The UN General Assembly's resolution adopted on December 18, 2013, established July 30 as the annual World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. One of the key actions taken by many developed countries worldwide is combating human trafficking.

The threat of human trafficking in today's world is seen through its diverse manifestations. Some of the contributing factors to human trafficking include limitations on job opportunities, education levels of victims, lack of social protection, poverty, discrimination in the job market, and gender inequality. Experts point out that women are more vulnerable to becoming victims of human trafficking due to factors such as poverty, and barriers to further education and employment.

As per the laws of the Republic of Azerbaijan, trafficking in persons is defined as the recruitment, obtaining, keeping, harboring, transporting, giving, or receipt of a person through threat or use of force, intimidation, or other means of coercion, abduction, fraud, deception, abuse of power [influence] or a position of vulnerability, or by giving or receiving payments or benefits, privileges or concessions to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for purposes of exploitation.  Azerbaijan has entered into numerous agreements, protocols, interstate mutual assistance documents, and conventions on an international level with other countries in the efforts to combat human trafficking. These documents highlight the importance of collaboration between states in tackling this crime, as trafficking in human beings constitutes a violation of human rights and an offence to the dignity and the integrity of the human being.

Following international standards, the "National Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings in the Republic of Azerbaijan" was endorsed by the President's Decree on May 6, 2004. Subsequently, on June 28, 2005, the "Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Trafficking in Persons" was enacted to define the prophylactics of human trafficking, the legal and organizational basis for fighting against human trafficking, the legal status of the victims of human trafficking, and regulate measures for the protection and assistance to victims of human trafficking. As of September 30 of the same year, legislative acts in Azerbaijan were amended to recognize human trafficking as a crime. Per the National Action Plan, the National Coordinator responsible for implementing the plan was appointed by the Minister of Internal Affairs through an order dated May 19, 2004. The Main Department on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings was established in the same year under the Ministry's General Directorate for Combating Organized Crime. Recognizing the importance of this role and considering recommendations from international organizations and the experiences of European countries, a separate department - the Main Department on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings - was established within the Ministry of Internal Affairs by the President's decree dated August 1, 2006.  The Main Department on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings is directly subordinated to the National Coordinator.

The ratification of various international documents by the Republic of Azerbaijan, approval of four National Action Plans to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings in 2004, 2009, 2014, and 2020-2024 by the Head of State, the establishment of a special police entity within the Ministry of Internal Affairs, formation of the National Coordinator Institute, creation of "Shelter," "Assistance Center," "Aid Fund," and "Hotline" services for victims, launching the official website, signing the Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation with the NGO Coalition to Combat Human Trafficking, involving 45 non-governmental organizations, government identification and social rehabilitation of trafficking victims, their placement in specialized institutions, repatriation to their home countries, and approval of the National Referral Mechanism rules, among other necessary efforts, have led to significant progress in the fight against human trafficking.

Today, our country has become a signatory to all international conventions aimed at combatting human trafficking. Both government institutions and non-governmental organizations are actively involved in implementing projects focused on rehabilitating victims of human trafficking. Azerbaijan is committed to building on the progress made since 2004 when legal measures against human trafficking were first introduced. As a secular, democratic, and legal state, Azerbaijan has prioritized the protection of human and civil rights, making significant contributions to the global fight against human trafficking.

Recommended literature:

1. Əliyev, Şəmsəddin. İnsan alveri ilə mübarizə /müəllif. Ş. Əliyev; Azərb. Resp-nın Prezidenti yanında Qeyri-Hökumət Təşkilatlarına Dövlət Dəstəyi Şurası ; "Polisə Dəstək" ictimai birliyi. - Bakı: QHT, 2015. - 43 s.
2. İnsan alveri /Azərb. Resp. Prezidenti yanında Qeyri-Hökumət Təşkilatlarına Dövlət Dəstəyi Şurası, Polisə Dəstək İctimai Birliyi; ideya müəl. və layihə rəhb. Ş. Əliyev; tərtibatçılar L. Quliyeva, S. Məlikova. - Bakı: QHT, 2018. - 83 s.
3. Hüseynli, Fazilə Yəhya qızı. İnsan alverinə qarşı mübarizə /F. Y. Hüseynli; red. R. A. Əhmədli. - Bakı: ADPU, 2024. - 222 s.
4. İnsan alverinə qarşı mübarizə sahəsində Azərbaycan təcrübəsi /ABA CEELİ; red. P. Bayramova; ön sözün müəl. R. Steere. - Bakı: [s. n.], 2012. - 111 s.