The Kyrgyz Republic
The Kyrgyz Republic is a source, transit, and to a lesser extent, a destination country for men, women and children trafficked for the purposes of forced labour and commercial sexual
exploitation.
Prevention:
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) supports and advertises locally-run hotlines, which provide information for people seeking jobs abroad. The IOM has also published books
with testimonies of Kyrgyz trafficking survivors and is distributing these to schools. There are several Support Centers for Labour Migrants, which help those who want to go abroad for
labour to do so legally and safely. Other organisations also help with this, and raise general awareness. Oasis Kyrgyzstan, under the banner of STOP THE TRAFFIK, is raising awareness in
schools and among at-risk groups.
Prosecution:
Human trafficking is criminalised under the 2005 Law on Combat and Prevention of Human Trafficking, but few traffickers are sentenced. STOP THE TRAFFIK is setting up partnerships with
local authorities and police forces and planning to map and disrupt local human trafficking through Active Communities against Trafficking (ACT).
Protection:
The IOM supports three locally-run shelters that provide support for rescued human trafficking victims. The Kyrgyz government also provides assistance for two of these shelters. Other
organisations provide additional support.
Developments:
- STOP THE TRAFFIK and YFC will open a shelter for girls vulnerable to trafficking in autumn 2009.
- The IOM has asked STOP THE TRAFFIK to open a shelter for rescued trafficked children in the capital, Bishkek, in 2010.