World Day against human trafficking: OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan co-hosts event on combating this crime amid COVID-19 pandemic

To mark the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, an online roundtable discussion on combating this crime in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic was co-organized by the OSCE Project Coordinator in Uzbekistan and partners on 29 July 2020. The event brought together 90 representatives and experts in the field of combating human trafficking and forced labour from more than 50 government agencies and non-governmental organizations, as well as international organizations.

The event was co-organized with the UN Office for Drugs and Crime’s (UNODC) Regional Office for Central Asia (ROCA), the Academy of the General Prosecutor's office, the National Commission on Combating Human Trafficking and Forced Labour, and the National Centre for Human Rights of Uzbekistan.

Opening the discussion, the Chairperson of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis (national parliament) and the National Commission on Combating Human Trafficking and Forced Labour, Tanzila Narbaeva noted that the fight against human trafficking has risen to the level of state policy in Uzbekistan, and the participation of representatives of ministries and state departments in the event reflected the importance of this issue.

The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, Ambassador John MacGregor noted, “in the face of a security threat like COVID-19, we must stay united. Joining efforts against trafficking in human beings is not only the duty of law enforcement agencies, but also requires the participation of every person and the whole society to ensure the security and safety for the most vulnerable.”

Ashita Mittal of ROCA referred to UNODC's global research, drawing attention to the fact that victims of human trafficking are even more at risk in the context of the pandemic. The socio-economic consequences of the pandemic pose a serious threat not only to current victims, but also to people at risk of becoming victims of human trafficking, for example, those who have lost their jobs due to the economic slowdown.

Participants discussed providing rehabilitation services at the national level to human trafficking victims, providing practical assistance to victims by diplomatic missions and consulates of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and emphasized the importance of sharing experiences.

Anti-trafficking Adviser at the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), Tatiana Kotlyarenko presented key findings of the joint ODIHR and UN Women Policy Survey Reports and Recommendations on “Addressing Emerging Human Trafficking Trends and Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic”.

The discussion also explored Uzbekistan’s progress in combating human trafficking in recent months and the need to strengthen co-operation between state bodies and civil society organizations in addressing this crime, particularly in light of the new edition of the law "On combating human trafficking".