Uzbekistan further bolsters fight against human trafficking through OSCE official visit and training course

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Uzbek law enforcement and anti-trafficking officials further strengthened efforts to combat human trafficking during an official visit by OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings Kari Johnstone and a two-day training course focused on tackling technology-driven exploitation. The goal was to reinforce both strategic co-operation and frontline response toward ending human trafficking.

“Protecting victims and preventing trafficking requires both strong policies and well-equipped practitioners,” said Special Representative Johnstone. “Uzbekistan’s ongoing reforms provide a solid foundation, and targeted capacity-building, particularly on technology-facilitated trafficking, helps translate commitments into effective action on the ground.”

Held at the Law Enforcement Academy in Tashkent from 12 to 13 February 2026, the training brought together participants from multiple local law enforcement agencies. Among them were the Law Enforcement Academy, the Office of the Prosecutor General, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Digital Technologies, the Child’s Rights Ombudsperson, and the State Labour Inspection. Building on the OSCE’s model training curriculum for investigating technology-facilitated trafficking in human beings, the curriculum is designed to provide participants with advanced skills in identifying, investigating, and preventing online recruitment, exploitation, and control methods that are increasingly used to target at-risk populations, such as online recruitment schemes and misusing social media messaging apps, and artificial intelligence.

“This training equips law enforcement not only with concrete skills in proactive online investigations, open-source intelligence, and a victim-centered approach, but also guides the police training institutions to adapt their teaching methods to address technology-facilitated trafficking,” said Special Representative Johnstone. 

Participants gained an in-depth understanding of technology-facilitated human trafficking investigations, including skills to integrate investigative techniques, case-based learning, and victim-centered approaches into their teaching. They also learned how to deliver these modules to both in-service officers and law enforcement cadets to create a multiplier effect that will strengthen law enforcement’s ability to identify online recruitment tactics, investigate digital exploitation, and prevent traffickers’ control mechanisms in virtual spaces.

“The OSCE is commited to continuing its support to Uzbekistan’s comprehensive approach to combating human trafficking,” said Ambassador Antti Karttunen, OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan. “By investing in advanced training for law enforcement and integrating modern investigative tools, Uzbekistan is strengthening its ability to prevent trafficking in human beings, protect victims, and respond effectively to evolving trafficking methods – especially those increasingly linked to digital technologies.” 

Complementing the training, Special Representative Johnstone’s visit also featured meetings with several high-level anti-trafficking stakeholders, including the Chairperson of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis (Parliament), who heads the national Commission on Combating Human Trafficking and Decent Work, and representatives from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Supreme Court, the Child’s Rights Parliamentary Ombudsperson, the Ministry of Employment and Poverty Reduction, and the Ministry of Digital Technologies.

Special Representative Johnstone highlighted Uzbekistan’s promising practices in anti-trafficking and discussed ways forward. She expressed direct support for the country’s efforts, including recent law reforms, such as amendments to the Criminal Code that increase punishments for human trafficking and new legislation protecting Children from All Forms of Violence.