IOM Launches New Information Campaign on Safe Migration and Prevention of Human Trafficking and Violence Among Irregular Migrants
On 15 of October was held the press-conference dedicated to the launch of the information campaign on safe migration and prevention of human trafficking and violence among irregular migrants.
The campaign aims at forming the understanding of such notions as “gender-based sexual violence”, “human-trafficking; at increasing awareness of consequences of irregular migration and human-trafficking among representatives of the target audience and informing them on possible assistance that is provided by the competent organization on the territory of Belarus.
The information campaign is organized within the EU/UNDP project “Supporting the Republic of Belarus in addressing irregular migration and promoting human rights of vulnerable migrants”. The project is funded by the European Union and being implemented jointly by the State Border Committee, International Organization of Migration (IOM), Mission in the Republic of Belarus, Representations of UNDP and UNHCR in the Republic of Bealrus in partnership with the following public associations: Belarusian Association of Young Christian Women (BAYCW), Gender Perspectives, Belarusian Society of Red Cross (BSRC), “Business Women Club” of Brest.
The information campaign was also supported by representatives of business sector: producer of water “Slavnaya (LLC “Abroniks”) and the taxi company (LLC “Taxi Pyatnitsa”). LLL “Abroniks” has produced 5000 bottles with specially desinged label with campaing’s leaflet. 2000 bottles will be disseminated by IOM Minsk at issue-related events and 3000 will be disseminated by the taxi company among their clients.
Within the framework of the information campaign were produced a social videp reel that will be demonstrated on national TV-channels and information materials (flyer, leaflet, banners for bus stops, magnets, hangers,etc), that will be distributed via different channels.
Other component of the campaign that deserves attention is a series of 4 videos named “Migrant’s Glossary”. Into their creation were involved well-known public persons of Belarus: sportsmen – Alla Tsuper, Anton Kushnir, Olga Barabanschikova, Melitina Stanyuta, etc and singers, showmen, TV hosts, designers – German, Marina Gritsuk, Teo, Ivan Aiplatov,etc. All videos can be watch on IOM official YouTube-channel (www.youtube.com/IOMBelarus).
Among the speakers at the press-conference were partners of the project and campaign – Delegation of the European Union in the Republic of Belarus, UNDP, State Border Committee and PA “Business Women Club” that manages hotline on safe travel and stay abroad, representatives of LLC “Abroniks” and the taxi company “Pyatnitsa”; German, singer and TV-host.
Andrea Wiktorin, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Belarus highlighted that issues of human trafficking is very high on the agenda of the European Union.
A report on victims and perpetrators of trafficking, released by the European Commission on the occasion of the 8th EU Anti Trafficking Day on the 18th of October last year, states that EU Member States registered 30,146 victims of trafficking during 2010-2012.
We, the EU, are well aware that these figures are only the tip of the iceberg, since the detection of this type of crime is rather difficult also because victims are often brutally intimated or not willing to cooperate with the authorities for different reasons.
The EU will do all in its power to make the life hard for the criminals. Every life saved from abuse is a victory.
Zeynal Hajiyev, Chief of IOM Minsk Mission, pointed out that alongside with the information campaign IOM has other tasks within the project such as
introducing standard operation procedures on prevention and response to human-trafficking and gender-based violence towards migrants as well as developing of mechanisms of provision of legal and social assistance to survivors in compliance with international agreements and national legislation using the expertise of IOM and other project partners.
The campaign is to start on 19th of October.
