Tajikistan’s Human Rights Ombudsman, Umed Bobozoda, stated that he had sent more than 10 letters to his Russian counterpart, Tatyana Moskalkova, regarding violations of the rights of Tajik migrants in Russia. However, he only received a response to his most recent letter, sent in October 2024. He shared this information with journalists at a news conference in Dushanbe on January 27, 2025.
“In her response, she promised to protect the rights of Tajik labor migrants. She noted that our concerns had been discussed, including with Russia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, which stated that they would take this issue under control. However, how exactly this will be implemented is still unclear,” said Tajikistan’s Ombudsman.
Bobozoda emphasized that the numerous appeals from the Tajik side were prompted by videos posted on social media documenting violations of migrants’ rights.
In October of last year, he sent a request to Moskalkova expressing concern about law enforcement officers’ use of prohibited methods during document checks for migrants.
The request also raised the issue of poor conditions for detained Tajik citizens at border crossings.
“Tajik citizens are often detained at the border for extended periods, sometimes for several days, without adequate food or proper conditions. Among them are public sector employees, students, elderly individuals, women, and children,” the request sent to Moskalkova stated.
Bobozoda at that time urged his Russian counterpart to pay attention to these incidents and to facilitate the protection of Tajik migrants’ rights.
Tajikistan’s Ombudsman also spoke about his trip to Moscow in 2024, during which he attempted to meet with Tajiks detained on suspicion of involvement in a terrorist act at “Crocus,” but he was not allowed to see them.
During that trip, Bobozoda said he discussed the situation with Tatyana Moskalkova over the phone. The Russian Ombudsman acknowledged that publicly displaying the detainees on television after they had been beaten was a violation of norms.
“It’s unjust to show them as accused before the court process is complete, and even worse, to beat them, violating their rights,” Bobozoda stressed, adding that such an approach is a severe infringement of human rights.
Moskalkova agreed that the situation requires careful examination and action within the framework of the law.
Tajikistan’s Ombudsman expressed hope that the Russian side would take measures to protect the rights of Tajik migrants and prevent similar cases in the future.
It is to be noted that the life of Tajik migrant workers in Russia has consistently deteriorated in recent years, especially after the launch by Russia of the so-called “special military operation” in Ukraine in February 2022. However, after the Crocus City Hall terrorist attack, the pressure on labor migrants from Tajikistan has increased even more.
Starting February 5, 2025, a migration expulsion regime will be introduced in Russia. One of the laws signed by the president allows the Ministry of Internal Affairs to deport migrants without a court decision, a power previously limited to courts and border services.
