Milli Majlis adopts annual report on combating human trafficking

Milli Majlis adopted the information from the National Coordinator for Combating Human Trafficking on the fight against human trafficking in the Republic of Azerbaijan in 2025.

As Trend reports, this issue was put up for discussion at today's plenary session of the Milli Majlis.

It was noted that in 2025, out of 31 accused persons declared in local search in human trafficking cases (15 incidents), coercion to sexual acts, distribution of child pornography, illegal distribution of pornographic materials or objects, involvement in prostitution and maintenance of brothels, 15 people were detained, including 3 human traffickers.

All 46 (-45) victims of human trafficking identified in the reporting year, being citizens of Azerbaijan (women), were subjected to sexual exploitation: 33 of them in Turkey, 10 in the United Arab Emirates, 3 in Pakistan.

Of the victims, 4 were aged 18 to 25 years, 28 from 25 to 35 years, and 14 over 35 years.

Each of the victims was paid a one-time allowance of 700 manats. Material assistance in the amount of 3,350 manats was provided to the account of the relevant Assistance Fund under the Ministry of Internal Affairs to 40 persons who were victims of human trafficking and 5 persons who were presumably victims of human trafficking. Assistance was provided in returning 23 victims to their families. The children of the victims were also in the spotlight: assistance was provided in obtaining birth certificates and identity cards for 11 children, as well as in providing alimony for 8 children.

In 2025, as a result of operational-search measures carried out in the field of detecting crimes related to human trafficking and bringing the perpetrators to justice, 198 (-8; of which 57 were committed using information technologies) crimes were identified, including 152 (-9) related to human trafficking, as well as 45 (+1) related to illegal actions with documents for the purpose of human trafficking.

The detection rate of crimes related to human trafficking was 97 percent; as a result of operational measures, 2 criminal groups were neutralized with respect to 6 persons.

In connection with the specified illegal acts, 10 (-5) criminal cases were initiated (within the investigation of one criminal case, up to 20 facts were investigated); in 8 criminal cases, 10 persons (9 women) were brought as accused, and 12 persons (11 women) were brought to criminal responsibility.

The courts sentenced 14 human traffickers (4 men, 10 women, of whom 2 for previous years, 3 conditionally) to imprisonment.

Currently, through Interpol channels, an international search continues for 10 (-1) persons accused of committing a crime related to human trafficking.

It is assumed that 7 of them are hiding in Turkey, 1 in Pakistan, 1 in the Russian Federation, and 1 in the United Arab Emirates.

After discussions, the draft decision was put to a vote and adopted in one reading.