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Six Georgian Victims of Trafficking in Turkey

November 7, 2006

ruka1.gifSix hundred sixty six trafficked victims have been discovered in Turkey for the last three years. They are mostly from former soviet countries. Moldavian, Ukrainian and Russian girls take first three places in the list. According to 2006 data, Georgians are on the seventh place.

The 'Human Rights Centre' interviewed Ramazan Daysal, Chief Inspector for Combatting Illegal Migration and  Trafficking in Human Beings Unit within Turkish Interior Ministry.

Journalist:"We have been informed that Human Trafficking is great problem for Turkey. What are the statistics regarding the problem?"

Ramazan Deisal: "The problem is very crucial for us. Generally, Turkey is considered to be a destination country and not a transit one for human trafficking. It is an organized crime and we have established a special Institution to prevent the problem. It is coordinated by Turkish Interior Ministry."

"As for the statistics, in 2004 two hundred thirty five trafficked victims were discovered in Turkey: 62 of them were from Moldova, 61 were from Russia, 26 - from the Ukraine, 23 - from Azerbaijan, 19 - from Kazakhstan, 16 - Georgians, 11 - Rumanians, 9 - Kazakhs, 5 - Uzbeks and  3 - Belarusian."

"In 2005 we assisted two hundred twenty two victims. Sixty-nine among them were from the Ukraine, sixty were from Moldova, twenty-five were from Russia, one from Kyrgyz, eleven from Rumania, ten from Uzbekistan, eight from Kazakhstan, seven from Belarus, six from Turkmenistan, one from Armenia, one from Uganda and one from Bulgaria."

"Statistics in 2006 are the following: twenty-nine victims were from the Ukraine, sixty-nine were Moldavian, thirty-eight were Russians, twenty-four were Kyrgyz, eighteen were from Azerbaijan, fourteen - from Uzbekistan, one - from Kazakhstan, six-from Georgia, one-form Belarus, four-from Turkmenistan, one - from Armenia, two - from Iran, two - from Bulgaria."

"People particularly from former soviet countries [Georgia, Moldavia, Rumania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, the Ukriane, and Russia] arrive in Turkey to find some job."

Journalist: "Do those immigrants belong to risky-group, who arrive in Turkey to work and they have visas?"

R.D: "Experience shows that particularly, illegal migrants become victims of sexual trafficking in Turkey. Traffickers seize their passports and force them to work in sexual business. Traffickers blackmail victims that if they do not obey them, they would inform police and the police would detain and then deport them to their native country for illegal arrival. There are some other ways they use to blackmail women and force to obey their orders."

"We have established hot-line in Turkey for the purpose. Everyone can call this number and they will be assisted by operators who speak several languages. Thus victims can get trough police to escape traffickers."

Journalist:What kind of jobs do traffickers use to offer to their potential victims initially?

R.D. "young women arrive in Turkey legally [having visa in their passport] having been offered some well-paid job, the salary amounts to five hundred dollars a month. This sum is too large for Georgians and the rest too. However in Turkey, girls are distributed to hotels and to other secret houses instead of those promised jobs. Traffickers seize their passports and hereinafter victims are under their influence."

Journalist: "Turkey is one of the transit countries for trafficking. What other routes do you know?

R.D: 'We have not estimated Turkey as a transit country so far. However, in general, we know that the routs do exist. It can be the sea where people are taken by ferry, in car-boots and on foot too. Though the people who arrive in Turkey in this way, are legal visitors in the country and leave Turkey legally as well. 

Eka Gulua

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