Xenophobic Tensions Rise for Central Asian Migrants in Russia Following Moscow Terror Incident
Following a recent terror incident at Moscow's Crocus City concert hall, Russian authorities swiftly linked the perpetrators to Tajikistan, a Central Asian nation, sparking xenophobic reactions towards Central Asian migrants in Russia.
The four men involved in the recent terror attack at Moscow's Crocus City concert hall were quickly identified by Russian authorities as being from Tajikistan, a former Soviet republic in Central Asia.
Following the attack, videos started circulating on Russian social media showing the police detaining and mistreating the suspects. One video even showed a suspect having part of his ear cut off and forced into his mouth. These men were in Russia as migrant workers with either temporary or expired visas, according to the authorities.
Russians are understandably shocked and saddened by the attack. However, in the days following the incident, this emotional response, fueled by disturbing videos, seems to have sparked a wave of xenophobia towards Central Asian migrant workers in general.
On the social media platform X, CNN came across posts where individuals were seen seeking taxis but requesting for their rides to be canceled if the driver happened to be Tajik. One photo of a conversation even displayed a message that read, "If you are Tajik, please cancel my ride."
A barbershop in the city of Ivanovo has faced a torrent of abuse, with one of the alleged attackers being an employee there. The shop owner shared with Russian journalists that she has been receiving constant death threats on her phone. She expressed her fear, especially since she is pregnant, saying, "I'm afraid to go outside."
Due to the situation, Russian President Vladimir Putin is now facing a delicate issue concerning migrant workers. These workers play essential roles in the Russian workforce, especially during times of war.
The suspects in the shooting attack at the Crocus City Hall concert venue, from left: Saidakrami Murodali Rachabalizoda, Shamsidin Fariduni, Dalerdzhon Mirzoyev, and Muhammadsobir Fayzov,
Here are the suspects involved in the shooting attack at the Crocus City Hall concert venue: Saidakrami Murodali Rachabalizoda, Shamsidin Fariduni, Dalerdzhon Mirzoyev, and Muhammadsobir Fayzov.
Yulia Morozova/Reuters
Perhaps wary of a split in Russian society, Putin on Wednesday called for Russia to remain united.
"We must always remember that our country is made up of people from different nationalities and religions. It is important to treat everyone with respect, including our brothers and sisters of different faiths such as Muslims, Jews, and others," he emphasized.
"It's going to be a challenging period ahead of us," he added.
Migrants from the Central Asian states of Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan have long been a crucial source of affordable labor in Russia.
Typically, they have taken on roles that many Russians consider to be lower-tier, such as taxi drivers, truck drivers, or supermarket employees. The financial support they send home in the form of remittances plays a significant role in boosting the economies of their native countries.
Many people are now feeling threatened. Valentina Chupik, a lawyer and activist for migrants, mentioned to CNN that there has been a significant increase in requests for legal help from migrants in Russia. Before the attack, there were about 150 calls per day, but now the total has surpassed 6,000 as of Saturday. These numbers are constantly changing with each passing minute.
Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia March 20, 2024.
Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia March 20, 2024.
Evgenia Novozhenina/Reuters
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Chupik, originally from Uzbekistan and now residing in Illinois, leads an NGO called Tong Jahoni that focuses on migrant welfare. Her organization provides free legal assistance to migrants seeking help in Russia. According to her interview with CNN, she believes that the recent crackdown on migrants by the police in Moscow is a guise to cover up a darker agenda in society.
She expressed her concern that the police are using the pretext of combating ethnic crime and terrorism to target and exploit migrants. Chupik shared that she has received numerous complaints from migrants who have been stopped by the police and had their belongings stolen.
Human Rights Watch reported in their annual world report that Russian police have been racially profiling non-Slav migrants and ethnic minorities. They have been subjected to unjustified ID checks and detentions, often lasting for long periods in inhumane conditions. Some individuals have even experienced physical assaults.
According to Temur Umerov, an expert on Central Asia at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center in Berlin, the conflict in Ukraine has led to a surge in xenophobia within Russian society. This is especially prevalent among individuals who identify with Nazi ideologies or neo-Nazis.
"It allowed them to express their thoughts without fear of being silenced or judged by other members of society while they are advocating for Russia, whether it's through online platforms or on the actual battlefield in Ukraine," he explained.
Ambulances and vehicles of Russian emergency services parked at the burning Crocus City Hall concert venue.
Ambulances and vehicles of Russian emergency services parked at the burning Crocus City Hall concert venue.
Yulia Morozova/Reuters
A recent analysis by CNN looked into a number of pro-war Russian Telegram channels and their responses following the attacks last Friday. It was evident that xenophobia was on the rise.
One particular channel known as the GreyZone, boasting half a million followers, saw a user urging others to take action. The comment read: "Let's boycott their services: avoid dining in their cafes, getting haircuts from them, taking their taxis, or purchasing anything from them. Spread the message."
In a different channel, a user with 200,000 followers expressed a lack of sympathy for migrants in Russia. The user stated that migrants should not be seen as victims but as perpetrators of harm to Russian people. They suggested that migrants should be sent back to their home country, Tajikistan, without any compassion.
Amidst this rising xenophobia, the Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry released a travel advisory for its citizens on Monday. They advised Kyrgyz citizens to avoid traveling to Russia until the additional security measures and strict border control measures are lifted.
Umerov, speaking from Tashkent, Uzbekistan, mentioned that being a migrant in Russia can be a challenging experience.
He pointed out that there are approximately 7 million migrants in Russia, with the majority, around 80%, coming from Central Asia.
“Migrants work for much lower salaries than ordinary Russians, and are more willing to work in much more difficult and harsh conditions,” he said.
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Russia offers competitive salaries to migrants, which not only help fill important positions in the Russian labor market but also contribute to the economic growth of migrants' home countries through remittances sent back to their families.
In September 2023, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development predicted that economic growth in Central Asia would reach 5.9% in 2024, with remittances playing a significant role. According to the forecast, Tajikistan was expected to experience the highest GDP growth in the region, reaching 7.5% in both 2023 and 2024, partly due to the influx of remittances from Russia.
Umerov pointed out that since Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine two years ago, the economy's dependence on migrant workers has grown.
"Migrants play a vital role in various sectors of the Russian economy. According to Umerov, without the labor force of migrants, certain sectors would struggle to maintain stability. Russia greatly depends on migrant workers, as their contribution is crucial for the economy to function effectively."
A study conducted by the Institute of Economics at the Russian Academy of Sciences and reported by the Izvestia newspaper in December, highlighted a shortage of approximately 4.8 million workers in Russia by 2023. This shortage is particularly affecting key sectors such as construction, drivers, and retail.
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The invasion of Ukraine has led to a major shortage of workers in Russia. Many Russian men have been sent to Ukraine to fight, with a high number already losing their lives. It is estimated that hundreds of thousands have left the country in September 2022, following Putin's call for partial mobilization.
After the attack on Crocus City Hall, Putin and his advisers have been trying to blame Ukraine for the attacks without providing any solid evidence. However, Ukraine and Western nations have swiftly rejected this accusation.
Putin has not accused Emomali Rahmon, the president of Tajikistan, even though evidence indicates that the attackers were influenced by the ISIS-K jihadist group, which recruits in Tajikistan.
The Kremlin announced that Putin and Rahmon have discussed collaborating on counterterrorism efforts, with Russian and Tajik special services working closely together to combat terrorism.
Umerov points out that Putin is walking a fine line. With limited allies in the world due to his conflict with the West over Ukraine, Putin cannot afford to lose friends by creating new enemies.
According to Umerov, Putin is unable to acknowledge any issues in the relationship between Russia and Tajikistan, especially at this moment. Tajikistan is one of Putin's strongest allies, and at a time when Russia is facing isolation, it cannot afford to be selective about its partnerships.
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The recent terror attack
