“Panorama Shymkenta”, 21/03/2008
R. Yunusova

   Public Association the Legal Center for Women’s Initiatives “Sana Sezim” carried out a project under this name from March 15, 2006 to March 15, 2008.
   This project was carried out in response to the recent momentum of the illegal export of people from South Kazakhstan, which is now the largest illegal business. It is the result of people of working age (18-45 years) trying to secure work abroad.
   The majority of the population lacks access to information, knowledge, and experience which leads some to becoming victims of human trafficking. The proximity of Uzbekistan and the South Kazakhstan borders has also contributed to the spread of the slave trade in the region. There are many illegal migrant workers, some of which who later become victims of human trafficking.
   The South Kazakhstan Region is a transport center of the illegal shipments of “live goods”. Statistics show that the majority of those who wish to temporarily migrate abroad for work are from 18 to 35 years of age and are of both sexes. There is a particular danger for girls to become victims of sexual slavery.
   The aim of this project was to inform and attract public attention to the progression of human trafficking in Kazakhstan. The target group was women and children form 13 to 45 years old, who are vulnerable to sexual slavery.
   During the project, from March 15, 2006 to March 15, 2008, the telephone hotline received 3,023 calls (1,459 from men and 1,564 from women) where people received treatment. The analysis of these calls show that the people most vulnerable to becoming victims of human trafficking are women between the ages of 21 and 40 years.
   With the assistance of the staff of “Sana Sezim” five people returned to their home. During this period there were also 1,088 legal and 1,008 psychological consultations. 15 victims of trafficking and fraud were provided assistance, as well as 43 people who have close relatives of victims of trafficking or are about to travel abroad. 46 training seminars were held at schools, universities, and for graduates of orphanages in the South Kazakhstan Region, as well as two seminars for the staff of the migration police and the Department for Combatting Organized Crime.
   12,000 booklets entitled “You are not a good” and 1,000 brochures entitled “Principles of personal safety” were distributed.
   The implementation of the project was possible with the cooperation with the Migration police and the Department to fight terrorism, religious extremis, and human trafficking.