The U.S. Department of State released its 2021 assessment report on measures taken by countries against human trafficking around the world.
According to the published report, Georgia is at the highest level of evaluation among countries fighting human trafficking, and again maintains place in the so-called Tier 1.
The report states that Government of Georgia fully meets minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking.
The report states that the Criminal Code fully criminalizes sex trafficking and labor trafficking, for the commission of which adequate stringent penalties are prescribed. The report reflects the statistical data of the investigated cases, criminal prosecution and verdicts.
The report positively assesses the existence of number of anti-trafficking units in the country, including the Division for Combatting Human Trafficking and Irregular Migration established under the MIA Central Criminal Police Department and 6 mobile units operating under the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Furthermore, the report underlines the work of the “TASK FORCE” formed by specialized prosecutors and investigators and functioning in the Adjara Region. In addition, the report notes that the mobile units and the “TASK FORCE” proactively investigate crimes of trafficking and inspect various risk facilities.
The Report mentions that all police cadets received basic training on trafficking issues, and that investigators, border police officers, prosecutors, labour inspectors and judges are regularly provided with the trainings on trafficking issues, including the ones conducted in cooperation with international organizations. The Report positively assesses the signing of an agreement with the Kingdom of Spain on establishment of the joint analysis group against organized crime, as well as, the deployment of two police officers for the period of 6 months in the French Republic with the purpose of providing support in the investigation of crimes committed by the organized criminal groups of Georgian origin.
The report underlines that the Georgian government is unable to take anti-trafficking measures in the occupied territories.
According to the report, the mobile units and the “TASK FORCE” screened individuals employed in vulnerable sectors with the aim of identifying probable signs of trafficking and for the same reason, screened individuals deported from foreign countries to Georgia at international airports and border crossing points.
The preventive measures undertaken by the Government are also positively assessed, including the existence of the hotline within the Ministry of Internal Affairs, where calls regarding trafficking can be made.
Recruitment of female victims from Middle Asia with false promises of well-paid jobs and their sexual exploitation on the territory of Georgia or through Georgia in neighboring countries still remains as a popular trend of trafficking in Georgia. The report notes that Georgian citizens are exploited in countries where they travel by labor migration.
Traditionally, the report is accompanied by recommendations issued by the State Department to combat trafficking in human beings and improve the protection of victims.
