CABAR.asia
How Russia Attempts To Send Migrants from Central Asia to War
The partial mobilisation announced in Russia has covered not only the Russians. Migrants from Central Asia are being deceived into doing military service, while officials voice suggestions of depriving of Russian citizenship of those who have received it in the last 10 years and refuses to do military service.
As part of the partial mobilisation, the authorities of Russia have planned to cover 300 thousand people. According to Russian media, 67 regions have failed to fulfil the plan by October 7. The mobilisation is carried out in a rush and both persons with disabilities and foreigners have received summons. It all happens amid the massive outflow of Russians from the country.
On September 28, a video of a conversation between a traffic police officer and migrants was posted on YouTube, where the officer tried to send them to the military enlistment office.
On September 28, a video of a conversation between a traffic police officer and migrants was posted on YouTube, where the officer tried to send them to the military enlistment office.
On October 2, it became known that in Saint Petersburg they attempted to serve the summons to a citizen of Kazakhstan, who was enrolled to the master's programme in Russia in 2013, and then remained in Russia and received the residence permit.
Stations receiving foreign citizens for contract military service were opened in Moscow right after the partial mobilisation was announced. Russian citizenship under simplified procedure is promised to migrants for one-year military contract.
On September 22, chair of the National Anticorruption Committee of Russia Kirill Kabanov said that his committee is preparing the proposal on deprivation of Russian citizenship of natives of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, who have received it in the last 10 years, but refused to do military service.
Migrants and former citizens of Central Asian states have different opinions about service in the Russian army.
41-year-old native of Tajikistan Dzhamal Iskhakov has lived in Saint Petersburg for more than 10 years. He is a taxi driver and 3 years ago he received the Russian citizenship. On September 29, he came to the Migration Office (UVM) to register his father. But instead he received the summons.
"I have a poor eyesight, minus 19-20. How can I do service with such eyesight? A UVM officer seized my passport and told me to sign the summons. I refused to sign because I know my rights."
"I have a poor eyesight, minus 19-20. How can I do service with such eyesight? A UVM officer seized my passport and told me to sign the summons. I refused to sign because I know my rights."
Kyrgyzstani Mirlan Tursunbaev came to Moscow several years ago. Now he works in the warehouse in night shift, but said he does not want to live in Russia anymore.
"When I heard it, I decided to leave. I have applied for residence permit, but my life is more valuable. My brothers and mother wait for me in the village. I am planning to leave soon. My relative received the citizenship of Russia and immediately received the summons. He has never held a weapon in his arms, and he has a fear of heights. I cannot even imagine how he will serve."
"When I heard it, I decided to leave. I have applied for residence permit, but my life is more valuable. My brothers and mother wait for me in the village. I am planning to leave soon. My relative received the citizenship of Russia and immediately received the summons. He has never held a weapon in his arms, and he has a fear of heights. I cannot even imagine how he will serve."
35-year-old Ozod is a native of Uzbekistan. In Moscow, he works at the construction site and has recently received citizenship.
"If there's need, I am ready to be in the war. Every adequate person must understand that if don't fight, we'll at risk. So, I have no fear and I am willing to go to the front. This is my duty."
"If there's need, I am ready to be in the war. Every adequate person must understand that if don't fight, we'll at risk. So, I have no fear and I am willing to go to the front. This is my duty."
According to military expert Vladimir Yevseyev, some chief enlistment officers try to perform the plan and sometimes commit infractions.
"There are persons with serious health issues, but they are still summoned. We should not allow this. People who want to avoid [the service] must understand that they will be in difficult situation. The criminal code of Russia was amended regarding mobilisation. If they are prosecuted, they won't be able to get back to Russia," he said.
However, mobilisation in Russia takes place not only in military enlistment offices. Human rights activist Valentina Chupik, in the interview to Kloop.kg, said that migrants are deceived into military service when they apply for a patent or during execution of documents.
"There are persons with serious health issues, but they are still summoned. We should not allow this. People who want to avoid [the service] must understand that they will be in difficult situation. The criminal code of Russia was amended regarding mobilisation. If they are prosecuted, they won't be able to get back to Russia," he said.
However, mobilisation in Russia takes place not only in military enlistment offices. Human rights activist Valentina Chupik, in the interview to Kloop.kg, said that migrants are deceived into military service when they apply for a patent or during execution of documents.
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When people undergo health checks, fingerprinting, and apply for patents in [a Moscow migration centre] "Sakharovo", they are given a pack of papers to be signed, "Sign here and here quickly." And they sign a contract for voluntary military service among this pack of papers.
Another way of "recruitment", according to human rights defender, is to threat migrants and force them to sign documents without reading. In some cases, threats are uttered and physical violence is threatened.
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When people are threatened with criminal cases, for example, planting of narcotics, if they don't sign. And, usually, in this case a person knows he is being recruited to the army.
Authorities of all Central Asian states remind their citizens that every regional country has a Criminal Code that provides for liability for mercenary activities or participation in armed conflicts in other states in order to receive material remuneration.
Human rights defenders and activists call on migrants to know their rights, not to trust swindlers, and read documents to be signed carefully.
Human rights defenders and activists call on migrants to know their rights, not to trust swindlers, and read documents to be signed carefully.
cabar.asia
2022
2022