A 17-year-old female citizen of Uzbekistan who purportedly fell victim to forced marriage, physical violence, and severe forced labor in Turkey has been successfully repatriated. The Migration Agency released details of the case, shedding light on the ongoing vulnerabilities faced by citizens traveling abroad under questionable circumstances.

According to official reports, the minor was allegedly lured to Turkey under the false pretext of pursuing education. Finding herself trapped and subjected to flagrant human rights violations, she managed to reach out to the Consulate General of Uzbekistan in Istanbul. The diplomatic mission reportedly engaged local attorneys to provide consular and legal assistance, facilitating her return home funded by the Migration Fund.

Authorities have stated that measures are currently underway to ensure the victim's safety, social, legal, and psychological rehabilitation under the oversight of relevant state agencies. The incident highlights persistent challenges regarding the safety of vulnerable travelers and young citizens abroad.

Statistics released by the Migration Agency indicate that between January and September 2026, financial assistance was allegedly extended to 9,000 citizens who found themselves in distressing financial situations abroad. An additional 12,000 individuals reportedly received legal and logistical support. These cases predominantly involve individuals whose labor rights were breached, those who lost identification documents, and workers facing systemic wage theft.

The agency continues to urge citizens abroad facing violence, forced labor, discrimination, or severe financial distress to seek immediate intervention through their 24/7 hotline at 1282 or via the designated Telegram bot @huquqiy_yordam_uzbot, as vulnerabilities among overseas travelers remain a pressing concern.

Source: www.gazeta.uz