Human Trafficking in [Tajikistan] [other countries]
Street Children in [Tajikistan] [other countries]
Child Prostitution in [Tajikistan] [other countries]
 

Child Prostitution

The Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children

Republic of Tajikistan [ Country-by-Country Reports ]

The Republic of Tajikistan [map] is bordered by China (E), Afghanistan (S), Kyrgyzstan (N), and Uzbekistan (W & NW). Dushanbe is its capital and largest city. Tajikistan is the poorest country in the CEE/CIS and Baltic region. Access to and the quality of basic services such as health and education and access to safe drinking water are a problem. The impact of poverty is significant and the condition of women and children remains precarious within the context of widespread social vulnerability.

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National Plan of Action

Bur of Democracy, Human Rights & Labor - Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2004

TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS - On November 4, 2004, a Dushanbe court sentenced a woman to 14 years imprisonment after convicting her of trafficking her adopted daughter. It was the country's first verdict under its new anti trafficking law. Also in November, authorities began an investigation into allegations made by a credible local humanitarian and anti-trafficking NGO that there may be a trend of young boys being abducted or sold for sexual exploitation to the Gulf States, Afghanistan, and South Asia. In May, the Government created a special division within the MOI for combating kidnapping, trafficking in persons, and racketeering. The division reported that there were at least 12 criminal rings in the country involved in trafficking young girls to Gulf countries.

Concluding Observations of the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) - 2000

[50] The Committee is concerned at the increase in the prostitution and trafficking of children and women and the absence of an effective, comprehensive and integrated approach to prevent and combat these phenomena. The Committee is also concerned at the insufficient data and awareness of the phenomena of commercial sexual exploitation of children in Tajikistan.

Report by Special Rapporteur [DOC]

[71] The sale and trafficking of children are criminal offences, and criminal proceedings were instituted against three individuals in 2002.  Criminal liability is incurred by individuals over the age of 18 for the involvement of juveniles in the performance of anti-social actions, particularly prostitution or other acts of a sexual nature, or acts relating to the preparation of pornographic materials.  Criminal charges were brought against two individuals for their involvement in prostitution in 2002.  The children involved do not incur criminal liability, and a number of regulations cover the procedure for pre-trial investigations in cases involving children, including the mandatory presence of an educational specialist when witnesses under 14 are being questioned, and discretionary presence when the children are between 14 and 16.

Woman Jailed for Forcing Child into Sex Trade

A non-governmental organization said there was a growing trend in the abduction and sale of Tajik boys for sexual exploitation abroad. The Modar organization said groups in the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Pakistan and other countries were prepared to pay as much as $70,000 for a Tajik boy between the ages of 10 and 12.

Human Rights Overview

HUMAN TRAFFICKING - Human trafficking is a significant problem in Tajikistan. According to the International Organization for Migration, Tajikistan is a major country of origin for trafficked women and children. Tajik authorities have undertaken some positive steps to curb trafficking, including the creation of new anti-trafficking department in the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Sexual Exploitation of Minors: Problems and Solutions

The lack of law enforcement was identified as a major problem in the fight against child prostitution by journalists, Central Asian officials and NGOs at a January 24 round table discussion on IWPR’s “Lost Children” report. Khudoynazar Asoev, the head of the Tajik interior ministry’s press centre, told delegates, “We have specific data about organized crime related to sexual exploitation of minors but because our legislation is incomplete we are unable to fight this type of crime.”

Lost Children of Central Asia [DOC]

In Tajikistan –the poorest country in a poor region – prostitution again takes both visible and hidden forms. In the capital Dushanbe, underage girls ply their trade at the bustling city markets, where ready cash is always changing hands. A city police officer, who asked to remain anonymous, told IWPR how market traders pay with goods worth five or six somoni – about two dollars – for sex with the girls. “It suits them to use underage prostitutes, since they get the least trouble with them. Usually they do the business in public toilets, on building sites or in abandoned buildings,” said the police officer.

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Human Trafficking in [Tajikistan] [other countries]
Street Children in [Tajikistan] [other countries]
Child Prostitution in [Tajikistan] [other countries]