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Human Trafficking & Modern-day Slavery

Poverty drives the unsuspecting poor into the hands of traffickers

Published reports & articles from 2000 to 2025                                 gvnet.com/humantrafficking/Azerbaijan.htm

Republic of Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan shares all the formidable problems of the former Soviet republics in making the transition from a command to a market economy, but its considerable energy resources brighten its medium-term prospects. Baku has only recently begun making progress on economic reform, and old economic ties and structures are slowly being replaced.

Long-term prospects will depend on world oil prices, the location of new oil and gas pipelines in the region, and Azerbaijan's ability to manage its energy wealth to promote sustainable growth in non-energy sectors of the economy and spur employment.  [The World Factbook, U.S.C.I.A. 2009]

Description: Description: Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan is a source, transit, and limited destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor. Women and children from Azerbaijan are trafficked to Turkey and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation. Men and boys are trafficked to Russia for the purpose of forced labor. Men and women are also trafficked to Iran, Pakistan, and the UAE for purposes of sexual exploitation and forced labor. Some men are trafficked within Azerbaijan for the purpose of forced labor and women and children are trafficked internally for forced prostitution and forced labor, including forced begging.   - U.S. State Dept Trafficking in Persons Report, June, 2009   Check out the more recent 2020 country report here or an even-more recent TIP Report here

 

 

CAUTION:  The following links have been culled from the web to illuminate the situation in Azerbaijan.  Some of these links may lead to websites that present allegations that are unsubstantiated or even false.  No attempt has been made to validate their authenticity or to verify their content.

HOW TO USE THIS WEB-PAGE

Students

If you are looking for material to use in a term-paper, you are advised to scan the postings on this page and others to see which aspects of Human Trafficking are of particular interest to you.  Would you like to write about Forced-Labor?  Debt Bondage? Prostitution? Forced Begging? Child Soldiers? Sale of Organs? etc.  On the other hand, you might choose to include possible precursors of trafficking such as poverty. There is a lot to the subject of Trafficking.  Scan other countries as well.  Draw comparisons between activity in adjacent countries and/or regions.  Meanwhile, check out some of the Term-Paper resources that are available on-line

Teachers

Check out some of the Resources for Teachers attached to this website.

HELP for Victims

 

International Organization for Migration
12 465 90 71
Country code: 994

 

*** FEATURED ARTICLE ***

Azeri Trafficking Victims Face Social Rejection

Sabina Vaqifqizi - Caucasus, CRS Issue 463, 10 Oct 08

iwpr.net/report-news/azeri-trafficking-victims-face-social-rejection

[accessed 20 January 2011]

Esmira fell prey to human traffickers after she confronted a group who had lured one of her sisters.  Her sister had been tricked into an unregistered marriage with one of the traffickers, who had abandoned her when she became pregnant.  “When [my sister] returned, she was afraid to say what had happened to her. I found those who deceived her, but became their prey as well,” said Esmira.

She told IWPR that when she tackled the traffickers over the treatment of her sister, they forced her to go to Turkey. Her third sister also fell into the hands of traffickers and is still missing, she said.  In Turkey, Esmira was forced to work as a prostitute with other abducted girls and was tortured. She still remembers everything, even though three years have passed.   “They push for what they want. If you do not obey, they torture you by beating you. They force you to do humiliating things. They didn’t pay us anything for the work we did,” she said.

Esmira said she managed to escape with the help of Turkish police.  “One of the workers knew a police officer. He reported the traffickers. They came to the place we stayed in wearing plain clothes and pretending to be customers. The traffickers were arrested right on the spot,” she said.

Azerbaijan probes child-organ traffickers

BBC News, 23 February, 2004

news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3513439.stm

[accessed 20 January 2011]

The Azerbaijani government says it is keen to crack down on child traffickers who are believed to take children abroad and sell their organs for profit.

"Under the guise of adoption, children who are allegedly afflicted by grave diseases are taken out of Azerbaijan, ostensibly for treatment," Mr Abbasov told the country's ANS television.   "In the course of our investigations, it has come to light that these children are used for organ transplants, but we have no hard evidence," he said.

 

*** ARCHIVES ***

HOTLINES for trafficking victims and shelter - 152  and  562-21-12.

2020 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Azerbaijan

U.S. Dept of State Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, 30 March 2021

www.state.gov/reports/2020-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/azerbaijan/

[accessed 10 May 2021]

PROHIBITION OF FORCED OR COMPULSORY LABOR

Foreign observers made several visits to various regions of the country to observe the 2019 cotton harvest, including the Sabirabad, Saatli, Imishli, Beylagan, Agjabadi, Barda, and other districts located between Baku and the city of Ganja. No cases of forced labor were observed during the harvest.

PROHIBITION OF CHILD LABOR AND MINIMUM AGE FOR EMPLOYMENT

There is no legal employment of children younger than age 15 in the country, and authorities reported no instances of investigated child labor in legal sectors of the economy. There were reports of children engaging in child labor, including commercial sexual exploitation, forced begging, and agriculture. During visits to observe the 2019 cotton harvest, foreign observers did not note any instances of child labor. Some nongovernmental observers, however, reported instances of rural children younger than 15 sometimes working on the family farm or accompanying parents working as day laborers to agricultural fields.

Freedom House Country Report

2020 Edition

freedomhouse.org/country/azerbaijan/freedom-world/2020

[accessed 19 March 2020]

G4. DO INDIVIDUALS ENJOY EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY AND FREEDOM FROM ECONOMIC EXPLOITATION?

Legal safeguards against exploitative working conditions are poorly enforced, and many employers reportedly ignore them without penalty. The government has taken some steps to combat forced labor and sex trafficking, including by prosecuting traffickers and providing services to victims, but the problem persists, notably among Romany children and foreign household workers.

As a result of corruption and a lack of public accountability for the allocation of resources, the state’s oil and gas revenues tend to benefit privilege elites rather than the general population, narrowing access to economic opportunity.

2017 Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor

Office of Child Labor, Forced Labor, and Human Trafficking, Bureau of International Labor Affairs, US Dept of Labor, 2018

www.dol.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ilab/ChildLaborReport_Book.pdf

[accessed 15 April 2019]

www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ILAB/child_labor_reports/tda2017/ChildLaborReportBook.pdf

[accessed 23 April 2020]

Note:: Also check out this country’s report in the more recent edition DOL Worst Forms of Child Labor

[page 126]

Although the government has implemented programs to address child trafficking, research found little evidence to indicate it has carried out programs to assist children working in agriculture or on the streets.

NGO-run shelters that are tasked by the NAP with providing victim services do not receive consistent funding from the government. Directors of these shelters note that the unpredictable nature of funding prevents long-term planning and capacity building of shelters. (40; 28; 29) Child victims have limited access to facilities that offer specialized care. (29) One shelter that provides such services does not receive consistent government funding, and most of its staff worked on a voluntary basis due to the lack of government funding and an inability to receive foreign assistance caused by the government’s restrictions on NGOs over the last three years. (40; 29).

In 1st half of 2008 Azerbaijan revealed 244 facts of human trafficking

Baku, Fineko, ABC.AZ, July 28, 2008

abc.az/cgi-bin/wnews_one.cgi?nid=26250&lang=eng

[accessed 20 January 2011]

www.antitraf.net/home.php?mode=more&id=123&lang=en

[accessed 16 January 2018]

Deputy minister for internal affairs Vilayat Eyvaov said that for the past six months the country registered 244 facts of trafficking that exceeds the figure for 2007 relevant period by 106 cases.

84 criminals engaged in human trafficking held accountable in January –March in Azerbaijan

Baku. Mahbuba Gasimbayli - Azeri-Press Agency APA, 21 Apr 2008

en.apa.az/news.php?id=47455

[accessed 20 January 2011]

Human trafficking has been increased by 2.4 times in comparison with last year.

84 criminals engaged in human trafficking have been held accountable by now. Such crimes against women have been increased by 5.1 times and half of criminals were women.

Victims of Human Trafficking to Receive Compensation in Azerbaijan

K.Zarbaliyeva, Trend News Agency, Baku, 11.12.2007

en.trend.az/news/society/rights/1093087.html

[accessed 23 April 2020]

The victims of human trafficking will receive compensation in Azerbaijan, said Azerbaijan’s Deputy Interior Minister, Vilayat Eyvazov, at the press-conference on 11 December.

He added that a Refuge Center was established in Baku and next year, four such centers will be established in the regions. The victims of human trafficking will pass 15 days rehabilitation (if necessary 30 days) here. These periods for children have been determined depending on the heaviness of the case.

Officials May Sponsor among Human Trafficking – Azerbaijani Deputy Internal Minister

Trend News Agency, December 12, 2007

– Source: news.trendaz.com/index.shtml?show=news&newsid=1092735&lang=EN

en.trend.az/news/society/1092735.html

[accessed 23 July 2013]

Most human trafficking victims were women aged 18 to 40 years old. The women are brought over from Middle Asia, Russia, Ukraine and Moldova to Azerbaijan and then transported to other countries.

In 2006 and 2007 there have not been any juveniles amongst the human trafficking victims, Eyvazov said. There were no juvenile trafficking cases in 2004 and one was registered in 2005.

Azerbaijan’s National Coordinator to Combat Human Trafficking Reported before Parliamentarians

I. Alizade, Trend News Agency, Baku, 19.10.2007

en.trend.az/news/official/parliament/1049500.html

[accessed 20 January 2011]

As a result of preventive and operative measures in Azerbaijan in 2004-2006, some 689 human trafficking incidents have been discovered and 695 people have been held criminally responsible, the National Coordinator to Combat Human Trafficking, Deputy Interior Minister, Vilayat Eyvazov, stated on 19 October at the Parliament while presenting his annual report

Number Of Human Trafficking Cases Increased In Azerbaijan

P.Aliyeva, Trend News Agency, Lankaran, 19.09.2007

en.trend.az/news/society/1012702.html

[accessed 20 January 2011]

Some 211 crimes linked with human trafficking were registered in Azerbaijan in 2006. Criminal proceedings were instituted against 107 people.

Within the first six months in 2006, 187 crimes were registered, forty-four on human trafficking, 116 on brothels, and twenty-two for luring people into prostitution.

So far for 2007, criminal cases were filed against 112 people, with seventy-two of them connected to human trafficking.

Network of Lawyers Established to Combat Human Trafficking in Azerbaijan

S.Ilhamgizi, Trend News Agency, Baku, 19.09.2007

en.trend.az/news/society/985891.html

[accessed 20 January 2011]

A network of lawyers has been established to combat human trafficking in Azerbaijan, Nazir Guliyev, heading the Juridical Assistance Fund of ‘World of Peace’, said on 29 August.  The aim of the network is to inform the public about the problems of human trafficking and to render assistance to its victims. Thirty-three lawyers will work within the network.  A lack of awareness is the main cause contributing to human trafficking. Youths are the most victims of human trafficking.

Trafficking – Serious Problem for Azerbaijan

R. Ibragimkhalilova, Press Review, 13.01.2007

At one time this article had been archived and may possibly still be accessible [here]

[accessed 3 September 2011]

Victim of human trafficking told how she found herself within the net of criminal elements - Rafiga understood that she was deceived. But as her neighbor had her passport she tried to persuade “mama Rosa” to give back her document. However, woman told that Rafiga is her debtor as her marriage and ticket purchase were very expensive. “I will return your passport when you work a debt out, and you will be free”, “mama Rosa told”.

Hotline will be opened for victims of human trafficking   [ Hotline number 152 ]

Today.Az, 08 July 2006

www.today.az/view.php?id=27983

[accessed 20 January 2011]

In nearest future hot line will be opened for victims of human trafficking In Baku, at present talks continue with the government related to this matter.

With the support of the United States Embassy and OSCE, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) conducted training for the future staff of a hotline and shelter for trafficked victims.

In Baku, for the trafficking victims there was allocated separate building

Azeri-Press Agency APA, 2006-05-08

www.ginsc.net/main.php?option=view_article&mode=0&article=1138&lang=ge

[accessed 20 January 2011]

In compliance with the instruction of the Cabinet in Baku there was allocated three-floor building for arrangement of the asylum with the purpose of ensuring safety of the victims and proposed victims and also eye-witnesses of trafficking and deliver psychological, medical and legal assistance to them.

Russian Crime Boss Arrested On Sex Trafficking

Anthony M. DeStefano, NY Newsday, March 18, 2005

-- Source: www.nynewsday.com/news/local/crime/nyc-rus0319,0,7146811.story?coll=nyc-manheadlines-crime

www.genderberg.com/phpNuke/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=110

[accessed 3 September 2011]

A reputed crime boss from the former Soviet Union has been arrested on charges he ran a brutal sex trafficking ring in Brooklyn, NY.  Asker Mammedov, 31, was accused of importing women from Azerbaijan and forcing them to work for little or no pay as prostitutes.

The Protection Project - Azerbaijan

The Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), The Johns Hopkins University

www.protectionproject.org/human_rights_reports/report_documents/azerbaijan.doc

[accessed 2009]

www.protectionproject.org/country-reports/

[accessed 22 February 2016]

FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO THE TRAFFICKING INFRASTRUCTURE - Poor social and economic conditions for women and children make them vulnerable to trafficking. Women’s lower social status and lack of decently paid work opportunities compel them to seek employment outside of Azerbaijan.  Furthermore, with the collapse of the Soviet Union, the social welfare system ceased to function effectively in Azerbaijan, thereby forcing many children onto the streets, where they are vulnerable to exploitation. - htsccp

Azerbaijan Human Rights Report

NetCent Communications -- Data Source: US Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs

www.ncbuy.com/reference/country/humanrights.html?code=aj&sec=6f

[accessed 20 January 2011]

Traffickers identified by the IOM were either foreigners or ethnic Azerbaijanis who acted in loose international networks, probably without central coordination. Victims were approached directly and indirectly through friends and relatives. Traffickers also used newspaper advertisements offering false work abroad. According to the Society for the Defense of Women's Rights, draft-age men seeking to escape military service in 2000 were invited by local traffickers to work in the hotel industry in Turkey, but ended up in male brothels; however, the IOM was not aware of such reports. Another NGO reported that families of young women had been approached by individuals claiming that visiting Iranian businessmen had seen their daughters and wished to marry them. Following parental permission for such marriages, the women were transported to Iran to work as prostitutes. According to the IOM, families sometimes willingly married their daughters to wealthy men in Iran and turned a blind eye to their outcomes.

Azerbaijan Adopts Action Plan Against Human Trafficking

Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe OSCE Online Press Release, 18 May 2004

www.stopvaw.org/26May20043

[accessed 23 July 2013]

The OSCE Office in Baku today welcomed the adoption by Azerbaijan of a national action plan to co-ordinate all efforts in the fight against human trafficking.

"The events in this sphere represent the most rapid progress anywhere, from a starting point in November 2002, when the existence of trafficking in human beings was not recognised, to the adoption of the National Action Plan," he added.  The document is a result of the close co-operation between the Azerbaijani Government and institutions and the international partners. It is in line with the spirit and provisions of the OSCE documents on the prevention of trafficking in human beings, which commit all participating States to take actions to eradicate human trafficking.

Adoption - Azerbaijan Alert !

Ministry of Children and Family Development, British Columbia, June 10, 2004

lukespencer954.wordpress.com/2013/01/31/azerbaijan-alert/

[accessed 20 January 2011]

Both international and domestic adoptions have been suspended for reasons that include an investigation of a hospital that has possible involvement in domestic child trafficking, and serious concerns about corruption and transparency in international adoptions.

Traffickers identified by the IOM were either foreigners or ethnic Azerbaijanis who acted in loose international networks, probably without central coordination. Victims were approached directly and indirectly through friends and relatives. Traffickers also used newspaper advertisements offering false work abroad. According to the Society for the Defense of Women’s Rights, draft-age men seeking to escape military service in 2000 were invited by local traffickers to work in the hotel industry in Turkey, but ended up in male brothels; however, the IOM was not aware of such reports. Another NGO reported that families of young women had been approached by individuals claiming that visiting Iranian businessmen had seen their daughters and wished to marry them. Following parental permission for such marriages, the women were transported to Iran to work as prostitutes. According to the IOM, families sometimes willingly married their daughters to wealthy men in Iran and turned a blind eye to their outcomes.

Human trafficking in Azerbaijan

The PUSH Journal, 30/04/2004

At one time this article had been archived and may possibly still be accessible [here]

[accessed 3 September 2011]

Many victims of trafficking are mostly taken to Turkey, Pakistan, Greece and the United Arab Emirates. At the same time, people from Russia, Moldova, Uzbekistan and Ukraine are taken to Azerbaijan for sex work. According to calculations, criminals can earn from 12,000 to 15,000 dollars from each person monthly.

Opponents of Human Trafficking from Transcaucasia Tour U.S. to Share Information

Gohar Grigorian, UCLA International Institute, 2/11/2003

web.international.ucla.edu/burkle/article/3122

[accessed 30 August 2014]

Nine government and police officials from the three republics of Transcaucasia--Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia--visited UCLA January 24 as part of a 21-day set of consultations in the United States on methods to stop trafficking in human beings for prostitution, slave labor, and domestic slavery.

Azerbaijan braces for "thousands" of Iraqi refugees - migration official

Source: Ekho, Baku, in Russian 20 Feb 03 pp 1, 2 --- BBC Mon TCU 260203 bk/ek

At one time this article had been archived and may possibly still be accessible [here]

[accessed 3 September 2011]

The head of the Azerbaijani centre for legal aid to migrants, Alovsat Aliyev, has said that the country might become flooded by thousands of Iraqi refugees in the event of a US operation against Iraq. He told the Azerbaijani newspaper Ekho that it was necessary to amend the migration law to curb illegal human trafficking as it damages the country's image abroad and causes distrust in Azerbaijan.

Human Rights Overview

Human Rights Watch

www.hrw.org/europecentral-asia/azerbaijan

[accessed 20 January 2011]

*** EARLIER EDITIONS OF SOME OF THE ABOVE ***

Freedom House Country Report - Political Rights: 7   Civil Liberties: 5   Status: Not Free

2018 Edition

freedomhouse.org/country/azerbaijan/freedom-world/2018

[accessed 23 April 2020]

G4. DO INDIVIDUALS ENJOY EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY AND FREEDOM FROM ECONOMIC EXPLOITATION?

Domestic violence remains a problem, and Azerbaijan is a source, transit point, and destination for forced labor and sex trafficking. Roma children are particularly susceptible to forced labor, including by being forced to work in restaurants or as roadside vendors, or to engage in forced begging. The government has taken some efforts to combat trafficking, including by prosecuting traffickers and providing services to victims.

2017 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices

U.S. Dept of State Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, 20 April 2018

www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2017/eur/277141.htm 

[accessed 12 March 2019]

www.state.gov/reports/2017-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/azerbaijan/

[accessed 24 June 2019]

PROHIBITION OF FORCED OR COMPULSORY LABOR

During the year there were reports that some schools were closed to allow Ministry of Education employees and students outside of the capital to participate in the autumn cotton harvest. Migrant workers were at times subjected to conditions of forced labor in the construction industry. Forced begging by children was a problem, and forced domestic servitude was an emerging problem. Men and boys at times were subjected to conditions of forced labor within the country, for example, in construction (see section 7.c.). The Ministry of Internal Affairs reported it identified five cases of forced labor in the first nine months of the year. During the year the antitrafficking department in the Ministry of Internal Affairs inspected construction and agricultural sector sites but did not identify any victims of labor trafficking.

Human Rights Reports » 2005 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices

U.S. Dept of State Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, March 8, 2006

2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2005/61637.htm

[accessed 4 February 2020]

TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS – Women and girls were trafficked internally from rural areas to the capital for sexual exploitation, men were trafficked to Turkey and Russia for forced labor, and boys were trafficked internally for begging. Iranians, Iraqis, Afghans, and migrants from South Asia were smuggled through the country to Europe—particularly Germany, Sweden, France, and the Netherlands—and to the US, where they at times had their passports confiscated and were subjected to forced labor. Traffickers generally targeted women. Refugees, IDPs, and the rural poor faced a higher risk of being trafficked.

Traffickers were either foreigners or ethnic Azerbaijanis who acted in loose concert with international networks. They approached victims directly and indirectly through friends and relatives, usually offering to arrange employment abroad. Traffickers also used deceptive newspaper advertisements offering false work abroad. Traffickers reportedly used forged documents to move victims. Traffickers also used fraudulent marriage proposals from men posing as Iranian businessmen to lure women into prostitution in neighboring Iran. Some families willingly married their daughters to wealthy Iranians without concern for the actual outcome.

All material used herein reproduced under the fair use exception of 17 USC § 107 for noncommercial, nonprofit, and educational use.  PLEASE RESPECT COPYRIGHTS OF COMPONENT ARTICLES.  Cite this webpage as: Patt, Prof. Martin, "Human Trafficking & Modern-day Slavery - Azerbaijan", http://gvnet.com/humantrafficking/Azerbaijan.htm, [accessed <date>]