Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan Warn Citizens Against Travel to Russia Amid Crackdown on Central Asian Migrants

Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have advised their citizens to avoid traveling to Russia amid a crackdown on Central Asian migrants following a deadly terrorist attack near Moscow in March. The warnings come as Russian authorities have detained dozens of people, mostly from Central Asia, in connection with the attack on the Crocus City Hall concert venue that left 139 people dead.

Why this matters: The mistreatment of Central Asian migrants in Russia has significant implications for the economies of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, which heavily rely on remittances from migrant workers. This situation also highlights the challenges faced by migrant communities and the need for governments to protect their rights abroad.

The Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry issued its warning on Thursday, citing the detention of Central Asian migrant workers and visitors in Russia. The ministry has set up hotlines to inform the Kyrgyz diaspora in Russia about the situation and to assist any facing difficulties. Several Kyrgyz nationals were detained upon arrival at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport and held in the airport's detention center along with scores of other Central Asian citizens. Despite having valid documents, first-time visitors to Moscow were denied entry into the country.

Tajikistan issued a similar warning to its citizens last weekend, urging them to refrain from traveling to Russia. The Tajik Foreign Ministry expressed concerns about Tajik nationals being unjustifiably denied entry to Russia and facing increased scrutiny from Russian authorities. Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Mukhriddin stated on April 12 that an "ill-conceived information campaign in Russia" was creating a negative perception of Tajiks. He also condemned the treatment of Tajik suspects held in connection with the attack, amid allegations that the detainees were tortured in custody.

Human rights organizations and Tajik officials have reported rising levels of xenophobia against Central Asians in Russia following the March 22 attack on the Crocus City Hall concert venue. Russian authorities have arrested 11 Tajik citizens and a Kyrgyzstan-born Russian citizen in connection with the attack. The self-exiled leader of the opposition Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan, Muhiddin Kabiri, has expressed doubts about the involvement of Tajiks in plotting and carrying out the terrorist attack. He suggested that they may have been used as tools by intelligence agencies.

In response to the attack, Russian authorities have tightened border controls and increased checks on individuals arriving to and leaving Russia. Anti-terrorist operations are being conducted, and Kyrgyz citizens who are blacklisted or have previously broken Russian laws are being barred from entering the country. Russian human rights defender Valentina Chupik reported receiving 1,018 complaints in a 36-hour period from citizens of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan who claimed they were illegally detained by Russian police. Some alleged they were beaten, while others were deported from Russia.

The travel warnings and reported mistreatment of Central Asian migrants in Russia have raised concerns among human rights advocates and highlighted the challenges faced by these communities. Central Asian economies, particularly Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, heavily rely on remittances from migrant workers in Russia. According to Tajik labor officials, more than 652,000 Tajik citizens traveled to Russia for work in 2023. Remittances from abroad, primarily from Russia, account for about a third of Tajikistan's GDP. The current situation has the potential to significantly impact the livelihoods of many Central Asian families and the economies of their home countries.

The investigation into the Crocus City Hall attack continues, and tensions remain high, with the governments of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan closely monitoring the situation in Russia. They are working to ensure the safety and well-being of their citizens while addressing the complex diplomatic challenges posed by the current climate of heightened security measures and xenophobia in Russia.

Key Takeaways

• Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan advise citizens to avoid travel to Russia due to crackdown on Central Asian migrants.
• Dozens of Central Asians detained in Russia in connection with a deadly terrorist attack near Moscow.
• Mistreatment of migrants has significant implications for Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan's economies, which rely on remittances.
• Human rights groups report rising xenophobia against Central Asians in Russia, with allegations of torture and illegal detention.
• The situation may impact the livelihoods of many Central Asian families and the economies of their home countries.