Victim identification, assistance and protection in focus during visit of OSCE Special Representative for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings to Uzbekistan

TASHKENT, 29 March 2018 – The OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, Madina Jarbussynova, today concluded a four-day high-level visit to Uzbekistan. The aim of the trip was to discuss the country’s progress in implementing OSCE anti-trafficking commitments since the OSCE Special Representative’s previous visit in November 2013.

With the support of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, the Special Representative held in-depth discussions with high-level officials from both central and local-level institutions, including the Deputy Prime Minister and Chairperson of the Women's Committee, Tanzila Narbayeva, the Deputy Minister of Interior and Chair of the Interagency Anti-Trafficking Commission , Davron Nazarmukhamedov. Jarbussynova also had meetings with representatives of key state agencies such as the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations, the Supreme Court, the Senate of the Oliy Majlis, and the Office of the General Prosecutor of Uzbekistan. In addition, she was briefed by a group of anti-trafficking NGOs and international partners based in Tashkent.  

“Under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the ongoing legislative and structural reforms, which the country is undertaking in the framework of Uzbekistan's Development strategy for 2017-2021, represents a sizable opportunity to further tackle trafficking in human beings, in particular by promoting multi-agency and integrated responses to cases of trafficking for sexual and labour exploitation," said Jarbussynova. “I was delighted to hear the appreciation voiced by national authorities for the OSCE Project Coordinator in Uzbekistan and I encourage the authorities to deepen this excellent co-operation, particularly regarding the improvement of data collection and the design and implementation of  policy documents, including the national action plan against human trafficking and those aimed at advancing victim centred policy frameworks.”

Jarbussynova also travelled to the Bukhara Oblast, where she visited the NGONGO
non-governmental organization-run Bukhara Crisis Centre, met with the Deputy Head of the region, the Mayor of Bukhara, and the territorial branch of the Regional Anti-trafficking Commission. The Special Representative noted the key role played by territorial commissions in developing and conducting activities on the ground to prevent and combat human trafficking at the local level. In Tashkent, Jarbussynova also visited facilities of Istikbolli Avlod, an NGO helping to assist victims and prevent trafficking, and the State Rehabilitation Centre for Rendering Assistance and Protection to the Victims of Human Trafficking.

The Special Representative regularly conducts goal-oriented high-profile country visits to strengthen the capacity of OSCE participating States to address trafficking in human beings in a comprehensive and effective manner. These visits also present an opportunity to collect and share knowledge and best practices to prevent this serious human rights violation. In 2018, further country visits are planned to Austria, Cyprus, Kyrgyzstan, while a follow-up visit to Tajikistan will also be made to assess anti-trafficking progress made since the last visit in 2015.