Contributed by: Yuliya Gureyeva, Azerbaijan National VAW Monitor

With the support of the United States Embassy and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) conducted training for the future staff of a hotline and shelter for trafficked victims. The training was conducted between June 27 and July 6 with the assistance of visiting experts from Ukraine.

At the press conference on the results of the training, the Public Affairs Officer of the U.S Embassy in Baku Jonathan Henick stated that, “US government considers this problem as a modern day slavery, every year about 800 000 people become victims of trafficking.” He referred to the official figures provided by the Azerbaijan Ministry of Internal Affairs, according to which, 231 Azerbaijan nationals were trafficked last year. However, the U.S. official did not think that these figures reflect the reality. He saw the problem in the fact that the victims of trafficking are afraid to disclose the truth. In order to improve the situation, the U.S. Government allocated $350,000 USD to the Government of Azerbaijan.

Compiled from: "The Hot Line for Victims of Trafficking Will Be Opened in Baku Soon", APA News Agency, 7 July, 2006 (Last accessed 10 August 2006).