Uzbekistan Appeals to Russia for Fair Treatment of Its Citizens Amid Migrant Enforcement Measures

On Wednesday, Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged Russia to treat its citizens «with respect» amid tightening migration laws and widespread inspections aimed at foreign workers in Moscow.

In the past year, Russia has implemented stricter migration regulations, including new legislation designed to more easily identify and deport migrants. These developments have led to protests from several Central Asian nations, including Uzbekistan.

According to government statistics, approximately 4 million migrants from the five former Soviet Central Asian republics—Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan—currently reside in Russia. Many of them are employed in low-paying jobs and send remittances home, which are essential to their local economies.

The Uzbek Foreign Ministry reported receiving information about «unauthorized inspections and instances of disrespectful and rude treatment» of its nationals in Russia.

It called on Moscow «to treat Uzbek citizens with dignity and to prevent actions that compromise their honor,» as stated in a release from state media. Additionally, Tashkent has submitted an official protest note to Russia seeking clarification on these reports.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry indicated that it is «reviewing» the note and referred to Uzbekistan as a «strategic partner,» according to the state-run news agency TASS.

In recent months, both Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have voiced similar concerns, criticizing the mass detainment of their citizens in Russia.

This crackdown follows the tragic terrorist attack in 2024 at Crocus City Hall, which Russian officials attributed to assailants from Central Asia. Since that incident, Moscow has intensified efforts to regulate and repatriate foreign nationals.

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has added complexity for Central Asian migrants, with accusations against Russian authorities for pressuring some to join the military. Last year, Russia’s Investigative Committee reported that 10,000 foreign nationals with Russian citizenship were dispatched to the front lines.

Ukraine’s military estimates that approximately 3,000 Central Asians are fighting for Russia, with local media reports indicating that several dozen have been killed or imprisoned upon their return home.

Despite a decrease in migration, remittances continue to play a crucial role in Central Asian economies. The World Bank reports that they constitute 45% of GDP in Tajikistan, 24% in Kyrgyzstan, and 14% in Uzbekistan.