Baku - January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month in the USA. Since 2010, January has been a time to acknowledge those experiencing enslavement and those who have escaped. Human traffickers generate hundreds of billions of dollars in profits by trapping millions of people in horrific situations around the world. Traffickers use violence, threats, deception, debt bondage, and other manipulative tactics to force people to engage in commercial sex or to provide labor or services against their will.

In recognition of this important topic, IOM works in partnership with governments, the United Nations, international and non-governmental organizations, the private sector and development partners on all aspects of counter-trafficking responses – prevention, protection, and prosecution.

Over the last year, Azerbaijan has been a supplier, transit country and destination country for men, women and children who have been subjected to forced labor and sexual slavery. According to the statistics for 2019 provided by the shelters supported by IOM Azerbaijan 72 victims of trafficking, 628 persons vulnerable to trafficking in person were provided with shelter and reintegration assistance.

IOM Mission in Azerbaijan takes a comprehensive approach to addressing human trafficking. This includes capacity development, preventing human trafficking and protecting victims.

In 2019, IOM Mission in Azerbaijan in cooperation with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Main Department on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings started public campaign to raise awareness about human trafficking at the local level, within the project “Enhancing Cooperation Measures to Effectively Combat Trafficking in Persons Through Capacity Building and Technical Assistance in Azerbaijan-Phase VI” funded by the U.S Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotic and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).

The awareness raising campaign that continues the current year targets both vulnerable groups and the general public in Azerbaijan.

Vladimir Gjorgjiev, IOM Chief of Mission in Azerbaijan explained: “Public campaigns to raise awareness about human trafficking which addresses both sexual and labour exploitation as a prevalent form of modern day slavery is a part of IOM Azerbaijan ongoing initiatives, funded by USAID, that aims to support governments, civil society organizations, international organizations, and the private sector to combat human trafficking in Azerbaijan. These types of information campaigns will continuously be part of IOM Mission’s ongoing awareness raising initiatives on combating human trafficking in the country.”

Through capacity development IOM Azerbaijan to strengthen the capacity of the Government of Azerbaijan in effectively countering the human trafficking and protecting victims of human trafficking. It also aims to support civil society organizations, international organizations, and the private sector to combat human trafficking. This includes support to strengthen policies and procedures to facilitate the identification, referral, and protection and assistance of trafficked persons; improvements to anti-trafficking legislation and regulations and their implementation; and advisory services to private sector entities aiming to eliminate exploitation from their operations and supply chains.

“IOM Azerbaijan assists the Government of Azerbaijan and the civil society in combating trafficking in human beings by improving the protection of victims of trafficking and individuals vulnerable to trafficking through the provision of direct assistance and VoTs shelter upgrade. We also promote continuation of dialogue and strengthen coordination and communication between individuals vulnerable to trafficking and the civil society organizations, relevant state agencies and private sector on practical aspects related to the provision of grants to VoTs and individuals at risk of trafficking for their reintegration into society,” said Vladimir Gjorgjiev, IOM Chief of Mission in Azerbaijan.