A report released by the U.S. State Department described Iran as a source, transit, and destination country for women and girls trafficked for the purposes of sexual exploitation and involuntary servitude.
The report cited cased of women and girls being trafficked to Pakistan, Turkey, the Gulf, and Europe for sexual exploitation.
Boys from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan are trafficked through Iran en route to the Gulf states where they are ultimately forced to work as camel jockeys, beggars, or labourers, the report said.
Women and children are trafficked internally for the purposes of forced marriage, sexual exploitation, and involuntary servitude, it said, adding, The Government of Iran does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so.
The annual report downgraded Iran to a Tier 3 trafficking country after persistent, credible reports of Iranian authorities punishing victims of trafficking with beatings, imprisonment, and execution.
Iran now joins 11 other nations regarded as the worst offenders on the blacklist.
The Government of Iran did not improve its protection of trafficking victims this year, it said, adding, Child victims of commercial sexual exploitation reportedly have been executed for their purported crime of prostitution or adultery. For instance, one 16-year-old sex trafficking victim was hanged publicly by religious authorities who accused her of engaging in “acts incompatible with chastity.” The governor of the town later congratulated the religious leader for his firm approach.
