The Milli Majlis (National Assembly) of the Republic of Azerbaijan has reviewed and accepted the annual report of the National Coordinator on Combating Human Trafficking for 2025. The report, presented during a plenary session chaired by Speaker Sahiba Gafarova, outlines the country's comprehensive efforts in identifying victims, prosecuting offenders, and implementing preventive measures both domestically and internationally.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that according to the data, 46 citizens of Azerbaijan were identified as victims of human trafficking abroad during 2025. Of these, 33 individuals were subjected to sexual exploitation in Turkey, 10 in the United Arab Emirates, and three in Pakistan. The report further specified that 28 victims were aged between 25 and 35, while 14 were over the age of 35. Additionally, authorities identified 936 children who were found to be outside of family, pedagogical, or social supervision, leading to the identification of 511 parents who facilitated such conditions.
Regarding judicial actions, 14 human traffickers—comprising four men and 10 women—were sentenced to imprisonment during the reporting period. Currently, 10 individuals accused of human trafficking remain on the international wanted list through Interpol channels. The National Coordinator also highlighted social support measures, noting that nine children without identification were provided with birth certificates and registered in the State Registry of the Population of Azerbaijan. Furthermore, a case of forced labor involving an Azerbaijani citizen in the construction sector in Montenegro was successfully identified through specialized police operations, leading to the initiation of a criminal case.
Azerbaijan continues to strengthen its legal framework and international cooperation to combat human trafficking in alignment with national action plans and global standards. The presentation of this annual report to the Milli Majlis serves as a critical mechanism for parliamentary oversight, ensuring transparency and the continuous improvement of state policies regarding human rights and public safety. The session's agenda included a total of eight issues, with the human trafficking report being a primary focus of the legislative discussions.
