Baku - IOM Azerbaijan, within the framework of the "Action on Combating Human Trafficking" project implemented with the financial support of the USAID, organized on 4th of October 2022 a round table to discuss the implementation of the 4th National Action Plan on Combating Trafficking in Persons (4NAP-CT) 2020-2024 with the participation of representatives of state institutions, donors and local civil society organizations working in the field of combating human trafficking. The event served as a platform for progress reporting on the 4NAP-CT and planning of a future activity.

Representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the State Migration Service, the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population, the State Border Service, the State Committee on Woman, Family and Child Affairs, the Agency on State Support to Non-Governmental Organizations, the General Prosecutor’s Office, Bar Association, the State Security Service, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Science and Education, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Supreme Court, the Ministry of Justice, the UNRC office, civil society organizations shared their contributions into the implementation of the 4NAP-CT and proposed solutions for a more targeted approach to assist the victims of trafficking, their timely identification, and proper referral.

This approach ensured local stakeholders’ ownership and sustainability of the achievements. During the round table, the representatives of civil society organizations engaged into countering human trafficking reported on their activities and expressed their concerns and expectations. They emphasized the importance of effective cooperation with relevant state institutions and non-governmental organizations for achieving the best results in the implementation of the 4th National Action Plan on Combating Trafficking in Persons. One of the main focuses was put on victims’ sustainability through their engagement into vocational training.

The discussions also touched upon the investigation and prosecution of trafficking cases, protection of the victims of trafficking, particularly, health care and accommodation provision, tackling prevention of root causes of trafficking including the role of education and awareness-raising interventions. In the event donor community representatives’ participation, both current and potential ones were ensured.

The event opened with remarks delivered by Mr Vladimir Gjorgjiev, Chief of Mission for IOM Azerbaijan, Mr. Hazi Aslanov, Head of the Main Department on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and Mr. Michael Nehrbass, Azerbaijan Mission Director of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

In his opening speech, Mr. Gjorgjiev, Chief of Mission for IOM Azerbaijan, highlighted the importance of the event which provided an opportunity for representatives of relevant state bodies and local NGOs engaged in counter-trafficking efforts to share information with their national counterparts to effective contribution to the reintegration of the victims into the society, raising awareness on trafficking in persons and prosecution of the offenders.

“The implementation of the 4th National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking for 2020-2024 shows the commitment and dedication of Azerbaijan to fight against this crime,” noted Michael Nehrbass, USAID Mission director in Azerbaijan.

“In 2020-2021, 311 cases of human trafficking, 8 cases of forced labor, as well as 83 crimes related to illegal actions with documents for the purpose of human trafficking were registered,” said Hazi Aslanov the Head of Counter-trafficking Main Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. - "35 persons were involved as defendants in the criminal cases initiated for the crimes of human trafficking and forced labor. Out of 28 people indicted by the courts, 24 were sentenced to imprisonment, 2 were given conditional sentences, and the punishment of 2 people was postponed."

According to Hazi Aslanov, of the 189 identified victims of human trafficking (184 women, 5 men, including 2 children), 188 were citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and 1 was a foreigner. 179 of the victims were sexually exploited, and 10 were subjected to labor exploitation.

During the round table discussion, all participants noted that the dedicated work and efforts of the government, and its steady allies - NGOs and international organizations, positively contributed to moving Azerbaijan forward in reaching the TIER 2 as presented in the latest U.S. TIP Report. In addition, all participants expressed their commitment and dedication to work jointly in the country's anti-trafficking efforts, which they hope will enable Azerbaijan to become a TIER 1 country and a real model for anti-trafficking efforts in the future.

IOM Azerbaijan implements the USAID-funded Countering Trafficking in Persons programming since 2015, assisting the Government of Azerbaijan and civil society to further improve Azerbaijan's effectiveness in combating human trafficking and forced labor.