by Nina Achmatova

According to Russian media , the Kremlin is studying solutions to escalation of tension in society once again highlighted by episodes on the National Unity Day on November 4. A department with such functions had been institution for the first time in 1917 , under the leadership of Stalin.

Moscow (AsiaNews) - In the aftermath of hundreds of arrests across Russia after the numerous nationalist demonstrations that take place every November 4 ( National Unity Day ) , rumors about the possible establishment of a " Ministry of Relations inter-ethnic " have begun to circulate, to tackle the growing tension in the country .

The traditional 'Russian March' , organized by the far-right groups in different cities of the Federation - and until last year also attended by opposition leader Alexei Navalny - in Moscow in particular, attracted police attention following an anti -immigrant march in October ended in violent clashes in the suburb of Biryulyovo . Federation wide there were about 200 arrests for various infringements.

The intolerance towards immigrants, mostly from Central Asia , often leads to extreme actions. For example, the double murder of an Uzbek citizen and a Kyrgyz found stabbed dead, November 5 in St. Petersburg may have been motivated by xenophobia. The police will not confirm this, but the anti-immigrant sentiment is widespread in the Russian capital of culture and on the Day of National Unity extremist groups raided city markets, where many migrants work.

The relationships between the many ethnic groups living in the immense Russian space have gained a prominent place on the political agenda over the years, with the authorities committed to exploring more stringent measures to regulate migration flows and to meet the demands of the electorate for more controls. According to the newspaper Kommersant , citing Kremlin and government sources, the department of the Ministry for Regional Development in charge of inter-ethnic and inter-confessional relations will soon take a leading role within the activities of the department . "In fact the Ministry of Ethnic and Migration Policies is making a come back " , explained the sources . The Moscow Times writes merely points out that so far there have been no orders or instructions from the Cabinet that provide for a transformation in this regard. Kommersant also reports the idea to appoint a lieutenant governor in each region who deals specifically with the issue.

The Council for Inter- Ethnic Relations was established for the first time in 1917 , with the escalation of tensions between the various ethnic groups , during the collapse of the tsarist Russia . Its first and only leader was Josef Stalin , who held the post of People's Commissar of Ethnic Affairs until 1923. When problems exploded once again with the collapse of the USSR , in 1989 , an ad hoc state committee was created, then transformed into ministry in 1994 and finally closed in 2001. From 2001 to 2004, the issue was dealt with by Vladimir Zorin , as a minister without a portfolio.

 

 

• russia
• xenophobia
• ministry
• inter
• ethnic
• relations
• tension