.