Baku - On 27 July -4 August 2022, IOM Azerbaijan organized a study visit to the cities of Tashkent and Bukhara with the participation of representatives of various state institutions and non-governmental organizations with the aim of learning the experience of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the field of combating human trafficking. The visit took place within the framework of the “Combatting Trafficking in Persons Activity” Project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) aiming to assist the Government of Azerbaijan to improve further effectiveness in preventing and combating human trafficking. The delegation of nine participants included representatives of the Counter-Trafficking Main Department of Ministry of Internal Affairs, Social Services Agency under the Ministry of Labor and Social, State Migration Service as well as representatives of non-governmental organizations operating in the field of human trafficking namely, chairs of TAMAS Public Union, Clean World Public Union, Azerbaijan Children Public Union and Women’s Initiative and Assistance to the Solutions to Social Problems Public Union.

Durin the study tour the delegation paid visit to the IOM Uzbekistan office, the National Human Rights Centre of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Sub-commission on Countering Human Trafficking of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the National Rehabilitation Center for Victims of Human Trafficking, the "Welcome to Employment" Monocenter, the Republican Social Information Center "Istiqbolli Avlod" and the UNICEF Uzbekistan office as well as to the non-governmental organizations operating in the field of combating human trafficking, namely "Barqaror Hayot", "Nihol", "Oydin Nur".

During the discussions with counterparts, participants made comparisons between the modalities used in both countries and discussed possible collaboration and joint activities. The Azerbaijani delegation had the opportunity to analyze the important aspects of issues related to the identification and referral of VoTs and reflect upon their own legislative reform, as well as issues and challenges around implementation. It is expected that the experience gained during the study visit will be useful in the future work of government institutions and non-governmental organizations operating in the field of combatting human trafficking in the Republic of Azerbaijan.

USAID’s Countering Trafficking in Persons Activity, implemented by IOM, assists the Government of Azerbaijan and NGOs to further improve Azerbaijan's effectiveness in preventing and combating trafficking in persons and forced labor as well as addressing gender-based violence. This includes technical and financial support to civil society organizations operating shelters that assist potential and actual victims of trafficking and forced labor.