UN Special Rapporteur Siobhán Mullally will assess the issue of trafficking in persons in Tajikistan during an official visit to the country from 8-15 December 2021.
“This visit will be an opportunity to meet relevant officials, civil society, organisations and survivors, to discuss trafficking in persons in all its forms, the key human rights concerns arising, as well as the progress that Tajikistan has made in combating trafficking in persons,” Mullally said.
“I will pay particular attention to the main challenges in implementing international and legal frameworks on trafficking to ensure the human rights of victims, and effective prevention. A particular concern will be the risks of trafficking that may be faced by refugees, asylum seekers, migrant workers and their families.
“Gender equality and the gender dimension of trafficking will be a central focus, in particular the risks of trafficking for purposes of sexual exploitation, prevention of all forms of trafficking and access to effective remedies. Child rights and concerns in relation to child trafficking for all forms of exploitation will also be examined.”
“I will also examine Tajikistan’s existing and planned measures to prevent trafficking, including protection of the rights of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, and to identify and protect victims, ensure access to justice and to effective remedies and social protection for survivors. Measures to combat impunity for trafficking in persons, and ensure effective investigations, will be examined.”
Mullally will meet representatives of Government agencies, as well as UN officials, members of civil society organisations and human rights defenders, especially those working on prevention, and on identification and victim assistance, during her visit to Dushanbe. She will also assess the challenges of identifying, and ensuring protection to victims of trafficking among asylum seekers and refugees, and people at risk of trafficking.
The Special Rapporteur will hold a press conference to share her preliminary observations with the media. It will take place at 1600 local time on 15 December at the UN Headquarters in Dushanbe, 5/1 Lohuti Street. Access will be strictly limited to journalists.
The Special Rapporteur’s findings and recommendations will be presented to the UN Human Rights Council in June 2022.