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

Тенденции и Проблемы в Борьбе с Торговлей Людьми в Центральной Азии: Взгляд Гражданского Общества и Потерпевших

Central Asia is a source, and to a lesser extent a transit and destination point, of victims trafficked for the purposes of both sexual and labor exploitation. Cases of victims forced into prostitution in the Middle East or Asia or forced to work in construction or various industries in Russia or Ukraine are underreported and generally have not received the same international attention as has domestic trafficking for the cotton harvest. While all five countries have – to varying degrees – taken important steps to introduce new laws and policies against trafficking in human beings, there are still significant shortcomings, including in 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 and reluctance to ask for assistance. Victims are more likely to turn to non-governmental organizations rather than police. This event will discuss the current human trafficking trends in Central Asia and focus on the challenges experienced by civil society in providing assistance and promoting the application of a human rights based, victim-centered and trauma-informed approach in victim identification and in the provision of protection and assistance to victims in their respective country. 

*English and Russian interpretation will be provided. Перевод на английский и русский язык будет обеспечен.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW/ПРОГРАММА

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

Speakers
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 OSCE/ODIHR InternationalSurvivors of Trafficking Advisory Council (Uzbekistan)
Moderator: Sebastien Peyrouse, Central Asia Program, GWU

Вступительное слово Татьяны Котляренко, Советника ОБСЕ/БДИПЧ по вопросам борьбы с торговлей людьми

Спикеры
Хадиджа Абышева, Директор ОО «Сана Сезim» (Казахстан)
Нодира Каримова, Директор центра «Istiqbolli Avlod»(Узбекистан)
Саноат Ахтамовна Солиева, Директор ОО «Фемида»(Таджикистан)
Мирлан Кыдырмышев, Координатор общественного фонда«Ковчег» (Кыргызстан)
Вера Грачева, Президент компании «Альтернатива»(Российская Федерация)
Марина Горбунова, член Международного Консультативного Совета ОБСЕ / БДИПЧ для лиц, пострадавших от торговли людьми (Узбекистан)
Модератор: Себастьян Пейруз, Программа по Центральной Азии, Университет Джорджа Вашингтона