UN experts have issued a warning over “credible and well-documented allegations of long-standing trafficking and forced labor exploitation of migrant women in the Golyanovo district of Moscow, Russia.”
The victims, predominantly from Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, have reportedly suffered severe exploitation and violence for decades, as was reported on July 28 at the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights website.
The UN experts stressed that the findings revealed “deeply disturbing patterns of trafficking in persons and contemporary forms of slavery,” all enabled by systemic failures in Russia’s legal and institutional frameworks.
According to UN information, dozens of women were deceived with false promises of legitimate employment in small shops. Upon their arrival in Russia, their documents were seized, and they were held captive, subjected to forced labor for up to 20 hours a day in appalling conditions without compensation.
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Additionally, the victims endured torture, sexual violence, forced abortions, and had their children abducted.
“These women were isolated, abused, and stripped of all autonomy. The scale and duration of the abuse, coupled with the authorities’ failure to act despite repeated complaints, point to a deeply entrenched system of exploitation,” the experts said.
Even though numerous complaints were lodged by victims and civil society organizations dating back to the 1990s, Russian authorities have failed to conduct effective investigations, often dismissing the cases entirely. Investigations were reportedly closed under the false assumption that the victims had consented, disregarding compelling evidence of coercion and abuse, according to a UN investigation.
The experts also highlighted Russia’s lack of a comprehensive anti-trafficking legal framework, which criminalizes the act of assisting undocumented migrants and deters victims from seeking help. They also noted the obstruction of civil society organizations and individuals attempting to support the victims.
“We urge Russian authorities to take immediate and decisive action,” the experts said.
“This includes launching a comprehensive investigation, cooperating with Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, and ensuring justice and redress for all victims,” they stressed.
The European Court of Human Rights recently considered the case, finding Russia in violation of its obligations to prevent trafficking and protect victims, with a final judgment in the case of F.M. and Others v. Russia, UN report states.
“Victims of human trafficking must not be punished for unlawful acts committed as a direct consequence of their exploitation,” the experts affirmed.
“In violation of Article 4 of the European Convention on Human Rights, Russian authorities failed to prevent trafficking, protect victims, or hold perpetrators accountable,” they concluded.
It isn’t the first time Russia has been accused of violating human rights. Previously, the European Court of Human Rights has ruled that Russia has carried out flagrant and unprecedented human rights violations in Ukraine since 2014, including extrajudicial killings, sexual violence, and forced labour.
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