The head of Russia’s Republic of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, has voiced his support for migrants, warning that harsh approaches to tackling migration-related issues in the country could have negative effects.
Kadyrov addressed the issue in a Telegram post on Monday, stating that some of the measures taken in the area of migration have been “disappointing.” He did not provide any specific examples.
“It feels like someone is deliberately pitting Russia against its neighboring fraternal regions,” Kadyrov wrote, presumably referring to the post-Soviet Central Asian nations, which have long been the main source of migrants coming to the country.
Migration-related issues cannot be solved through “mass expulsions” only, Kadyrov argued, suggesting that new migrants coming to Russia from elsewhere could end up not being any better than the deported ones.
“We will drive away today’s migrants through persecution and purges, but tomorrow others will arrive from other countries, and who will guarantee that they will be better?” he wrote.
The Chechen leader urged against “inciting hatred” against migrants, warning it would only aggravate the situation. Migrants themselves should not be blamed for the migration-related issues. Rather, those who exhibited “carelessness” in policies and exerted “practically no control” over the situation are responsible, he added, without naming any individuals or organizations. Instead of a “medieval” approach, a “targeted” one should be used, Kadyrov said without elaborating.
Kadyrov’s warning comes amid an ongoing effort by legislators to tighten immigration laws. Russian MPs have been considering over two dozen bills aimed at regulating migration, the legal status of foreign citizens in the country, and other issues, State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin said earlier this year.
In the meantime, Russia’s Interior Ministry has been creating a comprehensive database of illegal migrants, First Deputy Minister Alexander Gorovoy revealed in mid-September. Those who end up on the register will be denied banking services, property registration and other privileges.