Protecting the Rights of Russians Abroad: Current Issues

KEY CONCLUSIONS

The recent surge in Russophobia in Western countries has created a need to help repatriate Russians

“We have seen a surge of Russophobia, particularly in so-called unfriendly countries. <...> This is due to a number of factors, and manifests itself in a number of different situations. People are seeing their bank accounts closed, for example, or denied work or education,” Evgeny Primakov, Head, Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States, Compatriots Living Abroad, and International Humanitarian Cooperation (Rossotrudnichestvo).

“Discrimination against Russian citizens (which is now referred to as Russophobia, for all the complexities of defining the term) is down to a range of problems which have accumulated over the years. <...> This has been a years-long process, and the problems have not arisen out of the blue, as evidenced by the statements and actions of our Western colleagues and ‘partners’. A particularly telling example is the statement of Polish Prime Minister Morawiecki [Mateusz Morawiecki, Prime Minister of Poland since 2017 – ed.] who said that Russophobia is now a trend in Europe. That is most symptomatic, and says a great deal in general,” Grigory Lukiyantsev, Director of the Department of Multilateral Cooperation on Human Rights, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation; Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation for Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law.

“Since last autumn, we have begun to notice many more questions coming to us regarding Russia’s resettlement programme. There are questions about how people can return to their homeland, and what support is available to compatriots in the Russian Federation,” Anastasia Milyutina, First Deputy Executive Director – Chief of Staff, Association of Lawyers of Russia.

“A lot of people have left Russia, but we... are now seeing many people returning. People who have lived abroad for many years are now expressing a desire to return to Russia. And what’s most interesting of all is that there are foreigners who want to relocate to the Russian Federation. There are farmers who are moving to the [Russian – ed.] regions... because not everyone approves of what is happening in European countries,” Stanislav Alexandrov, Deputy Chairman of the Board, Association of Lawyers of Russia; State Secretary – Vice-President, Synergy Corporation.

“Construction of an American village in the Serpukhov district of Moscow Region is set to begin in 2024. There are plans for about 200 American families to settle there. These will mainly be American and Canadian Orthodox Christians who, for ideological reasons, want to move to Russia,” Timur Beslangurov, Partner, VISTA Immigration.

PROBLEMS

Insufficient numbers of Russian international legal specialists and a need to improve Russia’s migration legislation

“We don’t have enough Russian international legal specialists who are adept at private law, international private law, and who are deeply versed and have practical experience [of working in the legal sector abroad – ed.],” Stanislav Alexandrov, Deputy Chairman of the Board, Association of Lawyers of Russia; State Secretary – Vice-President, Synergy Corporation.

“Russian migration legislation is lacking, and this is creating certain barriers. My personal opinion is that Russia should reform its migration legislation in order to attract highly qualified specialists, farmers, and investors. Our migration legislation is completely ill-equipped for this as things stand,” Timur Beslangurov, Partner, VISTA Immigration.

“Today, as pressure on Russian businesses and [businesses with links to Russia – ed.] is increasing, the rights of compatriots, repatriation, or protecting citizens’ rights abroad is becoming an issue of economic importance. It is for this reason that I believe it [appropriate – ed.] for the legal community to send proposals to federal government bodies which have the power to initiate legislation,” Evgeny Primakov, Head, Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States, Compatriots Living Abroad, and International Humanitarian Cooperation (Rossotrudnichestvo).

SOLUTIONS

Developing systemic measures to aid compatriots abroad, including the creation of a civil association of compatriot lawyers

“We are drafting reports covering several thematic areas. These include the human rights situation in different countries, and challenges regarding the glorification of Naziism and racial discrimination in certain countries. We are also drafting special, thematic reports on protecting the rights of Russian citizens and compatriots abroad. These reports are published on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and sent out to international human rights institutions, bodies, and organizations. They are also sent out to our diplomatic colleagues in other countries. In addition, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintains and regularly updates lists of lawyers and law firms that are ready to provide legal assistance to Russian citizens abroad,” Grigory Lukiyantsev, Director of the Department of Multilateral Cooperation on Human Rights, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation; Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation for Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law.

“We have already started to implement a project with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This will serve to complement the register of recommended lawyers for compatriots abroad. It will be a civil association of compatriot lawyers. These people do not have to be Russian citizens per se, just compatriots. They may live in different countries, study, and receive higher legal education in other countries. These people will be united by the fact that they will develop consulting solutions for our compatriots in different countries. They will also help us develop and review Russian legislation to make it easier for compatriots to return to their homeland... and write petitions and requests to international legal bodies and governmental agencies. <...> The creation of a new commission for compatriots is also in the pipeline. This will operate under the Association of Russian Lawyers. In addition, there are plans to create an association of compatriot lawyers under the Association of Russian Lawyers,” Anastasia Milyutina, First Deputy Executive Director – Chief of Staff, Association of Lawyers of Russia.

“We have organized a volunteer centre. These people process applications, have developed a portal, and have set up a call centre at Synergy which promptly takes calls 24 hours a day. <...> Practitioners provide free primary legal consultations. These are for people who need to know which agency to contact, what first steps need to be taken, and what should be avoided so as to not aggravate their situation. We can do this quickly and to a high standard as part of a broader social initiative. In terms of court representation... we are working together with our colleagues and the Fund for Supporting the Rights of Compatriots Abroad. If a person needs a lawyer to represent them in court, then we work together with the fund to raise the money required to make this happen,” Stanislav Alexandrov, Deputy Chairman of the Board, Association of Lawyers of Russia; State Secretary – Vice-President, Synergy Corporation.

For more information, visit the Roscongress Foundation’s Information and Analytical System at roscongress.org/en

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