Director of the NGO "Oasis": within the UNODC project framework, 60 victims of human
trafficking were identified and 16 criminal cases were opened
Meerim Osmonalieva, Director of the NGO "Oasis", spoke about the issues of modern slavery within the framework of activities implemented under the UNODC project "Supporting Investigations and Prosecutions Focused on Victims of Human Trafficking in the Kyrgyz Republic", funded by the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons of the US Department of State.
Q: What work did you carry out within the framework of the project, and what were the results?
A: We have been implementing a program to combat human trafficking, including child trafficking, for more than 20 years. Throughout this time, we have been actively and fruitfully cooperating with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime specifically in the fight against human trafficking.
Statistics from the Oasis Foundation show that 80% of vulnerable youth work without employment contracts, and 30% of them become victims of exploitation - often minors who are children of labour migrants left without parental care. According to international organizations, 277,000 children in Kyrgyzstan have parents working abroad. Often, it is these children who become victims of violence and exploitation. The problem is that social services and law enforcement agencies sometimes find it difficult to work with such children, as they require a special approach and attention.
To ensure that victims have access to quality legal assistance, we have trained 43 lawyers, human rights defenders and attorneys with necessary skills to protect victims of human trafficking. These training courses were conducted in partnership with the Bar Association of the Kyrgyz Republic. A unique feature of our project was involving human rights defenders from non-profit organizations, which actively protect victims in the Kyrgyz Republic. This also ensures sustainability, as they can continue to work in their organizations to identify and provide legal assistance.
As part of the UNODC project, we identified 60 victims of human trafficking, 30% of whom were minors. The most important achievement of our joint work was the initiation of 16 criminal cases, mainly related to the sexual exploitation of minors and labour exploitation of foreign citizens.
Q: What are the current trends in Kyrgyzstan in the field of human trafficking, including cases of child trafficking?
A: It is important to note the fact that migration routes are changing. Experts say that due to the military conflict between Russia and Ukraine, many labour migrants are returning. However, the research conducted our foundation in 2022-2023 indicates that the number of citizens leaving to work abroad is not decreasing.
Despite the government’s efforts to diversify migration processes and conclude agreements with other states to avoid the participation of citizens in hostilities and ensure their return, migration flows remain high. In the Russian Federation, the continued demand for labour fuels migration from Central Asian countries.
Another growing concern is cybercrime, increasingly targeting teenagers addicted to gadgets and social networks. Such unsupervised online activities, combined with a desire for quick money, make young people vulnerable to online sexual exploitation and forced crime. Criminals often attract girls with promises of a web modelling career and recruit young men as drugs couriers.
Q: What measures need to be taken to improve support for victims of human trafficking?
A: First, the system of prompt response to cases of human trafficking must be improved. Unfortunately, delays by individual government agencies often prevent timely assistance to victims.
To address this, it is important not only to establish effective interdepartmental cooperation, but also to focus on operational methods of rescuing victims. This means leveraging all available resources at the local level to ensure victims of human trafficking have full access to services and timely assistance. Only through comprehensive rehabilitation can victims gain the ability to defend their rights and seek protection from law enforcement agencies.
Our organization does everything possible to ensure that every victim has access to the necessary assistance and protection. We promote the rehabilitation of victims of human trafficking and their integration into society, helping them start a new life.
Interview conducted by Vasilina Brazhko, UNODC Communications Analyst. For more information call +996775987817 on WhatsApp
