In Kazakhstan, newborns are being sold for up to $4,500. But the government is fighting back, implementing a new law aimed at cracking down on traffickers. This legislation, adopted earlier this month, marks a significant step towards tackling the pervasive issue of human trafficking in the country.
A LEGISLATIVE MOVE AGAINST TRAFFICKING
The new law targets several crimes, including kidnapping, illegal deprivation of liberty, human trafficking, and involvement in prostitution. By facilitating criminal prosecution for these offenses, the government aims to dismantle the networks involved in trafficking. The timing of this legislation is crucial, coming just ahead of the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, observed annually on 30 July.
RISING CASES HIGHLIGHT A GROWING CRISIS
The grim reality of child trafficking in Kazakhstan is evident in recent statistics. Last year, the Ministry of Internal Affairs registered 19 cases of newborns being traded, leading to the prosecution of over 15 individuals. In 2024 alone, six cases have been reported, with prices for each child ranging from $200 to $4,500.
UNSEEN DEPTHS OF THE PROBLEM
These figures, however, may only scratch the surface of a much larger issue. Gulnaz Kelekeyeva, who leads the Kazakhstan’s Actions in Combating Child Trafficking project at Winrock International, believes the official statistics fail to capture the true extent of the problem.
“Unfortunately, in Kazakhstan, there has been virtually no nationwide research on socially vulnerable children and the vulnerability of children to trafficking and exploitation,” Kelekeyeva said in an interview with UN News. She emphasized the lack of accurate statistics needed to understand the full scale of child trafficking in the country.
EVOLUTION OF TRAFFICKING: MOVING ONLINE
The nature of human trafficking has shifted significantly over the years. Since the last comprehensive study on vulnerable children in Kazakhstan, conducted in 2012 by UNICEF, trafficking has increasingly moved into the digital realm. Kelekeyeva warns that much has changed in the past 12 years, with traffickers now exploiting cyberspace to conduct their illegal activities.
“Today, there is only isolated information about cases of child trafficking that gets into the media from crime reports,” Kelekeyeva noted, underlining the need for updated research and data.
MEDIA EXPOSES CHILLING CASES
Recent media reports have brought to light shocking instances of child trafficking. Last fall, a case emerged involving the sale of an abandoned baby by obstetricians at a maternity hospital in Kazakhstan. The doctors involved were convicted of selling the newborn for $3,000 and received eight-year prison sentences.
Another disturbing case involved a 23-year-old mother attempting to sell her two young children. The children, one just a month old and the other about a year, are now under state protection.
ROLE OF HEALTHCARE AND EDUCATION SECTORS
According to Kelekeyeva, there is a widespread lack of awareness among those who are responsible for protecting children, including health and education authorities. This includes maternity hospitals, schools, children’s homes, guardianship and trusteeship institutions, visiting nurses, paediatricians, emergency wards, and private medical centres.
“Often, they mistakenly believe that this issue falls within the competence of purely law enforcement agencies,” Kelekeyeva explained. She stressed that effective prevention and combating of child trafficking require cooperation between all relevant services.
MULTI-FACETED NATURE OF CHILD TRAFFICKING
Child trafficking is not limited to illegal adoptions; it also includes sexual exploitation, forced labour, and the sale of organs. The new legislation addresses these various forms of trafficking, aiming to provide a more comprehensive legal framework to tackle the issue.
TECHNOLOGY AS A TOOL FOR PREVENTION
The new law is also leveraging technology to prevent trafficking. It mandates healthcare workers to report any cases of abandoned newborns, with failure to do so resulting in administrative penalties. Digital tools are playing a crucial role in this fight.
Since last year, a pilot project in one of Astana’s maternity hospitals has been testing the use of individual identification numbers for newborns. This initiative, designed to prevent illegal transactions, is set to be rolled out nationwide this year.
LEGISLATIVE CHALLENGES AND INTERNATIONAL INSIGHTS
The complexity of developing effective anti-trafficking laws is not lost on Kazakhstan’s lawmakers. Scientific advancements, such as artificial insemination, have introduced new challenges in crafting legislation that effectively addresses the trafficking of newborns.
Member of Parliament Sergei Ponomarev, who contributed to the new law, pointed out cases where Kazakhstani women, particularly from the southern regions, are used as surrogates for foreign nationals. This complicates legal matters, especially when determining parental rights through DNA testing.
“Regarding this matter, we are open to studying the experience of other countries,” Ponomarev stated, highlighting the need for Kazakhstan to learn from global best practices in combating human trafficking.
LOOKING FORWARD: A GLOBAL FIGHT
Kazakhstan’s new law is a significant step forward in the fight against child trafficking, but it is just the beginning. The international community, alongside local authorities, must continue to push for better research, stronger legislation, and more robust cooperation among all stakeholders to protect the most vulnerable members of society—its children.
The road ahead is long, but with continued efforts, there is hope that Kazakhstan can turn the tide against child trafficking.
