GOVERNMENT PROVIDES FREE LONG-TERM HOUSING TO

UNCLAS TASHKENT 000753 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/CEN, G/TIP, INL, DRL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PGOV KWMN SMIG UZ SUBJECT: GOVERNMENT PROVIDES FREE LONG-TERM HOUSING TO TRAFFICKING VICTIM REF: A. TASHKENT 722 ¶B. TASHKENT 723 ¶1. The Uzbek Government has provided free long-term housing to a trafficking victim, a minor who was repatriated from the United Arab Emirates in January 2005. Upon her return to Uzbekistan, the victim was provided medical and other support services and housed until June 2005 at the International Organization for Migration-operated shelter for trafficking victims in Tashkent. Following her stay at the shelter, officials from the Tashkent City Hokimiyat (Administration) Women's Committee provided her with free lodging at a government-run hostel in Tashkent's Sergeli district until January 2007 (one and a half years). In February the victim moved into a rented apartment. ¶2. Comment: The Government's provision of one and a half years of free housing to a trafficking victim is another example of its efforts to protect trafficking victims. The Government is making significant efforts to fight trafficking. Actions include holding multiple trafficking-focused Government inter-agency meetings, increased broadcasting of highly visible Government-produced national media programming, sentencing of a law enforcement official to ten years in prison on trafficking-related criminal corruption charges, and a Foreign Ministry official's visit to the Tashkent shelter to discuss collaboration and forms of support (reftels). PURNELL