Н о в о с т и
REPORT
on work carried out to combat human trafficking and forced labor in 2019

Recent years, just like in many other areas, extensive
work has been implemented to prevent and eliminate human trafficking and
forced labor, to protect the rights and legitimate interests of citizens.
In particular, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Sh.M. Mirziyoyev
in his speech at the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly on 19 September
2017 noted that effective measures to eliminate child and forced labor had
been undertaken in cooperation with the International Labor
Organization. As a result of these efforts, child labor and the practice of
systematic use of adult forced labor in agriculture, during refurbishment
and landscaping works have been eliminated.
I. Improving National Legislation and law enforcement practices
Over the past three years, 15 normative and legal acts, including 2 Laws, 2
Decrees and 3 Resolutions of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, 2
Resolutions of the Government have been published targeting systematization
of activities in these areas and elimination of existing challenges. Morover,
6 Conventions and Protocols of the International Labor Organization and the
International Organization for Migration have been ratified as well.
In particular, the adoption of the Decree of the President of the Republic
of Uzbekistan No. PF-5775 "On additional measures to further improve the
system of combating human trafficking and forced labor" created a new
coordination system of Government agencies in the fight against human
trafficking and forced labor to enhance the image of our country at the
international level.
In accordance with this Decree, a National Commission was created to Combat
Trafficking in Persons and Forced Labor consisting of subcommittees on
combating trafficking in persons and forced labor.
The Regulations governing the National Commission and subcommissions were
endorsed, and Regional Commissions were established and necessary legal
grounds for their activities were created.
Measures have also been identified and are being implemented to systematize
the activity of the National Commission and its subcommissions, regional
commissions to further strengthen cooperation between state and public
organizations in this area, including:
– Priority Action Plan for 2019-2020 on increasing efficiency of Government
agencies in the fight against human trafficking and forced labor;
– Media Plan to raise awareness of general public and international
community about the work being undertaken in the field on combating human
trafficking and forced labor;
– Roadmap aimed at improving Uzbekistan's position in international rankings
in the field of human trafficking and forced labor, taking into account the
recommendations of the International Labor Organization, the US State
Department, the Cotton Campaign and Human Rights Watch;
– Program of practical actions to ensure the protection of the rights and
freedoms of our citizens abroad.
The Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On introducing amendments and
modifications to some legislative acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan" (No.
ZRU-558 dated August 28, 2019) was published in order to strengthen
responsibility of persons engaged in using forced labor.
The Law provides for fines of up to 30 times the basic estimated amount for
forced labor, and up to 100 times the basic estimated amount for the same
offense if committed repeatedly within a year after the imposition of an
administrative penalty.
Also, in order to strengthen the responsibility for child labor and forced
labor offences, the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On introducing
amendments to the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan" had been
adopted to determine the measure of liability for criminal offences.
In 2019, the following 4 documents of the International Labor Organization
were ratified:
– Convention No. 144 "On Tripartite Consultations to Promote the Application
of International Labor Standards";
– Convention No. 81 “On Labour Inspection in Industry and Commerce”;
– Convention No. 129 “On Labor Inspection in Agriculture”; – Protocol to the
Convention on Forced Labor No. 29 (1930).
For information: To date, 17 conventions and 1 protocol of the International
Labor Organization have been ratified in order to implement international
norms in our national legislation.
Taking into account international experience and in order to further improve
national legislation in the field of combating human trafficking draft Law
“On amendments and modifications to the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan“
On Combating Trafficking in Human Beings” was developed and submitted to the
Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis in accordance with the established
procedure.
II. Organizational and practical measures taken in the field of combating
human trafficking and forced labor
1. Activities aimed at combating human trafficking
A public website www.ht.gov.uz and “hotline” (99) 311-01-01 of the the
Ministry of Internal Affairs have been launched to identify victims of
trafficking in persons, providing them with social and legal assistance.
The site regularly publishes information on the latest changes in
legislation in the field of combating trafficking in persons, the results of
ongoing organizational, awareness raising, operational-search activities.
In 2019, a total of 710 complaints related to human trafficking had been
received including 422 through the “hotline” and 288 from other sources of
the Ministry of Internal Affairs. 443 applications received qualified legal
explanations, 189 were satisfied, 57 were rejected based on legal grounds,
and 21 were left without consideration.
In 2019, 94 crimes related to human trafficking were registered, showing a
decrease to 26 or 21.6% compared with 2018. According to the criminal
classification, the offenses related to:
– 50 for the purpose of sexual exploitation;
– 3 of them with the intent to use forced labor; – 41 were crimes related to
infant trafficking. 137 (145) members of organized crime groups including
119 (124) women and 18 (21) men were prosecuted for the crimes committed.
137 people were victims of these crimes, including 96 victims (90 women and
5 men, 1 minor) of sexual and labor exploitation, and 41 victims of child
trafficking.
The number of crimes of trafficking in persons the purpose of sexual
exploitation decreased by 27.5% (from 69 to 50), and the majority of these
crimes were related to the smuggling of women abroad for sexual use.
Of the 50 crimes committed, 22 cases were related to the exploatation of our
citizens in foreign countries, 4 cases were related to forced labor within
the republic while 24 cases were related to the trafficking in persons
abroad. Two of the victims of this category of crimes (in Khorezm and Navoi
regions) are underage female.
In turn, the share of infant trafficking in human trafficking-related crimes
made up 43.6% (41) with 23 boys and 18 girls being victims of infant
trafficking.
When the causes of infant trafficking crimes were investigated, the majority
of perpetrators were young women between the ages of 18 and 30 including 5
young unmarried women who tried to hide pregnancy from relatives and family
members.
In 2019, the courts examined 109 criminal cases related to human trafficking
against 149 people, where 144 people were convicted in 104 crimanial cases,
the criminal prosecutions against 3 people were dismissed and 2 people were
sentenced to measures of compulsory medical treatment.
Courts sentenced 37 persons to life imprisonment, 54 to non-custodial
sanctions, and 50 to conditional sentences for the crimes related to human
trafficking. 15 victims were paid 75.7 мillion soums in financial
compensation.
In order to eliminate the causes of the criminal act and the conditions that
led to its commission, the Republican Criminal Courts considered 20 cases of
crimes related to human trafficking in mobile courts. 97 special rulings on
the revealed violations were issued to the relevant state body, citizens'
self-government body, public association.
Systematic work is being carried out to improve the professional skills of
related specialists in cooperation with government agencies, nongovernmental
and public organizations and international organizations working to combat
human trafficking.
In particular, from October 31 to November 1 of 2019, trainings on
"Effective media coverage of anti-trafficking issues" were carried out in
Fergana, Andijan and Namangan regions in cooperation with the
International Organization for Migration in order to improve the
professional training of anti-trafficking media representatives and
government officials. On November 10, 2019, a training webinar aimed at
improving the skills of members of the regional commission on combating
trafficking in persons and forced labor and ensuring the proper organization
of work in the places was held at the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
The training module “International and national mechanisms for combating
trafficking in persons and forced labor” was included in the program for
retraining judges for senior positions in order to improve the professional
qualifications of judges in the fight against trafficking in persons and
forced labor.
On November 26, 2019, a roundtable discussion on "Improving organizational
and legal mechanisms to combat human trafficking: national experience and
international practice" with the participation of international experts, the
Subcommittee on
Combating Trafficking in Human Beings and law enforcement agencies was held
in close cooperation with the OSCE Project Coordinator in Uzbekistan.
2. In the field of combating forced labor
A number of organizational and practical measures have been taken in the
field of combating forced labor.
In particular, in order to accelerate the consideration of citizens'
complaints and to eliminate forced labor, the Ministry of Employment and
Labor Relations, together with the State Labor Inspectorate and human rights
activists, has launched a hotline "1176", the site www.dmi.mehnat.uz,
telegram messenger "mehnathuquqbot" and the Telegram Group.
In 2019, a total of 1,282 applications related to forced labor including 403
via the hotline, 454 in writing, 250 via the Internet and 175 through social
networks were received.
Of the applications received, 609 were related to cotton harvesting and
other agricultural activities, 384 to landscaping, 228 to construction and
repair work, and 61 to other labor intensive activities.
All appeals were investigated, the violated labor rights of citizens were
restored and appropriate explanations and recommendations were provided on
this issue.
Monitoring of cases of use of forced labor had been carried out in 2,779
organizations, enterprises, institutions and farms.
As a result, administrative penalties under Articles 51 and 49 of the Code
of Administrative Responsibility of the Republic of Uzbekistan were imposed
on 259 (including 118 cases related to the cotton harvest season) people who
used forced labor and 56 officials who delayed salary payments and failed to
create the necessary working conditions, including:
– 18 district and city governors and their deputies;
– 82 principals of public education institutions and heads of district
public education departments;
– 10 heads of preschool educational institutions;
– 5 heads of health care institutions;
– 20 heads of banks and financial institutions;
– 122 officials of other business associations;
– 2 dismissed district governors who failed to create adequate working and
living conditions.
The State Labor Inspectorate issued a total of 225 written instructions, 16
warnings and 25 recommendations to the heads of local authorities,
republican and regional organizations and educational institutions regarding
the causes of forced labor and eliminating conditions that support forced
labor.
Impact measures applied by the SLI against forced labor in 2019
Also, as a result of the investigation conducted by the prosecutor's office,
7 officials were imposed administrative penalties, while 2690 heads of local
executive authorities, enterprises, organizations and institutions, farms
received warning.
In addition, as a result of inspections on the issues related to the
creation of decent working conditions for employees and compliance with
labor protection regulations conducted by labor law inspectors, 6,569
violations of labor regulations were identified which led to the legal
actions against employers.
2,480 seminars dedicated to the issues of compliance with the employment law
during the recruitment process and creation of decent working conditions for
employees were held for employers and their representatives including heads
of governmental and non-governmental organizations, farms.
At the same time, 32 non-governmental non-profit organizations received 1
billion 74 million soums in public grants allocated by the Public Fund under
the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and other state funds with the
intent to enhance the role of civil society institutions in the prevention
of human trafficking and forced labor.
4 international experts and 16 civil society activists partcipated in a
thirdparty monitoring on the issues of the use of child labor and forced
labor during the 2019 cotton harvest conducted in cooperation with the
International Labor Organization.
The results of third-party monitoring were announced at an international
roundtable on "Decent Work in Support of Reforms" held on February 5, 2020
in Tashkent.
According to them, the child labor and forced labor have been completely and
systematically eliminated in the cotton industry of Uzbekistan and the
number of cases of forced labor during the the cotton harvest campain
decreased by 40% compared to 2018 and 94.1% of cotton pickers worked
voluntarily.
In addition, national monitoring on the use of child labor and forced labor
during the cotton harvesting capmain in 2019 was mainly conducted by
representatives of civil society institutions, with the participation of 65
activists.
The head of the Legal Department of the Federation of Independent Trade
Unions of Russia Yu. Peleshenko, representatives of the International Labor
Organization A. Dubova, D. Urunova and A. Khankhadjaev participated in the
national monitoring as international experts.
In the process of national monitoring, specialists paid 399 visits to
districts and cities where they interviewed 3,159 respondents from 731
farms, 146 educational institutions, 106 health care facilities, 77 business
entities, 56 khokimiyats, 35 mahallas.
According to the results of the monitoring, no cases of involvement of the
staff of the budget-funded organizations, in particular, medical staff and
teachers in the forced labor during the cotton harvest campaign were
identified.
Therefore, as a result of monitoring conducted by labor inspectors in 2019,
21 cases (landscaping works of school zone) of use of child labor were
revealed (Bukhara, Samarkand, Namangan, Kashkadarya, Navoi, Khorezm and
Tashkent regions) and inspectors imposed fines against 21 officials (49.3
million soums).
A number of measures have been taken to raise public awareness on the fight
against forced labor, to establish mechanisms for feedback and rapid
communication with the communities.
In particular, during the 2019 cotton harvest season 281 appeals were
received through the "hotline" and the telegram channel kasaba_bot, launched
within the framework of the project "Feedback Mechanism" of the Federation
of Trade Unions.
Of these, 82 were related to the forced labor during the cotton harvest
campaign, 119 - non-payment of wages for the collected cotton, 44 -
insufficient working and living conditions for the cotton pickers, and 34
related to the money collection for the organization of the cotton
harvesting works.
All appeals were considered in the places with the participation of experts
and 130 (46%) of them were confirmed and immediate measures were taken to
eliminate the identified problems.
III. On the protection and assistance to victims of trafficking in persons
and forced labor
Today, the Republican rehabilitation center for assistance to the victims of
human trafficking operates in Tashkent to provide comprehensive assistance
and social rehabilitation to victims of human trafficking.
In 2019, the Republican Rehabilitation Center provided medical,
psychological and legal services to 220 victims of human trafficking
(including 121 men, 63 women and 36 minors). In addition, 113 of them were
provided with permanent job places.
At the same time, An estimated 24 million UZS in grant funds were awarded to
over 16 victims of human trafficking to facilitate their selfemployment (4
heads of cattle, 8 sewing machines, 3 welding machines, 3.5 mln. UZS per
person).
Monitoring to analyze the further activities of the victims supported by the
Center was carried out in cooperation with the regional departments of the
Ministry of Employment and Labor Relations.
Consular offices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs provided necessary
consular and legal assistance to 40 citizens of Uzbekistan who became
victims of human trafficking and provided practical assistance in their
return to Uzbekistan.
For information: among the victims received assistance 16 were in
Kazakhstan, 15 in Russia, 5 in Thailand, 2 in the UAE and 2 in India.
3,938 citizens of Uzbekistan were employed abroad through the Agency for
External Labor Migration and private employment agencies, while 213,371
citizens were provided with legal advice.
For information: Citizens were employed Korea (1470 people or 37.3%), Russia
(1334 people or 33.8%), Turkey (535 people or 13.6%), Lithuania (342 people
or 8.7%), Latvia (80 people or 2 people) %), Bulgaria (38 people or 1%),
Poland (38 people or 1%) and other countries (101 people or 2.6%) in an
organized manner.
Agency Representations in the Russian Federation (100 thousand
US dollars) and in the Republic of Korea ($ 430,000) collected a total of $
530,000 in uncollected wages of the migrant workers from foreign employers,
and provided advice and legal assistance to 21,764 citizens.
IV. Raising public awareness of the negative factors of human trafficking
and forced labor 1. Actions on combating forced labor
More than 5,000 workshops, over 2,000 roundtables and 15 conferences on
International regulations and national legislation in the field of forced
labor were held in 2019.
Also, 309 tv and 548 radio programs, 492 newspaper and magazine articles
were dedicated to the awareness raising on the forced labor.
A legal-methodological manual "Beware of forced labor!" was developped for
employers and employees, as well as representatives and activists of
citizens' self-government bodies and delivered to places.
In cooperation with the International Labor Organization, 600 banners were
placed in densely populated areas and 200,000 flyers were distributed among
citizens in order to raise public awareness of the negative factors of
forced labor during the cotton harvest campaign.
On September 13, 2019, the Agency for Information and Mass Communications in
cooperation with the International Labor Organization's "Third Party
Monitoring" project held a press conference on "Measures to eliminate and
prevent forced labor in Uzbekistan”. An open dialogue on the fight against
forced labor in Uzbekistan in 2019 was broadcast in the program "Munosabat"
aired on the TV channel "Uzbekistan" on November 4, 2019.
2. Сombating human trafficking
In 2019, a number of advocacy activities were carried out within the
framework of the program "Human trafficking is a problem of our time" in
order to raise awareness of the population about the tragic consequences of
human trafficking, to prevent citizens, especially women and youth from
falling into the trap of this scourge.
About 3,800 advocacy groups have been formed under this program who prmoted
their ideals through appearences in more than 7,500 mass media means,
including 2,600 on the Internet (social networks, official news sites,
etc.), and 2500 on television, 1,600 on the radio and over 1,000 in printed
materials.
In addition, more than 24,400 round tables, about 8,600 seminars and over
750 conferences were held in this direction with the participation of the
population.
Advocacy activities on prevention of human trafficking and illegal migration
were carried out in districts and cities, as well as at airports, railway
stations and border checkpoints, about 235,000 brochures, booklets,
recommendations, posters and other materials were distributed and over 5,100
banners were installed.
In addition, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
invited ministries and departments, the diplomatic corps, civil society and
the media representatives to the presentation of the "Guiding principles for
the provision of Human Rights in the Return of the victims of human
trafficking to their country of origin" published in Uzbek language and the
film about human trafficking "With Love from Sonya".
The Ministry of Internal Affairs and the "Istiqbolli Avlod" Center held a
media briefing in Tashkent on the results of the “Fight against human
trafficking” project in Central Asia and the "16 days against violence"
campaign.
On November 13-14, 2019, Tashkent hosted an international conference on "The
role of the courts in combating human trafficking." It was attended by a
total of 35 experts and representatives of international organizations from
more than 20 countries, including the United Kingdom, Russia, France,
Austria, Azerbaijan, Hungary, Greece, Italy, Spain, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,
Latvia and Portugal.
V. Strengtheining international cooperation 1. Combating forced labor
In order to secure the protection of the rights and legitimate interests of
citizens and enhance the image of our country in the international arena,
efforts are being made A number of international events have been held in
Uzbekistan to bring to the attention of the international community the
large-scale measures taken in Uzbekistan to prevent child labor and forced
labor, complete elimination of any of its manifestations.
In particular, on February 4-8, 2019, the Uzbek delegation visited the
United States and a number of international organizations to raise awareness
of the work being done in Uzbekistan to ensure human rights, as well as
labor rights.
During the visit, members of the delegation also took part in the annual
meeting of the International "Cotton Campaign" Coalition. This annual
meeting brings together the representatives of various human rights
organizations, the Association of American Manufacturers, retailers and
trade unions.
During the visit, separate meetings were held with representatives of the
World Bank, the Presidential Administration, the State Department and the
Department of Labor.
As a result of efforts to combat forced labor in our country, in March 2019,
the US State Department removed Uzbek cotton from the list of products
prohibited from public procurement in the United States due to the use of
forced labor and child labor.
On April 1-3, 2019, the Uzbek delegation took part in a discussion forum on
"How Uzbekistan combats on child labor and forced labor in the cotton
harvest" held in Brussels. The forum was attended by representatives of the
European Union, the International Labor Organization, the World Bank, the
diplomatic corps, labor and human rights organizations and foreign media
experts.
During the forum, the Uzbek delegation provided a detailed information on
the ongoing reforms in Uzbekistan, in particular, the efforts aimed to
develop and modernize the agricultural and textile industries, increase the
attractiveness of the country's investment climate, complete elimination of
child labor and forced labor, prevention of their any form of
manifestations, development of institutional cooperation in this area. The
delegation also held talks with representatives of the European Union, the
International Labor Organization, the International Trade Union
Confederation, Human Rights Watch, textile companies and other international
institutions.
Ministries and agencies involved in the fight against forced labor have also
carried out some work to study the experience of foreign countries and to
ensure the participation of their employees in international trainings.
2. Combating human trafficking
Close cooperation has been established with the relevant law enforcement
agencies of Central Asia in order to fully protect the rights and interests
of victims of human trafficking and provide assistance to the individuals
who suffered from this crime in repatriation.
With the purpose of the fight against human trafficking and illegal
migration, a draft project on "bilateral agreements" to combat all forms of
human trafficking developed in cooperation with law enforcement agencies of
the United States, India, UAE, Turkey, Thailand and Malaysia has been
submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
The law enforcement agencies of Central Asian countries have launched joint
programs like "Stop Human Trafficking" and "Illegal".
On March 26-30, 2019, a joint preventive operation "Stop human trafficking"
was conducted in the territory of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and
Uzbekistan.
For information: During the joint operation, a total of 43 crimes related to
human trafficking were disclosed in 4 countries (21 in Uzbekistan, 19 in
Kazakhstan and 3 in Kyrgyzstan).
Among the detected cases in Uzbekistan, 3 were related to the sexual
exploitation and 18 to the prostitution pimping and pandering cases.
2,861 raids were carried out in nightclubs, saunas and hotels, 258 women
engaged in prostitution were listed in the preventive register, 87 cases of
administrative offenses were detected and administrative measures were
imposed against the perpetrators.
Also, on November 18-22, 2019, preventive operation "Illegal" was held in
the cities of Nur-Sultan, Almaty and Shymkent in cooperation with the
related state bodies of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
For information: As a result of the operation, 3 fugitives on the
international wanted list were detained for committing the human trafficking
crime. 56 citizens of Kazakhstan (employers) who used forced labor against
the citizens of Uzbekistan were brought to administrative responsibility,
while 6 people who violated the migration legislation were prosecuted.
In addition, the court ordered 186 Uzbek citizens to leave the country for
violation of the rules of stay in the Republic of Kazakhstan and the period
of stay of 427 individuals in Kazakhstan was reduced.
According to the “Re-admission” Agreement, it was agreed to deport 83 (23 of
them were brought back) citizens of Uzbekistan detained in temporary
detention centers, who reportedly used for forced labour and unable to
return to their homeland for various reasons without any legal measures.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan and diplomatic
missions and consulates abroad regularly take wide-range systematic measures
to combat human trafficking and forced labor, as well as to provide
assistance to our compatriots who suffered from such crimes.
In particular, new consulates general wide opened their doors for the
citiizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan permanently residing abroad in the
Russian cities like St. Petersburg, Kazan, Rostov-on-Don, Yekaterinburg and
Vladivostok as well as in Kazakhstan including the cities of Almaty and
Aktau, in Guangzhou city of China, to provide them necessary legal
assistance.
In addition, additional staff units for the representatives of the Ministry
of Employment and Labor Relations were introduced at the Embassies of the
Republic of Uzbekistan in Russia (2 staff units) and in the Republic of
Korea (2 staff units), at the Consulate Generals in Istanbul (2 staff units)
and in Novosibirsk (1 staff unit).
On November 25, 2019, members of the National Commission against Trafficking
in Persons and Forced Labor held a videoconference with representatives of
the US State Department and the Department of Labor. A delegation of the US
State Department and the Ministry of Labor visited Uzbekistan in accordance
with the agreement reached during the video conference. During the event,
members of the delegation were closely acquainted with the efforts of our
country to combat human trafficking and forced labor.
In addition, the specialists of the state and public organizations dealing
with the issues of human trafficking and forced labor visited Russia,
Norway, Italy, Austria, Turkey and Kazakhstan to improve their skills as
well as to study the best experiences of foreign countries.
In order to further develop international cooperation in the fight against
human trafficking and forced labor, a program of joint projects to be
implemented by ministries and agencies in cooperation with international
organizations in 2020 has been developed and implemented.
The program outlines measures aimed at the further development of
cooperation among the relevant ministries and agencies of the Republic of
Uzbekistan, the International Labor Organization, the Organization for
Security and Cooperation in Europe, the International Organization for
Migration, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime to prevent human trafficking and
forced labor.
VI. Existing problems in the fight against human trafficking and forced
labor and recommendations for their solution
1. Even today, some local executive officials, heads of ministries,
departments and their subdivisions still practice the forced labor methods.
In 2019, cases of involvement of employees of the Ministries of Defense,
Interior Affairs, Emergency Situations and cadets of military schools forced
labor in the cotton harvest were revealed. This has led to protests from
various human rights organizations.
According to the results of monitoring conducted by the International Labor
Organization, 5.9% (102 thousand people) of workers were involved in forced
labor during the cotton harvest in 2019.
Besides, the national monitoring conducted by the Federation of Trade Unions
of Uzbekistan in cooperation with representatives of nongovernmental
organizations revealed 47 cases where 3,895 individuals (including 700
servicemen) were forced to participate in the cotton harvest.
2. While human trafficking-related crimes decreased in 2019 compared to
2018, infant trafficking-related crimes remain high among the total crimes
committed in this area.
In particular, 38% (46) of the 120 human trafficking-related crimes
committed in 2018 were infant trafficking crimes, and 43% (41) of the 94
crimes of this nature committed in 2019 were infant trafficking-related
crimes.
3. Analysis of crimes related to human trafficking shows that criminals
using new methods and means to recruit people for this type of crime.
The mechanism for ensuring the legal grounds to consider the complaints on
human trafficking and the detection and prosecution of such crimes, as well
as the principle of inevitability of punishment for such crimes has not been
effectively worked out.
In particular, in 2019, out of 710 complaints received related to human
trafficking, criminal proceedings were initiated in 94 (13%) cases and legal
action was taken against the perpetrators in 137 cases.
Specialists working in this field lack knowledge and experience to initiate
criminal proceedings against traffickers and bring the cases to the courts.
International organizations also negatively assess the decline in the number
of judicial proceedings on such crimes in Uzbekistan.
4. No special law has been adopted that regulates labor migration; the legal
concepts related to labor migration have not been reflected in the law and,
as a result, the legal status of labor migrants, their rights and
obligations have not completely defined.
5. The Republican Rehabilitation Center for Assistance and Protection of
Victims of Human Trafficking in Tashkent is the only organization involved
in the social rehabilitation of victims of human trafficking.
Currently, the material and technical base of the Center is outdated and
does not meet today's requirements. Insufficient funds are allocated for
food (15,800 soums per day) and medicine (907 soums per day) supply for the
victims placed in the center.
Recommendations:
1. Continuation of the International Labor Organization's third-party
monitoring and national monitoring on the prevention of forced labor, with
the involvement of representatives of civil society institutions and
international experts, with a view to conducting monitoring in other sectors
of the economy.
Hold training seminars for the managers of agricultural clusters and farms,
other employers on compliance with international labor standards, creation
of decent jobs and transition to a market economy management mechanism,
taking into account the cancelling of the state quotas for the production
and sale of cotton.
Ensuring that the cotton harvest to be carried out only by cotton and
textile clusters and farms with the support of local public organizations,
in strict compliance with the requirements of national legislation and
without interference of local authorities in these activities.
Development of a draft national program on decent work in Uzbekistan for
2021-2023 in order to further develop cooperation with the International
Labor Organization.
Continuation of the implementation of international conventions on forced
labor in national legislation and consideration of the ratification
opportunities of the ILO Conventions "Workmen's Compensation (Accidents)
Convention" No. 17, "Maternity Protection Convention" No. 183, "On
occupational safety and health" in 2020.
2. Complete inventory of existing regulations related to child adoption and
development of proposals for amendments and additions to the national
legislation to further simplify this process, taking into account the best
international practices.
Develop and approve an action plan to further strengthen the fight against
infant trafficking, with an in-depth analysis of the causes.
3. Training of law enforcement officers in accordance with international
standards for the detection of crimes related to human trafficking and the
principle of inevitability of punishment, intensive advanced training in
developed countries.
Development of a draft law on the identification of victims of trafficking
in persons in accordance with international standards and the implementation
of a national referral mechanism.
4. Development of the draft law "On migration" in order to determine the
external labor migration, its mechanisms and forms, to strengthen the
employment of citizens abroad, to improve public policy in this area, to
work with migrant workers abroad and their social protection, as well as to
develop competition and market infrastructure for employment abroad.
Continue to establish offices of the Agency for External Labor Migration in
countries with a large number of Uzbek migrants in order to develop
cooperation with the competent authorities of foreign countries in the
comprehensive protection of the rights and interests of our citizens abroad.
For information: Representative offices of the Agency for External Labor
Migration are currently operating in Moscow, Russia, and Gwangju, South
Korea.
5. To reconsider the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic
of Uzbekistan No. 240 of November 5, 2008 "About formation of the Republican
rehabilitation center for assistance to the victims of human trafficking"
and to develop a new draft resolution on amendments and additions, taking
into consideration the modern requirements.
The draft document envisages improving the activities of the center, its
transfer to the system of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the
establishment of its regional branches in the regions.
6. Further improvement of the draft Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On
Non-Governmental Organizations" with the broad involvement of experts from
international organizations, representatives of civil society in order to
increase the effectiveness of the activity of civil society institutions and
nongovernmental organizations in the fight against human trafficking and
forced labor as well as to create favorable conditions for the registration
and operation of non-governmental organizations operating in this direction.
7. Development of a draft National Strategy for Employment, taking into
considaration the issues of creation of decent jobs for the people, in part
for women aand young individuals, as well as reducing the level of informal
employment.
8. Ensuring the employment of the population, especially youth and women,
poverty alleviation, active participation of civil society in the solution
of these issues as well as the organization of training and awareness
raising of social workers in accordance with international standards, taking
measures to attract targeted grants of the UN, the European Union, the World
Bank and other international organizations.
9. Development of an unified reporting system for crimes and offenses
related to human trafficking and forced labor.
10. Ensuring the regular broadcasting of social videos on the fight against
human trafficking and forced labor in the media, in particular through
television, improving their quality and effectiveness.
“Dunyo” IA
|
| |
|
 |
|
©
www.uzbekistan.kg 2018 |
 |
|