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Survey on Human Trafficking in Afghanistan Documents Abuse, Recommends Action

IOM today launched a field survey report on trafficking in persons
in Afghanistan. The findings will be shared with relevant Afghan
government ministries and other partners to develop effective
future counter-trafficking strategies.

The research provides an in-depth analysis of the trafficking
phenomenon in, from and to Afghanistan, based on first-hand data
collected mainly from expert interviews and a field survey
conducted in Kabul and nine border provinces.

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"border-style: none; background-image: none; vertical-align: top; width: 100%; background-color: rgb(51, 102, 204); text-align: left;">Download "border-style: none; background-image: none; vertical-align: top; width: 100%; background-color: rgb(153, 204, 255); text-align: left;">

"/jahia/webdav/shared/shared/mainsite/activities/countries/docs/afghanistan/iom_report_trafficking_afghanistan.pdf"
target="_blank" title=""> "background-color: rgb(153, 204, 255);">Trafficking in Persons in
Afghanistan - A Field Report

It represents the first attempt to interview a wide range of
victims and actors and is an important addition to an initial
report on human trafficking in Afghanistan published by IOM in
2004.


"We know that trafficking gravely affects Afghanistan from
anecdotal evidence and from cases which we have assisted, but
actual data and analysis has been very scarce until now," says
Nigina Mamadjonova, IOM Afghanistan's Counter-Trafficking Programme
Manager.

Among the factors making Afghan people extremely vulnerable to
human trafficking are more than two decades of conflict, the
subsequent loss of lives and livelihoods, prolonged economic
instability and deteriorating security.

The report discusses these push factors and the demographics of
trafficked victims, including age, gender, place of origin and
educational background, in comparison with smuggled migrants and
victims of kidnapping.

It also analyzes trafficking methods and destinations.
Recognizing that some elements of control and exploitation were
experienced by all victims of trafficking, regardless of their
nationality or gender, the patterns and extent of violence are also
closely examined.

The report also looks at the roles of key counter-trafficking
partners, particularly the Government of Afghanistan, in order to
recognize achievements and identify gaps in the areas of
prevention, law enforcement and protection of victims. It also
recommends short- to medium-term action to combat the problem.

The report is currently available in English and will soon be
made available in Dari and Pashto. Copies can be obtained from the
office of IOM Afghanistan or downloaded from the IOM website:

"/jahia/webdav/shared/shared/mainsite/activities/countries/docs/afghanistan/iom_report_trafficking_afghanistan.pdf"
target="_blank" title="">Link

For further information, please contact:

Nigina Mamadjonova

IOM Kabul

Tel: + 93 (0) 700 066041

E-mail: "mailto:nmamadjonova@iom.int">nmamadjonova@iom.int

or

Katsui Kaya

Tel: +93 (0) 700 18596

E-mail: "mailto:kkaya@iom.int">kkaya@iom.int