U.S. Department of State 2004 Trafficking in Persons Report - Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan (Tier 2)

Uzbekistan is primarily a source, and to a lesser extent, a transit country for people trafficked to the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.), Kuwait, Bahrain, India, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Western Europe for the purposes of sexual exploitation and forced labor. Victims trafficked from neighboring countries transit through Uzbekistan because it is a transportation hub for Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, India, Korea, and U.A.E. Victims are trafficked internally from rural to urban areas for labor exploitation. Uzbek women are trafficked abroad for sexual exploitation, often transiting Tashkent.

The Government of Uzbekistan does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so. Uzbekistan was reassessed as meeting the standard for Tier 2 placement in September 2003 because of the government's significant anti-trafficking efforts, and these efforts continued throughout the remainder of the reporting period. The government has shown greater candor and commitment in discussing its trafficking problem and strategies to combat it. Although more vigorous prosecution efforts were seen in 2003, the government should more fully cooperate with law enforcement officials in destination countries, train border guards and customs officials on identifying and assisting victims, and train police on trafficking investigations.

Prosecution

In 2003, the Government of Uzbekistan drafted comprehensive trafficking legislation and submitted it to the legislature. It also prosecuted 101 individuals in trafficking-related cases using existing criminal statutes, with 80 convictions as of February 2004. The majority of these cases were pursued under the criminal statute that regulates the recruitment of people for exploitation. The government identified 139 trafficking victims in these cases. Penalties range from five to eight years in prison. The police are currently interviewing victims to gather more detailed information about trafficking operations. Officials from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Prosecutor's Office received training on criminal investigations in 2003. The government, in collaboration with NGOs, has begun to train border guards and customs officials, though the majority of the security services are not well trained to identify and assist victims. During the reporting period, one official was dismissed and is under criminal investigation for selling travel documents and preparing fraudulent exit visas for traffickers. Corruption, particularly at regional levels, remains an obstacle to prosecution efforts. The government has cooperative agreements with Russia, Germany, China, India, and works with the Governments of Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine on joint investigations.

Protection

Although the government has no budget for victim assistance, it supported efforts through other means. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2003 assisted some victims in returning to Uzbekistan from foreign countries and continues to develop its assistance and repatriation program. While no formal mechanism for screening and referral exists, in practice the police at Tashkent's airport contact a local NGO offering protection when they identify trafficked women. The government collaborates with NGOs on victim repatriation and is in the process of reviewing IOM's registration documents that, if approved, would enable the organization to significantly enhance the protection of trafficked victims. Government officials did not jail or otherwise punish victims in 2003.

Prevention

The government lacks the funding to do as much as it would like in support of preventative programs, but actively informs the general public about trafficking in persons. Prevention of trafficking has been a key focus of government efforts. Government officials have worked closely with international and local NGOs on programs to place anti-trafficking awareness posters in public buses, passport offices, and consular sections. The government also permitted NGOs to advertise regional TIP hotlines on local television. Government officials have gone on radio and television shows with NGO representatives to talk about the problem and warn of the dangers of trafficking in persons. An increased number of newspaper articles and educational programming regarding trafficked women appeared in state-controlled media. In 2003, the government formed a commission and a working group that developed a national action plan on trafficking in persons.