Tajik officials spoke out about migrants

Tajik officials have expressed concern over the violation of the rights of Tajik citizens in Russia.

On October 7, 2024, a meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the CIS countries took place in Moscow. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan, Sirojiddin Muhriddin, participated in the event.

During his speech, the minister also addressed the issue of violations of the rights of Tajik citizens in some CIS countries. In particular, the head of the Tajik Foreign Ministry mentioned Tajik migrants and students who face difficulties when entering these countries.

Sirojiddin Muhriddin noted that Tajik students, including those who have enrolled in foreign universities under government quotas, face unfounded restrictions and bans on entry into this country. According to him, such treatment does not align with the fundamental principles of humanitarianism and calls into question the basic principles of the Commonwealth of Independent States’ activities.

The head of the Tajik foreign ministry also emphasized the need for a comprehensive, specific, and transparent approach to solving migration issues, taking into account the interests of the host country, the country of origin, as well as the migrant workers and the local population.

Although the Tajik Foreign Minister did not mention a specific country, it is known that recently Tajik migrants and students have faced difficulties in Russia, with mass entry bans, expulsions, deportations, and challenges upon entry also observed in this country.

Earlier, the Prime Minister of Tajikistan, Kohir Rasulzoda, at a meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between Russia and Tajikistan, also expressed concern about the situation of Tajik citizens in Russia during events related to the regulation of migration.

“The number of cases of denial of entry, bans on entry, and deportation of citizens of the Republic of Tajikistan under broad and vague formulations of ensuring security is increasing,” Rasulzoda noted.

According to the Prime Minister, at the border when entering Russia, citizens of the republic, including members of official delegations, students, elderly people, and children, are detained for hours and even days.

Rasulzoda urged his Russian colleagues to “move towards truly effective solutions in the area of migration interaction,” which would contribute to strengthening mutual understanding between the countries.

This is not the first time that Tajik officials have expressed concern about the situation of Tajik migrants in Russia. Previously, even President Emomali Rahmon, in a conversation with his colleague Vladimir Putin, pointed out the difficulties faced by Tajik migrants in Russia. However, the situation has not changed; on the contrary, the deportation and expulsion of Tajik migrants is gaining momentum.

After the bloody attack on “Krokus City Hall” and the hostage-taking at a Volgograd prison, in which citizens of Tajikistan are considered suspects, law enforcement agencies in Russia have intensified control over Tajik citizens and tightened migration policy.