Use of technology to combat trafficking in human beings focus of an OSCE roundtable

The efforts of the Office of the OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings to advance the dialogue on combating the misuse of technology by traffickers to exploit victims are being complemented by OSCE field operations. In this view, the OSCE Programme Office in Astana in partnership with the Office of the OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, and the Law Enforcement Academy under the Prosecutor General’s Office of Kazakhstan organized a regional roundtable on combatting tech-facilitated trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation.

Sixty representatives of law enforcement structures, private tech companies, and civil society organizations from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, the Russian Federation, and Uzbekistan (16 women, 44 men) discussed the abuse of technology being used by human traffickers in Central Asia and across the OSCE region, specifically victims of sexual exploitation using online platforms.

Throughout the discussion, the panel presentations exposed a range of methods and technologies deployed by perpetrators and criminal networks to commit offenses throughout all trafficking stages.

The presentations also demonstrated good practices, policies, and legislation to combat trafficking in the region. The discussion concluded by highlighting the importance of and need for regional collaboration and information sharing among stakeholders.

The next steps include the production of a thematic report and the delivery of tailored recommendations in the Russian language for distribution at the national level. In addition, a needs assessment will determine the development of capacity-building training courses on enhancing cybercrime investigation strategies in March 2023 in Kazakhstan.