Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2016, published 106th ILC session (2017)

Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29) - Uzbekistan (Ratification: 1992)
Protocol of 2014 to the Forced Labour Convention, 1930 - Uzbekistan (Ratification: 2019)

Articles 1(1), 2(1) and 25 of the Convention. Trafficking in persons. The Committee previously noted that sections 135 and 138 of the Criminal Code prohibit “the recruitment of persons for sexual or other exploitation and the forcible illegal deprivation of a person’s freedom”, including trafficking. It also noted the adoption of the Act on the Measures to Combat Trafficking in Persons, 2008. It requested information on the application of these provisions in practice as well as on the measures taken to provide assistance and protection to victims of trafficking.

The Committee notes the absence of information in the Government’s report on this regard. The Committee notes from the concluding observations of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) of 24 November 2015 that an Action Plan for 2015–16 on the prevention of trafficking in persons has been adopted. However, the Committee notes that CEDAW expressed concern at the lack of information on the number of complaints, investigations, prosecutions and convictions relating to trafficking of women and girls as well as on victim support and rehabilitation programmes (CEDAW/C/UZB/CO/5, paragraphs 5 and 19). The Committee requests the Government to supply information on the measures taken, including within the Action Plan of 2015–16 to provide protection and assistance to victims of trafficking as well as the impact of these measures, including the number of persons benefiting from services for victims of trafficking. The Committee also requests the Government to provide information on the application of relevant provisions of the Criminal Code and Act on Trafficking in Persons, 2008 in practice, including the number of investigations, prosecutions, convictions and the specific penalties applied.

Articles 1(1) and 2(1). Mobilization and use of labour for purposes of economic development in agriculture (cotton production). The Committee refers to its comments addressed to the Government under Convention No. 105.

Article 2(2)(a). Use of compulsory military service for purely military ends. The Committee previously noted the Government’s statement that there had been no instances in Uzbekistan of the use of conscripts for non-military ends, but that there were no guarantees to that effect in the national legislation. Noting once again that the Government’s report contains no information on this subject, the Committee reiterates its hope that, during the next revision of the legislation concerning compulsory military service, measures will be taken to include provisions specifying that the services exacted from conscripts shall be for purely military purposes.