Human Rights Watch: migrants from Central Asia are in danger due to rising levels of violence and oppression in Russia

Migrants from Central Asia and other people of non-Slavic appearance are facing a noticeable increase in ethnic harassment and attacks in Russia following the attack on March 22, 2024, on a concert hall on the outskirts of Moscow, Human Rights Watch reported today.

Media reports indicate a rise in ethnic profiling, xenophobic harassment, and violent attacks by individuals and government officials, including arbitrary arrests and prolonged detention after several Tajiks were arrested in connection with the attack. This follows apparent torture of at least two suspects, citizens of Tajikistan, by law enforcement officials, as well as an increase in anti-migrant rhetoric from Russian authorities.

“Russian authorities must proclaim and implement a policy of absolute intolerance towards attacks and persecution of residents of Central Asia,” said Tanya Lokshina, deputy director of Human Rights Watch for Europe and Central Asia. “Authorities must stop ethnic profiling of migrants from Central Asia, arbitrary arrests, and prolonged detention, and instead ensure their safety, thoroughly investigate all xenophobic incidents, and hold those responsible accountable.”

In the two weeks following the attack, media reported a wide range of incidents: from denial of services to migrants from Central Asia to job dismissals, physical intimidation accompanied by anti-migrant insults and slogans, and violence based on xenophobia. Reports include destruction of property belonging to migrants, beatings by groups of people, as well as attacks using pepper spray and knives.

Tajik migrants in Russia have told the media about the increased hostility towards them and attempts to hide their citizenship out of fear of reprisals. A Tajik migrant living in Moscow, who requested not to be named for her safety, told Human Rights Watch that she is afraid to go outside, as she has already faced “suspicious glances” and aggressive calls to “get out of Russia.”

Human rights defenders say they have been inundated with calls and requests for help from migrants from Central Asia. A well-known Russian human rights research organization reported a surge in violence from ultra-nationalists against people they consider non-Slavic and migrants. Videos of beatings, property destruction, hooliganism, and harassment are being posted on Telegram channels associated with ultra-nationalists, tagged “revenge for ‘Krokus City Hall.’” In a video published on March 30, two young men are seen chasing a man peacefully walking near a residential building and beating him. The video is accompanied by a brief comment labeling the man as a “Tajik” and claiming that the attackers ultimately also struck him on the back of the head with a hammer.

Instead of condemning xenophobic violence and oppression, Russian authorities are conducting raids and checks against migrants from Central Asia, especially Tajiks. According to Human Rights Watch, based on an analysis of the best available judicial data, the number of court cases against migrants for alleged violations of migration legislation appears to have increased by 70 percent in the week following the attack compared to the average for 2024.

Russian politicians are proposing to tighten migration legislation and policy, as well as to abolish the existing visa-free policy for nationals from Central Asian countries. At a meeting at the Ministry of Internal Affairs on April 2, President Vladimir Putin stated that the attack on “Krokus City Hall” should not be used to justify xenophobia, but at the same time, “illegal migration” to Russia creates “fertile ground for extremist activities.”

In 2023, experts had already reported an increase in attacks by ultra-nationalists and noted a rise in xenophobic anti-migrant rhetoric in parliament, the media, and society at large. The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) also expressed concern in 2023 about the spread of hate crimes and racist statements in Russia, including from state media, politicians, and public figures, as well as the lack of information on accountability for these statements.

The UN Committee stated that the Russian government must “strongly condemn any form of hate speech and distance itself from racist statements expressing hatred made by politicians and public figures… and ensure that such actions are investigated and adequately punished.” Authorities have not implemented the committee’s recommendations, and following the attack on “Krokus City Hall,” the situation has noticeably worsened, reports indicate.

In accordance with international human rights law, governments are obligated to protect the right to life and security of every person in their country without discrimination. Key international players, including the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, must urge Russian authorities to categorically condemn and effectively investigate all xenophobic attacks following the attack on “Krokus City Hall,” as well as ensure zero tolerance for incitement of hatred against migrants by public officials.

“Russian authorities must respond promptly to all reports of xenophobic violence against residents of Central Asia, address the broader issue of rising xenophobia, and ensure a normal working climate for labor migrants from Tajikistan and other countries,” said Lokshina.