OSCE Special Representative visits Kyrgyzstan, commends anti-trafficking legal framework and urges more prosecutions
BISHKEK, 17 February 2023 – Valiant Richey, OSCE Special Representative for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, concluded his three-day visit to Kyrgyzstan today. He highlighted the country’s comprehensive legal and policy framework including a dedicated anti-trafficking law, regional coordination councils and a National Rapporteur established under the Parliament. He also called for the proactive identification of victims, increased prosecutions of trafficking offenders and improvement of the mandate of labour inspectors to identify human trafficking.
During his visit, Richey met with the Deputy Speaker of the Kyrgyz Parliament, and high-level anti-trafficking stakeholders, including the Minister of Labour, Social Services and Migration, the Deputy Minister of Interior, and representatives of the General Prosecution Office, and the Supreme Court. Richey also consulted with anti-trafficking NGOs providing victim assistance and met with bilateral organizations in Bishkek.
Richey urged stepping up measures to proactively identify trafficking victims, including on online platforms and through labour inspections, and ramping up criminal justice responses to end impunity for traffickers.
“The Kyrgyz Republic’s legal and policy framework is a positive example of a comprehensive approach to preventing and combating trafficking in human beings, but its inadequate implementation is an urgent challenge for the country,” the Special Representative stressed. “It is crucial that the government turns the tide to counter impunity, including by empowering labour inspectors to identify victims and perpetrators.”
The Special Representative also noted other good practices, including the recent establishment of the National Anti-trafficking Rapporteur under the Migration Council of the Parliament, the active role of the Association of Women Judges to improve judicial practices on human trafficking cases, and strong anti-trafficking efforts by civil society across the country.
The Special Representative conducts multiple country visits each year to help increase the capacity of OSCE participating States to address human trafficking, share recommendations for further action, and collect best practices for fighting this heinous crime. A report detailing the findings of his visit will be released during the last quarter of 2023.