On adopting by Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis (Parliament) of the Republic of Uzbekistan of the Law “On countering the trafficking in persons”

April 08, 2008

On March 13 this year the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan held its session. Among the major legislative acts which define the legal foundations of Uzbekistan’s international cooperation was the adoption of the Law “On countering the trafficking in persons”.

Adoption by Uzbekistan’s parliament of this law serves as a reliable basis for preventing this type of encroachment on the rights, freedoms and lawful interests of citizens. Besides, the document will serve the strengthening of legal basis for protecting people, increasing the efficiency of measures on combating the illegal exploitation, migration and trafficking in persons. The law was elaborated by the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Uzbekistan jointly with other concerned agencies.

The Republic of Uzbekistan actively cooperates with international organizations in the sphere of combating the illegal exploitation, migration and trafficking in persons. In particular, in 2003 the national parliament ratified the Convention on combating the trafficking in persons and exploitation of prostitution by third parties and the Convention against transnational organized crime.

According to the Committee of Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan on legislation and judicial issues, for over the past three years over 1000 applications were filed by people who have fell victim of trafficking in persons. About 700 criminal cases were instigated. Unfortunately, more than half of the prosecuted on criminal cases make up the women.

Not less important peculiarity of the passed law is that with an aim to render protection and assistance to victims of trafficking in persons it envisages the establishment of special institutions on countering the trafficking in persons that would be able to take the whole spectrum of measures, including the medical, psychological, social, and legal aid.