Trends and Challenges in Addressing Human Trafficking in Central Asia: Civil Society and Survivor Perspectives

The event will discuss the current human trafficking trends in Central Asia and focus on the challenges experienced by civil society in providing assistance to victims and survivors of trafficking. It will further highlight the need to take a human rights based, victim-centered and trauma-informed approach in:

• identifying victims 
• providing protection and assistance to victims in their respective countries 

Why it is important

Central Asia is a source, and to a lesser extent, a transit and destination point of victims trafficked for the purpose of sexual and labour exploitation. Cases of victims forced into prostitution in the Middle East or Asia, or forced to work in construction and various industries in Russia or Ukraine are underreported. They have also not received the same international attention as domestic trafficking for the cotton harvest.

While all Central Asian countries have - to varying degrees - taken important steps to introduce new laws and policies against trafficking in human beings, there are still significant shortcomings. These include the identification of victims, investigation techniques, prosecution of traffickers and assistance to victims. 

Effectively countering human trafficking is further challenged by the distrust of victims towards law enforcement bodies and their reluctance to ask for assistance. Indeed, victims are more likely to turn to non-governmental organizations rather than police. 

Speakers

Opening remarks by Tatiana Kotlyarenko, OSCE/ODIHR Adviser on Anti-Trafficking Issues. 

The panel of experts:

• Khadija Abysheva, Director of Sana Sezim (Kazakhstan)
• Nodira Karimova, Director of Istiqbolli Avlod (Uzbekistan)
• Sanoat Akhtamovna Solieva, Director of Femida (Tajikistan)
• Mirlan Kydyrmyshev, Coordinator of Kovcheg (Kyrgyzstan) 
• Vera Gracheva, President of Alternative (Russian Federation)
• Marina Gorbunova, Member of the OSCE/ODIHR International Survivors of Trafficking Advisory Council (Uzbekistan) 

The event will be moderated by Sebastien Peyrouse, Central Asia Program, George Washington University (GWU). 

English and Russian interpretation will be provided.

Registration

Those interested can register here: 

https://odihr-pl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3OumRWxERVKVpQl6s7IeZw​