Incidents of harassment and violence against Central Asians in Russia continue to increase in the wake of the March 22 terrorist attack at Moscow’s Crocus City Hall.
Russian authorities arrested four ethnic Tajiks and charged them with carrying out the attack that left more than 140 people dead.
At least 13 other people have been detained in connection with the terrorist act, 11 of whom are also ethnic Tajiks.
Human Rights Watch wrote on April 5 that, “Migrants from Central Asia and other people of non-Slavic appearance are facing a notable increase in ethnic harassment and attacks in Russia…”
A week after the attack, RFE/RL’s Tajik Service, Ozodi, spoke with Tajik migrant laborers in Moscow who said police were detaining Central Asians “by the dozens.”
An Uzbek migrant laborer told Ozodi he was one of a group of people who were detained and spent 10 hours having their passports, documents, and phones checked by police.
The Uzbek said, “The Tajiks they caught… were beaten with batons. With us Uzbeks [the police] didn’t do that. They just spoke rudely and insulted us.”
Lawyer and well-known defender of Central Asian migrants’ rights Valentina Chupik told Ozodi her office has been receiving at least 1,000 appeals a day about illegal detentions and rights violations.
“If it’s possible, go back home,” she advised Central Asian laborers.
Russian authorities are already deporting large numbers of Central Asian migrant laborers after raids uncovered many without proper work documents.
On April 3, elite police raided a Moscow dormitory where many Tajiks live, detaining more than 60 people, most of whom were deported.
There are reports that some Tajiks planning on going to work in Russia have instead canceled their tickets.
Russia’s Interior Ministry announced new rules for all foreigners that include mandatory fingerprinting and photographing upon entry and a reduction of the legal duration of stay from 180 days to 90.
Why It’s Important: Many Tajiks, and other Central Asians in Russia, are afraid to leave their homes.
Moscow city authorities advised Muslims not to attend Friday prayers on March 5.
Human Rights Watch wrote, “Rather than condemn the xenophobic violence and harassment, Russian authorities have carried out raids and checks against migrants from Central Asia, especially Tajiks.”
Millions of Central Asians work in Russia and their remittances to families back home are essential to millions more people.
A loss of billions of dollars from these Central Asian migrant workers will create huge economic problems for their families and homelands.