Kazakhstan reports 85 human trafficking cases stopped in 2026

September 10, 2026 at 08:25 PM2 min

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Kazakhstan's Interior Ministry reported stopping 85 human trafficking cases and dismantling nine illegal migration channels since the start of 2026. The figures were announced after a meeting of interior ministers from the Organization of Turkic States in Astana. Kazakhstan proposed regular exchange of operational information on illegal migration channels among OTS members.

Key Facts

Kazakhstan's Interior Ministry stopped 85 human trafficking cases and dismantled nine illegal migration channels since the start of 2026.
The figures were announced at a meeting of interior ministers from the Organization of Turkic States in Astana.
Kazakhstan proposed regular exchange of operational information on illegal migration channels, organizers, carriers, and trafficking victims among OTS members.
Interior Minister Yerzhan Sadenov said criminal groups use fictitious employment, residence registration, and forged invitations to legalize migrants.
Kazakhstan developed and approved an algorithm with the UN International Organization for Migration to identify trafficking victims.

Trafficking and Migration Figures

Kazakhstan's Interior Ministry reported stopping 85 human trafficking cases and dismantling nine illegal migration channels since the start of 2026. The figures were announced after a meeting of interior ministers from the Organization of Turkic States in Astana. The ministry said work includes not only solving such crimes but also prevention and protection of victims.

Proposals for Regional Cooperation

Kazakhstan proposed that OTS countries establish regular exchange of operational information on illegal migration channels, their organizers and carriers, and trafficking victims. Interior Minister Yerzhan Sadenov called for more attention to identifying signs of exploitation among labor migrants and conducting joint activities. Sadenov said criminal groups use fictitious employment, residence registration, and forged invitations to legalize migrants. He stressed the common task is to identify the entire chain from organizers and intermediaries to those directly exploiting people.

Victim Identification Mechanism

Kazakhstan developed and approved an algorithm with the UN International Organization for Migration to identify trafficking victims. The ministry said the algorithm is part of joint work on prevention and protection of victims.