In sad news for both Russia and Tajikistan, RFE/RL’s Tajik Service reports that at least 300 labor migrants from Tajikistan’s Sughd Province have died in Russia since January 1, 2008. More than half were killed by nationalist skinheads while the rest, about 140, died in accidents or from natural causes. Many deaths are not investigated or their perpetrators get lenient sentences. The number of Central Asian migrants killed in Russia has risen every year. This is a very sad situation that reflects poorly on the Russian government’s control over their citizens and their priorities.
