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AFGHANISTAN

Security

  Security situation
Disarmament
  Security forces
Criminality
  Corruption
Mines
 

Humanitarian Issues

  Social security
Internal displacement
  Housing
Food supply
  Health
Aid organisations
 

Protection Related Issues

  Internal flight alternative
Third countries
  Return/repatriation

06.2006 - Source: US Department of State

150 reported cases of child trafficking in 2006 ("Trafficking in Persons Report 2006") [ID 18848]

"Afghanistan is a source country for women and children trafficked internally and to Iran, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia for forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation. Children are trafficked internally for forced labor as beggars or into debt bondage in the brick kiln and carpet-making industries. Afghan women and girls are kidnapped, lured by fraudulent marriage or job proposals, or sold into marriage or commercial sexual exploitation within the country and in Iran, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia. Women are also exchanged to settle debts or resolve conflicts. The Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission reported 150 cases of child trafficking this year, though many suspect the actual level of trafficking is higher.

The Government of Afghanistan does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so. Although the government has had an interagency working group on trafficking for two years, little discernable action has resulted due in large part to limited resources and lack of capacity. Afghanistan did not enact a trafficking law in 2005, though it continued to rely on kidnapping and other criminal laws to prosecute trafficking offenses. Afghanistan also has not taken sufficient action to address the reportedly high degree of corruption among police and border guards. Police officers, prosecutors, and judges often lack training and sensitivity to trafficking issues. As a result, the government's prosecution level is low and many cases are never heard. Afghanistan should enact a comprehensive anti-trafficking law, increase prosecutions of traffickers including corrupt government officers, and provide technical and sensitivity training for government officials.
Prosecution
Over the year, Afghanistan made some progress in its anti-trafficking law enforcement efforts. Afghanistan does not have a specific anti-trafficking law, and relies primarily on kidnapping statutes to charge trafficking offenses. Despite reports last year that the Ministry of Justice was in the process of drafting an anti-trafficking law, none has been released or enacted. This year, Afghanistan reported 40-70 arrests of child traffickers. Four prosecutions resulted in 15 convictions, with six traffickers sentenced to jail terms ranging from eight months to 20 years and seven traffickers sentenced to death. However, the government did not report significant measures taken to investigate prosecute or otherwise curb government corruption, particularly among border guards who are widely believed to facilitate trafficking. Afghanistan should enact an anti-trafficking law, increase law enforcement action against corrupt government officials, and expand training programs for police and members of the judiciary investigating and prosecuting these cases.
Protection
The Government of Afghanistan, with limited resources, made modest improvements in its protection efforts, but deficiencies remain. The government cooperated with Saudi Arabia to repatriate children trafficked for forced begging. While the Government of Afghanistan still lacks a shelter providing medical, psychological, and legal aid to trafficking victims, there are shelters operated by NGOs. Adult victims are sometimes jailed. The government also does not encourage victims to participate in trials of their traffickers. Afghanistan should offer basic shelter services and protection for victims, and prevent the arrest and incarceration of suspected trafficking victims. The government should also ensure that victims have the opportunity to participate in the trials of their traffickers if they choose.
Prevention
During the year, Afghanistan took minimal action to prevent trafficking in persons. The government's national anti-trafficking task force met, but was not active. The government disseminated information about missing children through the media and mosques and conducted limited police training to raise awareness of trafficking. Afghanistan failed to consistently and adequately screen emigrants and immigrants at the border in order to identify trafficking victims or to undertake a broad public awareness campaign on trafficking.
"

Document(s): Open document

08.07.2004 - Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting

Hundreds of children are abducted every year but so far the government has been unable to stop the problem ("Child Kidnapping Rife") [#23842],  [ID 1424]

Document(s): Open document

30.06.2004 - Source: BBC News

Southern Afghanistan: a rise in child abductions reported; some youngsters are being killed for their organs ("Afghan children killed by organ traders") [#23723],  [ID 1425]

Document(s): Open document

08.06.2004 - Source: Integrated Regional Information Network

With poor security and poverty rife, Afghan children are increasingly susceptible to kidnapping and abduction for sale abroad; at least 200 children have been kidnapped or abducted over the past 12 months ("Child kidnapping on the rise") [#23111],  [ID 1427]

Document(s): Open document

29.04.2004 - Source: ReliefWeb

17 children kidnapped from the streets of Kabul have been liberated by authorities; child trafficking a growing problem in Afghanistan ("17 children rescued as kidnappings seen on the rise in Afghanistan (AFP)") [#21791],  [ID 1428]

Document(s): Open document

26.03.2004 - Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting

More than 400 appeals for missing children were aired on Radio and Television Afghanistan, RTA, last year; numerous minors sent aboard to work illegally ("A Nation’s Disappearing Children") [#20772],  [ID 1429]

"[...] Last year, more than 400 appeals for missing children were aired on a new service offered by Radio and Television Afghanistan, RTA - a technological advance over the traditional announcements at local mosques.
Officials differ on why Afghan children are disappearing.
Some say it appears they are being trafficked out of the country for forced labour. Others contend the children are being sent abroad to earn money illegally for their families. Local or tribal disputes sometimes also lead to kidnappings. Lawlessness in much of the country makes abductions difficult to stop.
Abdul Jamil, chief of criminal investigations for the government, would not give any figures regarding the number of children who have gone missing, but said that youngsters coming to the capital from surrounding villages in search of work are particularly vulnerable to abduction.
Jamil said that in some cases, children are forced to work as beggars, turning over their takings to their kidnappers. Some of the abducted children have been used to transport drugs across international borders, he said. [...]"

Document(s): Open document

19.03.2004 - Source: UN General Assembly

Trafficking in women and children serious matter of concern ("The situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security A/58/742–S/2004/230") [#20724],  [ID 1430]

"[...] 40. Trafficking in women and children is a matter of serious concern. Although the exact number of children being trafficked from Afghanistan is unknown, the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission has documented over 300 cases of people who disappeared in the last five months of 2003. Efforts to end this degrading and illegal trade are being lead by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs with assistance from the Ministries of the Interior, Foreign Affairs, Justice, and Religious Affairs, UNAMA, UNICEF, UNHCR, international and local non-governmental organizations, and the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission. [...]"

Document(s): Open document
Open document