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Human Trafficking

Tajikistan Improves Ranking in U.S. Human Trafficking Report

Tajikistan has improved its standing in the U.S. State Department’s 2025 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, moving up from the Tier 2 Watch List to Tier 2. This designation means the country still does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of human trafficking under U.S. legislation, but is making significant efforts to comply. According to the report, released on the State Department’s official website, Tajikistan’s progress reflects expanded anti-trafficking efforts in 2024. Authorities initiated 57 criminal cases related to human trafficking, down slightly from 60 in 2023 but the number of identified victims surged from 47 to 272. Of these, 238 were victims of forced labor, and 34 were victims of sexual exploitation. In the first half of 2025 alone, Tajik law enforcement registered 39 new cases, including five involving the sale of children. Tajikistan’s shift to Tier 2 signals a positive trajectory. However, the report notes persistent shortcomings. Authorities, for instance, often fail to clearly distinguish between labor exploitation and sexual violence, frequently conflating these with irregular migration or illegal adoption cases. Despite an official ban, the report highlights that schoolchildren and university students in Tajikistan continue to be mobilized for cotton harvesting under the guise of “hashar” or community work days. The TIP Report also raises concerns about coercive recruitment tactics used in military conscription, though it does not elaborate on specific methods. Refugees and stateless individuals are another focus of concern. According to the report, some citizens of Afghanistan and Bangladesh have been subjected to forced labor at construction sites in Tajikistan. U.S. estimates indicate that more than 12,000 refugees and asylum seekers live in the country, the majority of whom are Afghan nationals. Tajikistan’s Criminal Code criminalizes human trafficking-related offenses such as kidnapping, trafficking in persons, the sale of minors, and the use of children in the production of pornography. It also covers crimes such as organizing illegal migration, forging documents, and misusing official seals and stamps. While the U.S. report acknowledges improvements in victim identification and data collection, it emphasizes that Tajikistan must strengthen victim protection measures, improve transparency in investigations and expand its prevention strategies to continue advancing in the global anti-trafficking effort.

Drug Trafficking

Kazakhstan Proposes Cash Rewards for Citizens Who Report Drug Crimes

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs is developing a plan to financially reward citizens who provide information leading to the resolution of drug-related crimes. The initiative was announced by Kuandyk Alzhanov, Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Combating Drug Crime, during a press conference in Astana. “We are constantly improving legislation related to drug enforcement. Penalties for drug trafficking have been strengthened, and the list of controlled substances is regularly updated,” Alzhanov said. “We are now working with the Prosecutor General’s Office and the National Bank to design a mechanism for converting seized criminal assets into state revenue, and to establish a reward system for citizens who assist in uncovering drug crimes.” Alzhanov noted that regional and city akims of republican significance will now be personally accountable for the drug situation in their jurisdictions. The Ministry has also launched a public testing initiative called Test in Every Home, encouraging Kazakhstani parents to use rapid drug tests to monitor their children. “These tests can identify drug use within minutes and help detect addiction at an early stage,” Alzhanov explained. From January to September 2025, law enforcement agencies seized over 26 tons of narcotics, marking a 35% increase compared to the same period last year. The seizures included more than nine tons of marijuana, over one ton of synthetic drugs, and more than 600 kilograms of hashish. The remainder consisted of raw cannabis plants. Authorities also reported a sharp rise in illicit indoor drug cultivation. In 2025, police shut down 93 illegal greenhouse “phytolaboratories”, a fivefold increase compared to 2024. Alzhanov highlighted tougher penalties for synthetic drug production, including new legislation introduced earlier this year mandating life imprisonment for producers. In 2024, 29 synthetic drug labs were dismantled and 419 kilograms of synthetic drugs were seized. In the first nine months of 2025, authorities closed 12 labs and seized over one ton of synthetic substances, almost three times last year’s amount. These seizures prevented nearly 3 million single doses from entering the illegal market. During the same period, more than 6,000 drug-related offenses were documented, including 1,700 cases of drug sales and 300 cases of large-scale drug storage. Police also dismantled 16 organized criminal groups, three of which operated transnationally. Sixteen group leaders and 60 active members were detained. Authorities also seized roughly 24 tons of chemical substances, including 17 tons of precursors, as well as equipment used in synthetic drug manufacturing. In addition, officials recorded 379 cases of cultivation of narcotic plants, 117 smuggling incidents, and 170 cases of drug-related propaganda. Volunteer-supported raids removed over 25,000 graffiti and online drug resource links, while more than 35,000 bank cards tied to drug trafficking were blocked. Approximately $4.6 million in related funds were frozen. As reported previously by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakh authorities seized about six tons of drugs in the first half of 2025 and 21 tons over the entire previous year. This year’s escalation in enforcement underscores a marked intensification of the government’s anti-drug efforts.

Locust Outbreak

Kyrgyzstan Urges Regional Unity to Combat Major Locust Outbreak

Kyrgyzstan has called for stronger regional cooperation among Central Asian countries in response to a large-scale locust infestation threatening vast areas of farmland. According to the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry of Kyrgyzstan, surveys across 114,000 hectares of agricultural land revealed locust presence on nearly two-thirds of the area. More than 74,000 hectares have already been treated with pesticides. “Locusts are herbivorous insects capable of forming large migratory swarms under favorable population and climate conditions. These swarms can devastate entire crop fields within days,” the ministry warned. The infestation is particularly severe in southern Kyrgyzstan, where early harvest cycles and warmer weather provide ideal breeding conditions. Mobile task forces and trained specialists are actively monitoring and treating affected areas. Operations are expected to continue through August, coinciding with the end of the locusts’ life cycle. To coordinate a broader response, Kyrgyz authorities have reached agreements with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The trilateral effort aims to: Implement international phytosanitary standards Enhance data sharing on locust distribution and life cycles Coordinate pesticide application in cross-border agricultural zones Uzbekistan has introduced a new electronic tracking platform that records egg-laying sites and treatment zones. This system improves monitoring of locust movements and helps mitigate the risk of transboundary migration. The initiative underscores growing regional concerns over food security, as shifting climate patterns increase the frequency and severity of locust outbreaks across Central Asia. In Bishkek, concerned residents have recently reported a rise in sightings of large insects resembling locusts. However, agricultural experts have clarified that these are bush crickets (Tettigoniidae), which are harmless to crops and humans. “These solitary insects have long antennae and, particularly in younger specimens, underdeveloped wings. Unlike true locusts, they do not form destructive swarms,” the ministry stated. The Kyrgyz government continues to treat infested areas and has urged farmers and local communities to promptly report new sightings. Officials emphasized that coordinated regional action is essential to contain the outbreak and safeguard agricultural productivity. As summer advances, Central Asia is expected to face further agricultural and ecological challenges, underscoring the need for real-time data sharing and cross-border pest management strategies.