U.S. Department of State 2007 Trafficking in Persons Report - Kyrgyz Republic

Kyrgyz Republic (Tier 2)

The Kyrgyz Republic is a source, transit, and destination country for men and women from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, South Asian countries, and from within the Kyrgyz Republic, trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation. Men and women are trafficked to Kazakhstan for forced labor in the agricultural sector and as domestic servants, to Russia for forced work in construction, and to the People's Republic of China (P. R. C. ) for bonded labor. Kyrgyz and foreign women are trafficked to the United Arab Emirates, P. R. C. , Kazakhstan, South Korea, Turkey, Greece, Cyprus, Thailand, Germany, and Syria for sexual exploitation.

The Government of the Kyrgyz Republic does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so. Concerns remained that corruption among law enforcement and judicial bodies protected traffickers from punishment. In September 2006, the president signed a witness protection law that is expected to increase victims' incentives to testify against their traffickers. The government should increase the amount of trafficking sensitivity training provided to police, prosecutors, and judges; improve methods for consulates and domestic law enforcement centers to verify citizenship of Kyrgyz nationals to ensure the fast repatriation of Kyrgyz victims trafficked abroad; and increase cooperation with key destination countries in order to provide adequate treatment of identified Kyrgyz victims. The government should also make efforts to improve its statistics and data collection system.

Prosecution

The Kyrgyz government demonstrated limited law enforcement efforts during the reporting period. A 2005 law on Prevention and Combating Trafficking in Persons criminalizes both sexual exploitation and forced labor; prescribed penalties range from three to 20 years' imprisonment, which are sufficiently stringent and commensurate with prescribed penalties for other grave crimes, such as rape. In 2006, the government conducted 39 investigations, up from 24 in 2005. The government provided no data on trafficking prosecutions and convictions or the sentences given to convicted traffickers in 2006.

Protection

The government again demonstrated limited progress in its victim assistance efforts during the reporting period. The government continued to provide space for three shelters run by anti-trafficking NGOs, although it provided no direct funding for services and medical assistance. Law enforcement continued to increase victim referrals to IOM and NGOs in 2006. While Kyrgyz consulates assisted 56 Kyrgyz victims trafficked abroad with identification and travel documents, limited resources and infrastructure often unnecessarily prolonged the repatriation process. Victims are encouraged to participate in trafficking investigations and prosecutions. The government amended its law in 2006 to ensure that victims who cooperate with law enforcement are not penalized. Law enforcement officials in several regions of the country received NGO training on the proper treatment of victims.

Prevention

Kyrgyzstan demonstrated limited progress in its trafficking prevention efforts. In April 2006, the government provided space in a government buildings for seven regional offices of the "189" hotline, an information source for Kyrgyz citizens to determine the legitimacy of job offers from abroad. State-controlled television and print media showcased trafficking issues throughout the reporting period. The government displayed NGO-produced posters in public spaces, including local bus and transportation centers.