Peregraf- The Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) Office of the Coordinator for International Advocacy revealed that human trafficking in the Kurdistan Region has nearly doubled, with 79 individuals arrested on related charges last year. Overall crime across the region also rose by 16%, according to the latest government data.
The figures were released today during a forum discussing the outcomes of the KRG’s Human Rights Plan (2021–2025), where the Coordinator’s Office presented an annual report outlining government efforts and activities in the field of human rights.
According to the report, the overall crime rate in 2024 increased by 16% compared to 2023. However, crimes involving minors showed a notable improvement, dropping by 25% during the same period.
The report further revealed a sharp increase in human trafficking cases, with 396 incidents recorded in 2024—nearly double the figure from the previous year. Forced labor cases rose from 17 in 2021 to 49 in 2024, while sex trafficking increased from 9 cases in 2021 to 25 in 2024. Organ trafficking also saw a dramatic spike, climbing from 54 cases in 2022–2023 to 103 cases last year.
In response, the KRG said it has intensified efforts to combat human trafficking, including organizing 27 specialized training courses in 2024 for staff of relevant institutions. The government has also launched direct hotlines for reporting human trafficking and related violations to improve prevention and response mechanisms.