Photo by the press service of the President of Uzbekistan
The government of Uzbekistan has approved measures to introduce a system of social services for victims of human trafficking, Norma.uz reports.
Under resolution No. 539, a Republican Rehabilitation Center for Assistance to Victims of Human Trafficking will operate under the National Agency of Social Protection. Social services are available for one month after a person is recognized as a presumed victim of human trafficking, and for one year after official recognition as a victim.
Assistance is open to citizens of Uzbekistan, including those without identity documents, as well as foreigners and stateless persons.
People can apply at «Inson» («Human») centers and specialized institutions, through a social worker at their place of residence, or by calling the National Agency of Social Protection hotline at 1146. If necessary, and with the applicant's consent, the information will be forwarded to the internal affairs bodies or emergency medical services.
Within one day, «Inson» staff will assess the socio-economic situation of the victim and their family members using the «Unified National Social Protection» information system. Depending on their needs, applicants will receive emergency medical, psychological and legal assistance, as well as help with processing or restoring documents, vocational training and employment. If «Inson» cannot provide a required service, its staff will help the applicant obtain it from another organization.
By November 1, the National Agency of Social Protection and the Ministries of Digital Technologies and Internal Affairs must upgrade the «Unified National Social Protection» system and, if necessary, integrate it with other state information systems. The Ministry of Internal Affairs will provide ongoing support to victims of human trafficking once they arrive at specialized institutions.
It was reported earlier that the Republican Center for Rehabilitation and Adaptation of Women will be renamed the Republican Center for Rehabilitation of Women and Children. These institutions, located in Karakalpakstan and the Kashkadarya, Samarkand and Fergana regions, will admit women affected by human trafficking and their minor children, and additional places will be created for them.
Officials from the relevant agencies have also proposed establishing separate criminal liability for child trafficking and barring those convicted of such crimes from working in the labor and external migration sectors.
