Human trafficking in Iran

Human trafficking in Iran refers to the phenomenon of human trafficking in Iran for the purposes of sexual exploitation and involuntary servitude.

Overview

Afghan, Pakistani, Armenian, Azeri, Indian, Eastern European, Chinese and Iraqi women are trafficked into Iran to be forced to work as prostitutes. Many women from central Asian Turkic countries are also smuggled into Iran and the surrounding countries to work as prostitutes. Many of these woman are taken to tourist spots in the country, specially places like Mazandaran, Gilan, Pars province Tehran and Mashhad to service both Iranian and foreign sex tourists.

The government reportedly prohibits all forms of trafficking in persons through its 2004 Law on Combating Human Trafficking, which prescribes severe penalties, often including death sentences for convicted traffickers. However, border officials may be complicit in trafficking offenses and Iran has not reported any disciplinary action taken against officials suspected of facilitating trafficking.^[1] Furthermore, victims are arrested and may be punished for violations of morality standards such as adultery, defined as sexual relations outside marriage.^[1]

According to the United States, the Government of Iran does not comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so. Lack of access to Iran by U.S. Government officials prohibits the collection of full data on the country’s human trafficking problem and the government’s efforts to curb it. Iran has not provided evidence of law enforcement activities against trafficking to the US government.^[1]

See also

• Prostitution in Iran

References