October 2005
CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE
   

IOM to Hold CT Experts' Briefing on 5 October

Staffers prepare for experts' briefing

IOM Ankara this month holds an experts’ briefing on counter-trafficking developments. The one-hour briefing scheduled for 11 a.m. 5 October (Wednesday) at UN House in Ankara will focus on counter-trafficking trends, progress and challenges. The background briefing is designed for donors, government policy makers, embassy officials working on counter-trafficking and key personnel at international organizations. IOM will be holding a series of separate briefings for the media throughout the fall, as press will not be included in this session. The past year has seen substantial developments in the counter-trafficking arena, including the launch of Turkey’s 157 helpline, the opening of a second shelter for trafficked persons in Ankara and dramatic shift in media coverage. The briefing is designed to go beyond these and other big developments to identify new developments and substantial challenges in combating trafficking in Turkey. Topics on the agenda include the latest on law enforcement, the new profile and conditions of trafficked persons and shifts in public perceptions and media.

...As New Data and Analysis Project Set to Launch

IOM this month announces a new one year project to step up collection and analysis of counter-trafficking data within the Black Sea Region. The project to be funded through IOM’s Geneva-based “1035 Facility” is scheduled to begin 1 Dec. It will be implemented within the framework of Turkey’s cooperation with the member states of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation organization (BSEC). The centerpiece of the project is the establishment of an office staffed by a full-time researcher who, in addition to data collection and analysis duties, will coordinate cooperative research by outside experts. The target group for this project is BSEC policy makers, law enforcement authorities and other interested actors within the counter-trafficking field. Access to quality data has been recognized by the international community, and Turkey, as an essential element of a well-coordinated response to trafficking in persons. The project is specifically designed to work towards developing real-time counter-trafficking regional data and analysis. The project is further recognition of the importance of regional strategies in Turkey’s efforts to combat trafficking.

Trabzon Workshop on CT Scheduled for Mid-October

Trabzon event follows Istanbul workshop (above)

NGOs, government officials and other key actors will gather in Trabzon this month for a two-day working session to identify local strategies for combating trafficking. The two-day workshop, to be held Oct 12-13 at the Buyuk Sumela Hotel in the Trabzon village of Macka, will raise trafficking awareness and develop specific actions to combat trafficking in the Trabzon region. The meeting is a follow-up to the two-day Istanbul 16-17 June workshop on developing a strategic framework for building NGO capacity. That workshop was funded by the Swedish Consulate in Istanbul, which is co-funding the Trabzon event with the U.S. government. A key conclusion from the Istanbul event was the need to develop community based counter-trafficking strategies, or “local solutions to local problems.’’ Turkey’s diversity rules out the development of a “one-size-fits-all” counter-trafficking approach in areas such as raising public awareness and law enforcement, according to a key finding of the conference.

Law Enforcement Project Moves into High Gear

IOM's Meltem Ersoy and Yelda Devlet coordinate project

The Royal Netherlands Embassy-funded law enforcement project will see two big developments this month, selection of the project research team and the first meeting of a government working group. The IOM coordinated project, launched last month, will write a law enforcement strategic plan to combat trafficking in human beings. The project is working closely with the Turkish authorities to assess needs, gaps and goals for improving CT law enforcement activities. Specifically, the project will implement a comprehensive situational analysis and capacity assessment. That will be the focus of a tender this month to select a qualified expert team to conduct the assessment and situational analysis. Recommendations and conclusions are required to be endorsed by key Turkish ministries. IOM later this month is scheduled to announce the first meeting of a high-level government working group, charged with oversight of project activities.

IOM to Work on Selection of 157 NGO

IOM this month takes a big step towards selecting an NGO to administer the 157 helpline for trafficked individuals. First, Oct. 7 marks the application deadline for proposals from qualified NGOs to run the helpline. The funding application and guidelines can be downloaded from www.countertrafficking.org. IOM will review applications under a blind assessment process according to criteria listed in the tender documents. Second, the successful applicant will be advised of a decision by 14 October, 2005. IOM has operated the 157 helpline since project launch on 23 May, and is scheduled to turn over administration to a qualifed NGO by 23 November. Helpline operations are co-funded by the U.S. Government and the Swedish Agency for International Development Cooperation.

Iranian Refugees Headed for Australia

IOM's Enver Sahin works on orientation

Twelve refugees are headed to Australia next month with assistance from IOM. The Iranian refugees will first take part in 3-day cultural orientation conducted by IOM staffer Enver Sahin, a Australian/Turkish national who spent 26 years living and working in Australia. The orientation includes issues such as laws rights and obligations, employment and education. This year IOM has assisted approximately 250 refugees under the Refugee/Family reunification program operated in cooperation with the Australian Embassy.


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