Dushanbe, Tajikistan – 19 December 2024 - Trafficking in persons (TIP) remains a critical global issue, affecting millions worldwide. While cross-border trafficking garners significant attention, internal trafficking – a hidden and often overlooked problem - poses unique challenges, particularly in Tajikistan.
Internal trafficking primarily affects vulnerable populations, including women, children, and marginalized communities, and is exacerbated by factors such as poverty, lack of education, and social inequality. Although the identification of TIP victims in Tajikistan has increased—rising from 15 victims in 2022 to 90 in 2023—data specific to internal trafficking remains scarce, hindering the development of targeted interventions.
To address this issue, UNODC organized a consultation dialogue with civil society organizations in Dushanbe, on 19 December 2024. The event, conducted under the EU-funded GLO.ACT (PROTECT) project, brought together 21 representatives (16 women and 5 men) from the NGO Network “Umed,” which operates across multiple regions in Tajikistan.
Firdavs Odinaev, UNODC National Project Officer, emphasized the importance of the dialogue, stating, “Today’s dialogue is essential for raising awareness about internal trafficking in persons in Tajikistan - a subject that has, until now, garnered little attention at the local level.” He added, “Addressing internal trafficking in Tajikistan is not just the responsibility of the government or international organizations; it is a shared duty that requires the commitment and action of all stakeholders, including civil society organizations. By fostering dialogue and collaboration, we can better advocate for the identification and protection of victims of internal trafficking.”
During the meeting, civil society organizations discussed trends and the scope of internal trafficking in Tajikistan, drawing insights from first-line responders such as social workers, lawyers, and caseworkers. Participants also explored key topics, including the trafficking phenomenon, relevant statistics, international and national legal frameworks, victim-centered approaches, and trafficking indicators.
Attendees were introduced to the recently published UNODC Global Report on Trafficking in Persons (GLOTIP), which offers a comprehensive global assessment of TIP, including trafficking patterns and country-specific case data.
Engaging actively in roundtable discussions led by Nushofarin Noziri, UNODC Regional Consultant, participants addressed issues such as trends and forms of internal trafficking, gender dynamics, and collaboration between NGOs and law enforcement agencies in combating internal TIP.
The roundtable discussions culminated in a session encouraging civil society organizations to leverage their expertise and insights to develop actionable recommendations for addressing internal TIP in Tajikistan.
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The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is implementing the European Union-(EU) funded PROTECT initiative within the framework of GLO.ACT across Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, and Tajikistan. This initiative also addresses challenges in the broader Central Asia region, including the Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, with a primary focus on enhancing the effectiveness of responses to trafficking in persons (TIP) and smuggling of migrants (SOM), particularly in relation to criminal justice. Meanwhile, the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) is responsible for implementing the PROTECT initiative in Afghanistan (specifically through virtual MRC Afghanistan), Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Their primary objectives include improving gender-sensitive and rights-based migration governance at the national level and establishing Migrant Resource Centres (MRCs).
The project is funded by the European Union.
For more information, please contact:
Martin Reeve (Mr.), GLO.ACT Coordinator, Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Section, UNODC
Email: martin.reeve@un.org
Golda Myra ROMA (Ms.), Senior Project Manager, ICMPD Silk Routes Region – Budapest Process
Email: Golda.Roma@icmpd.org
