The head of the Ministry of Labor justified Russian security forces, blaming the migrants themselves for the offenses

The Ministry of Labor and Migration of Tajikistan justifies the unlawful actions of Russian authorities towards Tajik migrants.

On February 13, the Minister of Labor, Migration, and Employment of the Population of Tajikistan Gulnora Khassanzoada stated at a press conference that in 2023, the number of migrants leaving for work abroad has decreased. The figures provided by the minister do not match the statistics from Russian authorities.

Tajik authorities claim that in 2023, 652,000 people left the country, mainly to Russia, Kazakhstan, and other countries, which is 16% less than in 2022. However, Russian authorities assert that over 1 million Tajik labor migrants enter the territory of the Russian Federation annually.

In response to journalists’ questions about the reasons for the discrepancies in statistical data, Khassanzoada replied that only legal migrants with a basis for employment abroad are taken into account. Additionally, the Minister faced an uncomfortable question about the state’s silence on violations of migrants’ rights in Russia. She placed the blame on the migrants themselves, advising them to comply with the laws of the host country.

These statements by the minister contradict the provision of the Constitution of Tajikistan, which states the protection of the country’s citizens. Since 2023, the number of complaints about police raids and checks from migrants in Russia has increased. The internet is full of evidence of unlawful actions by law enforcement agencies against Tajik migrants, including instances of violence and mistreatment. However, Tajik authorities do not defend their citizens from the arbitrariness of Russian security forces.