Russia’s Human Rights Commissioner Visits Tajik Prison, Meets with Russian Inmates

Russia’s Human Rights Commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova has visited a correctional facility in Tajikistan, where she met with Russian citizens serving prison sentences and assessed their living conditions.

During her visit to Correctional Colony YAS 3/1 under Tajikistan’s Ministry of Justice, Moskalkova spoke with several inmates, who expressed gratitude for respectful treatment by prison staff but also requested assistance in being transferred to correctional facilities in Russia, citing difficulties in maintaining contact with their families, The Caspian Post reports via Tajik media.

Moskalkova toured the colony’s infrastructure - including sleeping quarters, medical units, workshops, and stores - to personally inspect conditions.

It remains unclear whether Moskalkova met with her Tajik counterpart Umed Bobozoda during the trip. Bobozoda has repeatedly raised concerns about the treatment of Tajik migrants in Russia, sending over ten letters to Moskalkova, with the most recent response arriving in October 2024, in which she pledged to protect the rights of Tajik nationals.

Tajik authorities’ concerns followed a wave of viral videos alleging mistreatment of migrants during police checks and detentions in Russia. Bobozoda has urged Moscow to take concrete measures to prevent such incidents and ensure fair treatment of Tajik citizens abroad.