US Department of State positively assesses Uzbekistan’s efforts to eradicate human trafficking

Earlier during 2018-2020, Uzbekistan was in the second group of countries under special surveillance (Tier 2 Watch List).

The report says that “Uzbekistan is making significant efforts to eradicate human trafficking. The government made key achievements during the reporting period, given the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its ability to combat human trafficking; therefore, Uzbekistan has been moved to the Tier 2 Watch List”.
 
The report notes changes in legislation, in particular, the adoption of a new law on combating trafficking in persons, amendments to the Criminal Code to strengthen responsibility for child labor, and improvement of law enforcement practice to identify crimes in this area. The work on the protection and reintegration of women and children trapped in the armed conflict zones in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as the measures taken to provide social protection and employment for labor migrants in the context of a pandemic, were also noted. 

The report noted positively cooperation with civil society institutions and international organizations, including a significant reduction in the use of forced labor in the annual cotton harvest.

Additional achievements highlighted in the report include the work of the High-Level National Commission on Action against Trafficking in Persons and Forced Labor, and the establishment of a national mechanism for the identification and referral of victims of trafficking. 

In addition to analyzing the situation, the report provides key recommendations for Uzbekistan’s transition to the next category in accordance with the application of US legislation (Trafficking Victims Protection Act TVPA).

In the report, the Department of State divides countries into three categories. Tier 1 List includes countries that fully comply with the TVPA requirements, and Tier 2 List includes countries that are trying to comply with these conditions. Also in the second group there is a list of countries in respect of which special monitoring is carried out (Tier 2 Watch List). This category includes countries where the authorities do not fully comply with the minimum TVPA standards, but take significant steps to comply with them.
Tier 3 List includes countries that do not meet the minimum TVPA standards and the authorities of these countries do not make significant efforts to change the situation.