14:02, 5 March 2004

About 500 women from Azerbaijan kept in sexual slavery in Pakistan

About 500 Azerbaijan women fallen victims to trafficking are kept in Pakistan today under extremely trying conditions. Aliovsat Aliyev, head of the Center for Legal Assistance to Migrants, told it to the Baku newspaper Echo, referring to the stories of 12 women who had managed to free themselves from sexual slavery and to return to Azerbaijan.

"Women are lured into the net under the pretext of subsequent placement in a job and all kinds of promises. Girls are often bought from their own parents for a mere song. Then they are transported to Pakistan, where "bosses" buy them. Many victims of trafficking in persons have given up hope for the protection of their rights in Azerbaijan," noted Aliovsat Aliyev.

"8 under age girls are among the victims, the others are between the ages of 18 and 27," said Mr Aliyev. 11 women returned to Azerbaijan being pregnant.

Source: REGNUM News Agency