Measures to combat trafficking in Azerbaijan inadequate - State Department

Azerbaijan is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking. Azerbaijani men and boys have been subjected to forced labor in Turkey, Russia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Azerbaijan. Women and children from Azerbaijan have been subjected to sex trafficking within the country and in Turkey, Russia, and the UAE. Azerbaijan is a destination country for sex and labor trafficking victims from China, Russia, Turkey, and Uzbekistan. Some migrant workers from Turkey and other countries in Europe and South and Central Asia are subjected to forced labor in Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan was used as a transit country for victims of sex and labor trafficking from Central Asia to the UAE, Turkey, and Iran in previous years. Within the country, some children, particularly those of Romani descent, are subjected to forced begging and forced labor as roadside vendors and at tea houses and wedding facilities. Filipina victims subjected to domestic servitude in Azerbaijan is an emerging problem. In 2014, one police officer was implicated in a trafficking case.

The Government of Azerbaijan does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so. During the reporting period, the government increased the number of trafficking investigations and convictions, enacted a new national action plan, and introduced new legislation to provide reintegration assistance to vulnerable populations, especially children released from correctional facilities, orphanages, and state-run boarding schools. During the reporting period the government identified three foreign labor trafficking victims, but did not identify any Azerbaijanis subjected to trafficking within the country. The government failed to provide adequate and consistent financial support to NGO partners that provide rehabilitation and reintegration services to victims. Pervasive corruption limited the effectiveness of anti-trafficking regulations and mechanisms.

Vigorously investigate and prosecute government officials allegedly complicit in human trafficking, and sentence convicted offenders with dissuasive penalties; strengthen efforts to identify foreign and domestic victims of labor trafficking by law enforcement within the country by creating standard operating procedures; increase law enforcement efforts against traffickers, including individuals or companies that subject migrant workers to forced labor, and increase the number of convicted offenders sentenced to time in prison; improve communication among government agencies, including about victim referrals and potential cases; formalize the role of NGOs and other stakeholders in the National Referral Mechanism; increase funding to victim service providers and expand the network of providers outside Baku; provide safe accommodation for victims who choose not to cooperate with law enforcement; provide sensitivity training to law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and the judiciary, including on how to work with trafficking victims who have experienced psychological trauma; strengthen the capacity of the State Migration Service to identify and refer foreign trafficking victims; and target public awareness campaigns to foreign migrant workers, describing indicators of human trafficking and avenues to seek help.

In 2014, the government certified 50 women and one girl as sex trafficking victims and three men as labor trafficking victims, compared with 40 sex trafficking victims and 16 labor trafficking victims in 2013. Of the 54 victims certified, 35 women and three men were referred to the MIA-run shelter, where they received legal, medical, and psychological support. The government provided 53 victims with a one-time allowance of 400 manat ($380), 24 victims with jobs, and 35 victims with vocational training.

Victims were given a lump sum of 400 manat, then a part of them to the state Center for additional assistance to the victims of social services. It was reported to allocate 314 330 manat ($ 298 500) to assist the victims in 2014. However, the government has not provided any funds to support NGOs that provide assistance to victims, providing them with shelter. Also, the question of rehabilitation of persons who have served their sentence, providing them with housing and job security are not solved, the report said. -02D-