Exploring the evolving face of trafficking in persons: insights from UNODC's Madina
Sarieva
Can state authorities confront trafficking in persons in its new forms? Madina Sarieva, International Program Manager at the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), addressed this question during the conference “Strengthening National Measures to Combat Trafficking in Persons: Cooperation, Coordination and Key Lessons.” The event marked the culmination of the UNODC project “Supporting Victim-Centered Investigations and Prosecutions of Human Trafficking in the Kyrgyz Republic,” funded by the U.S. Department of State's Office to Combat Trafficking in Persons.
Q; What are the main challenges in the field of trafficking in persons in the Kyrgyz Republic?
A: It is crucial to note that trafficking in persons is evolving and moving into cyberspace. Therefore, it is essential to develop proactive measures to raise public awareness that recruitment for trafficking can occur through common social media platforms.
Moreover, state authorities and law enforcement agencies involved in the implementation of the anti-trafficking laws should clearly understand how to identify such cases in cyberspace.
Thirdly, it is necessary to amend the relevant national legislation, particularly the Criminal Code of Kyrgyzstan, to ensure that digital evidence collected during investigations can be used in court, as it is this evidence that determines the case outcomes.
In Kyrgyzstan, authorities must identify most common new types of trafficking and compile relevant criminal statistics. To date, over ten articles in the Criminal Code address trafficking-related crimes. But unfortunately, official statistics cover only three of them: sexual exploitation, labor exploitation, and trafficking in children. Trafficking in persons encompasses a broader range of interrelated crimes, highlighting the need for comprehensive data collection.
Q: Are there ways to solve these problems?
A: Collaboration with the Prosecutor General's Office of Kyrgyzstan is critical for compiling accurate statistical data on trafficking cases. Public awareness campaigns should leverage digital platforms, emphasizing not only the moral implications of trafficking, but also the legal sanctions imposed for such crimes. A detailed commentary on the Criminal Code and the Criminal Procedure Code should be prepared to clarify the seriousness of these crimes and the sanctions. This would help in cases where trafficking is suspected but difficult to prove, allowing for a more effective legal action.
Q: What role does UNODC play in supporting the Government in countering trafficking in persons? Could you please share the project results?
A: For 15 years, UNODC has been assisting the Government of Kyrgyzstan in developing measures to prevent and combat trafficking in persons.
Our mandate covers the entire criminal justice chain - from identification of trafficking victims and initiation of criminal cases to conducting investigations and court proceedings.
I would like to emphasize that in recent years, UNODC has focused on capacity-building for law enforcement and criminal justice officers. This year, relevant training materials and methodological manuals were provided for internal affairs bodies.
In addition, a specialized course on trafficking in persons was introduced at the Academy of the Kyrgyz Ministry of Internal Affairs, thus institutionalizing training materials and ensuring the sustainability of our efforts.
Another point I would like to emphasize is interaction with civil society. Our work included training on how to support victims of trafficking effectively. This includes conducting research, analyzing criminal statistics, and investigating discrepancies between data provided by all civil society and state authorities.
Most importantly, in my opinion, it is necessary to realize that victims of trafficking in persons must decide for themselves whether to contact law enforcement authorities or not. Assistance in the criminal process can only be provided with their consent.
Interview conducted by Vasilina Brazhko, UNODC Communications Officer, +996775987817 WhatsApp
