Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged Russian authorities to investigate reports of mistreatment of Uzbek labor migrants.

On May 2, Uzbekistan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Bobour Usmanov held a meeting with Russian Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Oleg Malginov.  The primary topic of discussion was growing concern over violations of the rights of Uzbek labor migrants in Russia, according to Gazeta.uz.

The Uzbek Foreign Ministry reportedly expressed deep concern over the increasing number of reported incidents of abuse against its citizens working in Russia.  Usmanov emphasized that such actions contradict the laws and norms of the host country.

The Uzbek side called on Russian authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the reported incidents and to convey Tashkent's concerns to the relevant Russian institutions.

The two sides also discussed key areas of bilateral cooperation and agreed on a schedule for upcoming high-level meetings.  Following the talks, both parties committed to maintaining close cooperation to ensure the rights and freedoms of citizens from both Uzbekistan and Russia in each other's countries.

Uzbekistan steps up protection of migrants

On April 30, delegations from the Prosecutor-General’s Offices of Uzbekistan and Russia met in Moscow.  During the negotiations, both sides reportedly agreed to intensify oversight of the rights of Uzbek citizens working in Russia and Russian citizens residing in Uzbekistan.

The statement comes amid growing concern over Russia’s anti-migrant raids.

In April, Russian law enforcement conducted a mass raid at the “Bodrost” bathhouse complex in northern Moscow, detaining around 60 foreign nationals, including Kyrgyz citizens.  Migration rule violations were recorded for 25 of them.

Footage of the arrests caused public outrage, showing detainees being forced to crawl into a room where others were already lying face down on the floor.

Kyrgyz Ombudsperson Jamiliya Jamanbayeva questioned the proportionality and justification of the force used by Russian officers.

Following the incident, a note of protest was handed to Russian Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan, Sergey Vakunov.

Since the beginning of 2025, anti-migrant raids in Russia have increased.  In addition to markets and public spaces, law enforcement officers have begun inspecting sports clubs.

Undocumented migrants are being deported, and citizens with Russian passports are being issued military draft summonses.

A new deportation policy took effect in Russia on February 5, allowing the Interior Ministry to expel migrants without a court order—a power previously held only by courts and the Border Guard  Service.

Meanwhile, the Russian president has extended the deadline for foreign nationals and stateless persons to legalize their stay in the country until September 10, 2025.

By that date, migrants must resolve their legal status or leave Russia. The original deadline had been set for April 30.