Counter-Trafficking

    IOM Turkey is active in every part of the counter-trafficking field, prosecution of criminal traffickers, protection of trafficked persons and trafficking prevention. IOM is currently implementing a $700,000 U.S. funded counter-trafficking program coordinated by the Turkish government. The one-year project is aimed at preventing trafficking in human beings through a nationwide information and awareness campaign, law enforcement training and direct assistance to trafficked individuals. Potential trafficked individuals are receiving information at key border crossings. These handouts include facts on the danger signs of trafficking and include the three-digit national toll-free 157 telephone helpline for emergency assistance. The campaign targets the general public with television and radio advertisements and an informational web site. Other parts of the campaign include training of trainers for 150 law enforcement personnel, including police and gendarmerie, on the realities and causes of human trafficking. The goal is increased prosecutions of traffickers and protection of trafficked individuals through expanded identification. In the direct assistance area, shelter, medical and other services is being made available to a minimum of 50 trafficked individuals. Funding is included for training and improved operations of the shelter for trafficked persons operated by the Human Resources Development Foundation in Istanbul. Also provided is funding for return, travel and reintegration.


Capacity Building

    Sustainability is the essential ingredient for IOM program activities. Through its ongoing counter-trafficking programs, IOM is laying the foundation for the development of a sustainable network of nongovernmental organizations devoted to combating trafficking. These activities include an expert assessment of NGO capacity, strategic recommendation and an outcomes-based workshop aimed at solidifying long-term goals and the means for achieving them. The NGO program is being funded through the U.S. Government and the Swedish consulate in Istanbul. Training is also a major part of IOM activities. In 2004, IOM participated in eight trainings on countertrafficking for Turkish law enforcement. A minimum of seven trainings are planned for 2005. The number of trafficked individuals identified by law enforcement increased dramatically after the trainings, from three in 2002 to 266 in 2004.




Help Line

Shelter

Trainings

USAID



Help Line - Information and Awareness

    The initiative funds the first nationwide information and awareness campaign about the realities of human trafficking in Turkey. Potential trafficked individuals are receiving information at key border crossings and in the communities and locations where they can be reached. These handouts include key facts on the danger signs of trafficking and include the three-digit national toll-free telephone helpline (157) for emergency assistance and information. A television commercial advertising the helpline is also being aired in key source countries, such as Moldova, and on Turkish music television channels viewed by trafficked individuals. The helpline can be called anywhere, anytime from any phone, including mobiles. The campaign also targets the general public with television and radio advertisements and an informational web site on human trafficking in Turkey, www.countertrafficking.org.


Shelter - Direct Assistance

    The program provides shelter, medical and other assistance to up to 150 trafficked individuals. Funding is included for training and improved operations of the shelter for trafficked persons operated by the Human Resources Development Foundation in Istanbul. Also provided is funding for return, travel and reintegration to home countries. Trafficked persons are often stripped of all identification, including passports, once they cross the Turkish border.


Training activities

    IOM is providing or participating in training to Government entities on migration issues, in particular on Counter-Trafficking and Irregular Migration as well as on IOM’s role and mandate in assisting governments and migrants.

  1. IOM has participated in 8 trainings on Counter Trafficking which was organized by HRDF (Turkish NGO partner) in 2004. IOM provided and funded resource persons and gave a technical support.

    2. 26-27, 29-30 January 2004 2 trainings for Ministry of Justice in Istanbul
    25-26-27 February 2004 General Directorate of Security, Ministry of Interior in Istanbul
    31 March-02 April 2004 General Directorate of Security, Ministry of Interior in Ankara
    11-13 October 2004 General Directorate of Security, Ministry of Interior in Bursa
    18-20 October 2004 General Directorate of Security, Ministry of Interior in Erzurum
    29 November-01 December 2004 General Directorate of Security, Ministry of Interior in Antalya
    02-03 December 2004 Ministry of Justice in Antalya


  2. IOM itself organized three trainings for General Command of Gendarmerie on Combating Trafficking in 2004.

    3. 14-16 April 2004 Istanbul
    31May-03June 2004 Rize
    23-26 November 2004 Adana


    Training Program:

    1. The international Legal definitions of the crimes Trafficking in Persons and Migrant Smuggling and case studies on that
    2. Human Trafficking process

    3. IOM Activities in the field of CT

    4. Gendarmerie activities

    5. National Legislation in Turkey as well as the Violation of HR

    6. Turkey's situation on trafficking and its activities

    7. Identification of VoT and Treatment of VoTs

    8. Lilya 4-ever film

    9. Treatment of victim as witness

    10. Investigation Methods & Technics

    11. The intelligence on Traffciking

    12. Case studies from Turkey and from abroad

    13. The Role of NGOs and the cooperation between IOs, NGOs and law enforcement

    14. CT in a source country


  3. In addition to that IOM has participated in several trainings of UNHCR for Police, Gendarmerie, and Judges/Prosecutors and covered the Trafficking topic.

  4. IOM participated in CIMIC and PFP trainings and also covered trafficking and migration topics.


    We also make presentations when we are invited to the seminars/panels on trafficking.

    Training Activities in 2005

  1. Seminar to the CIS and some Easter European countries on “Assistance to the victims of trafficking in Turkey” took place in Ankara on 04 February 2005.
  2. Seminar to the Ministry of Justice (judges and prosecutors) on Prosecution-Bringing the criminals to the court” took place in Ankara on 09 February 2005.
  3. Orientation at Gendarmerie Command School for 1500 officers and students on Counter Trafficking took place on 24 February 2005 in Ankara.
  4. Shelter Management Training for Human Resources Development Foundation took place between 21-23 March 2005 in Istanbul.
  5. Minimum three, maximum five trainings are planned for General Command of Gendarmerie in 2005. First one in Istanbul between 21-24 March 2005.
  6. Training of trainers for NGOs under capacity building activities is planned in 2005.
  7. Hotline operator training is planned in the first half of 2005.


    "Counter-Trafficking Workshop", 16-18 May 2005, Antalya

    The International Organization for Migration, in close cooperation with the Gendarmerie General Command, has organized the 5th Counter Trafficking Workshop on 16-18 May 2005 in Antalya. 40 Gendarmerie General Command personnel and 2 Anti-Smuggling and Organized Crime Department personnel participated in the training program that covered the Mediterranean Region. Within the framework of the program the international definition of human trafficking and migrant smuggling, the causes consequences and mechanisms of human trafficking, identification of and treatment of victims, national legislation, investigation methods and techniques, the victim as a witness, intelligence in human trafficking, Counter Trafficking activities, counter trafficking activities in Turkey including the non-governmental organizations, relation between the victim of trafficking and refugee are dealt with.

    The British New Scotland Yard, representatives from the Ministries of Justice and Foreign Affairs, the UNHCR and the HRDF representative have made considerably useful presentations. It was asserted that in Antalya and the near region human trafficking was taking place the most intensive and organized and cooperative work on this respect would mentioned. The changes in the new penal code were handled and it was agreed on the benefits on combat organized crime the implementation would bring and that the problems should be followed-up.

    Apart from its activities on suçla mücadele, the Gendarmerie General Command is continuing its active work on informing the public and potential victims. Approximately 200 gendarmerie personnel have participated in Counter Trafficking Trainings and in 2004, 148 victims of trafficking were identified and the offenders were brought before the court.



USAID

    "Counter-Trafficking Now!" is a one-year 2005 project aimed at preventing trafficking in human beings. The Turkey-based project focuses on a nationwide information and awareness campaign and stepped up law enforcement. Safe housing and other assistance to trafficked persons is also part of the $700,000 USD initiative. The project is coordinated by the Turkish Government, funded by the U.S. Government and implemented by the International Organization for Migration.


    Law Enforcement:

    Stepped up law enforcement is essential in efforts to combat human trafficking. The project is training 150 law enforcement personnel, including police and gendarmerie, on the realities and causes of human trafficking. Trainings include key laws affecting trafficking, identification of trafficked persons as well as investigative and interview techniques. The goal is increased prosecutions of traffickers and protection of trafficked individuals through expanded identification. Trafficked individuals too often go unidentified, undercutting efforts to provide protection, assistance and prosecute their traffickers. Language training is being provided to enhance cooperation between Turkish law enforcement and their international counterparts.


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