National dialogue on combating human trafficking

The International Organization for Migration (IOM), together with the Commissioner for Human Rights in the Republic of Kazakhstan, with the support of the US Embassy in Kazakhstan, held a national dialogue.

The forum was attended by deputies of the Mazhilis, representatives of the Supreme Court, the Prosecutor General’s Office, the Ministries of Internal Affairs, Labor and Social Protection of the Population, foreign Affairs, as well as representatives of civil society, international organizations and representative offices.

The participants discussed the effectiveness of measures to identify victims of human trafficking and criminal prosecution for crimes related to human trafficking. The study was conducted by international experts with the assistance of the Regional Hub for Countering Global Threats of the Academy of Law Enforcement Agencies under the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

During the discussions, the main reasons for the low identification and insufficiently effective investigation of crimes related to human trafficking were analyzed. There was also an exchange of experience, familiarization with international practice on the prevention and suppression of such crimes.

It was noted that in order to successfully counteract the facts of human trafficking, a qualitative change in approaches to solving existing problems, close interaction and systematic work of authorized bodies, consolidation of the efforts of the state and civil society are necessary.​

As a result of the forum, a number of recommendations were developed to improve efforts to combat human trafficking in Kazakhstan, aimed at creating effective mechanisms for countering criminal acts, improving the system for identifying victims of crimes and providing them with the necessary social assistance.