Asian Journal of Criminal Justice and Forensic Studies

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  • Vol. 1, No. 1. 2025

  • Human trafficking in the Republics of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan: Lessons from Central Asia

  • Received 04.07.2025,
  • Revised 13.11.2025,
  • Accepted 16.12.2025
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Vol. 1, No. 1. 2025
  • gender inequality; systemic problems; cross-border cooperation; at-border conflicts; safe funds
  • Pages 15-23

The study aimed to assess human trafficking response strategies in the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Republic of Uzbekistan, and the Republic of Kyrgyzstan, with an emphasis on cross-border cooperation efforts in Central Asia. The goal was achieved through the use of the comparative legal analysis and case study method involving F.M. and others versus Russia and repatriating Kazakh nationals from Myanmar and Thailand in February-April 2025. Based on the comparative legal analysis, it was concluded that all countries in the region had adopted comprehensive rooted in the Palermo Protocol legal frameworks but varied considerably in their implementation strategies. While the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Republic of Kyrgyzstan had formalised national referral mechanisms and partnerships with non-governmental organisations, the Republic of Uzbekistan had launched structured victim assistance networks. Despite different approaches to preventing and investigating human trafficking, all countries in the sample experienced similar difficulties in implementing legislative initiatives and supporting cross-border interaction to counter human trafficking. The cross-border interaction was hindered by such factors as political instability and at-border conflicts, corrupted state institutions, ineffective implementation of legal frameworks, hindered data sharing processes, cultural and societal peculiarities, and geopolitical dynamics. The recommendations were to support international cooperation through transnational unions and multilateral platforms, enhance transparency and accountability of the law enforcement institutions, harmonise national legislation with international standards, and launch the boarder International Organisation for Migration-coordinated safe fund. The obtained results can be used to reduce the incidence of and rehabilitate the victims of cross-border human trafficking

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