Do not go to Russia – 4: OMON chained Uzbeks again

Russia’s law-enforcement structures, which routinely cross legal boundaries, enjoy a kind of carte blanche in migration policy, and seem determined to crush migrants, once again targeting Uzbeks. On September 22 of this year, in Krasnoyarsk Krai’s Yemelyanovsky district, security forces stormed into the Korona banquet hall during a concert. Units of the regional Interior Ministry, the Federal Security Service (FSB), and the National Guard raided the entertainment venue where Uzbek singer Jaloliddin Ahmadaliyev was performing, subjecting 620 guests, including 210 foreigners, to searches. According to the official explanation, the raid aimed to identify foreign nationals in Russia illegally and individuals potentially linked to drug trafficking. But what reasonable mind could accept such a justification? A drug raid at a concert hall? What sense does that make? Moreover, the searches found nothing prohibited. Even so, 26 foreign citizens were taken to the police station, and eight of them were found to be in Russia illegally.

Following the raid, police officers drew up a total of 19 administrative reports against foreign nationals and stateless persons for violations related to entering or staying in Russia, as well as for breaches of immigration rules. In addition, three criminal cases were opened under Article 322.3 of the Russian Criminal Code (illegal registration of a foreign national or stateless person). Investigative procedures in these cases are reportedly ongoing. Uzbekistan’s Migration Agency, operating under the Cabinet of Ministers, reacted swiftly to the incident. To protect the rights and interests of its citizens, the agency dispatched a licensed lawyer to the scene. It was also announced that the case is being reviewed within the framework of the Russian Federation’s current legislation.

Russia asked to deliver a legal review of the situation

The Consulate of Uzbekistan in Novosibirsk also commented on the raid conducted to detect violations of Russia’s migration laws and to combat the illegal circulation of narcotics, releasing official information on the matter. According to the statement, the inspection revealed that eight Uzbek citizens violated Russian residency rules. Four of them were fined and deported, while the remaining four were placed in a temporary detention center for foreign nationals in Krasnoyarsk Krai.

The Consulate emphasized that it is taking urgent measures to provide these citizens with necessary legal assistance. It noted that the concert in which the Uzbek citizens participated had not been coordinated with the relevant authorities of Krasnoyarsk Krai, which was cited as one of the factors leading to the inspection. By contrast, a similar concert previously held in Novosibirsk had been fully coordinated with city officials, filled the hall, and was warmly received by the audience.

Importantly, the Krasnoyarsk concert had been organized privately by Russian citizens and held in a venue not specially equipped for such events. Nevertheless, the Consulate stressed that raids conducted by law enforcement agencies in Krasnoyarsk must have a legal basis and should not interfere with cultural and recreational activities. To this end, the Consulate has submitted all necessary documents to the law-enforcement agencies of Krasnoyarsk Krai to ensure a legal review of the actions taken by the Russian security forces.

Yes, it is an extremely harsh and regrettable situation. Yet the worst part is that such incidents continue systematically — first in public bathhouses, then in shared dormitories, and now in a quiet banquet hall. What’s next? Frankly speaking, the only place OMON has not stormed is the private rooms of migrant couples. This is not shameful for the migrants themselves — it is a disgrace for the Russian legal system and its security apparatus. With such methods, no authority or credibility can be earned. Shame.

Is this supposed to be an alliance?

Uzbekistan and Russia maintain high-level diplomatic relations. For over 20 years, Moscow and Tashkent have been considered allies. However, when looking at the cruel treatment of Uzbeks in Russia from the outside, no one would really consider the two countries as true allies. Recently, questions have arisen as to whether these so-called high-level ties exist only on paper. This lack of trust is fueled by lawlessness in Russia and the conduct of agencies that are supposed to ensure and monitor human rights. So far this year, Uzbekistan has sent three notes to Russia. You know well what a note is, it is not a congratulatory message. It is a formal expression of protest or demand concerning a very serious and problematic issue. In the Uzbek context, sending a note to Russia happens only when official Tashkent or the country’s diplomatic missions in Russia are compelled to act because the rights of Uzbek citizens have been flagrantly violated.

At this point, a question arises. In what era has a country ever sent three diplomatic notes within nine months to a nation it supposedly considers an ally? Is this what you call an alliance? Can Russia even be regarded as a true ally or close friend? When will its law-enforcement agencies start functioning like human beings? The actions currently being carried out by these agencies resemble a softer, modernized version of the terror that occurred from the Grozny period to Khrushchev’s era in the Soviet Union. In the 21st century, making migrants crawl, lining them up like living chains with their hands on each other’s shoulders, is this not inhumane? The degrading and inhumane treatment of migrants, trampling their dignity and human rights, is all the more appalling when one considers that such practices are driven by imperialist-minded politicians and ministers in the Kremlin and extended into the political sphere.

Recently, over 100 world leaders visited the United States during the 80th session of the UN General Assembly. Among them, President Donald Trump singled out Uzbekistan’s leader, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, in high-profile posts and even found time to meet with him. By contrast, the Foreign Minister of the northern country, often loudly proclaimed as Uzbekistan’s “ally”, did not even consider it appropriate to meet or embrace his Uzbek counterpart when the opportunity arose.