Uzbekistan Expands Support for Human Trafficking Victims

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has signed a decree introducing additional measures to fundamentally improve the system for identifying victims of human trafficking and supporting their integration into society. The document expands mechanisms for identifying victims, enhances assistance services and strengthens social protection measures.

Under the decree, Inson centres, specialised institutions of the National Agency for Social Protection that provide services to victims of human trafficking, and non-governmental non-profit organisations have been granted the authority to conduct the preliminary identification of individuals who may be victims of human trafficking.

Following the preliminary assessment, an individual may be granted the status of a presumed victim of human trafficking for up to one month.

After the final identification process, a person officially recognised as a victim of human trafficking may receive that status for a period of up to one year. Territorial commissions on combating human trafficking and promoting decent work must complete the final identification process within 10 days.

From 1 September 2026, the National Agency for Social Protection will begin accepting calls from victims of human trafficking through its 1146 hotline. Specialists will provide advice and information on social, psychological, legal and other issues.

Hotlines will also be established at Uzbekistan's diplomatic missions and consular offices abroad to receive reports of human trafficking and provide advisory assistance to citizens.

The decree also provides for the establishment of migration consultation offices at Islam Karimov Tashkent International Airport and Samarkand International Airport using artificial intelligence technologies. The offices will be financed by the Migration Fund.

The decree also defines the procedure for providing social services to victims. Men, foreign nationals and repatriates returned to Uzbekistan under special programmes will be admitted to the National Rehabilitation Centre for Assistance to Victims of Human Trafficking. The centre will coordinate the activities of specialised regional centres.

Individuals granted presumed victim status will be eligible to receive services from specialised centres for up to one month, while those officially recognised as victims may receive services for up to six months. Applications for assistance may be submitted within one month of receiving presumed victim status and within one year of obtaining official victim status. Repeat admission to specialised centres based on the same case of preliminary identification will not be permitted.

The decree also provides for reimbursement of travel expenses to and from specialised centres through the Sakhovat va Kumak Fund. The compensation will amount to one basic calculation unit for travel to the National Rehabilitation Centre and half of a basic calculation unit for travel to specialised regional centres.