KULOB, July 29, 2009, Asia-Plus — The Kulob-based public association, Mayram, is a partner of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Mission in Tajikistan for implementation of the project, Combating Human Trafficking, in the Ziraki jamoat of the Kulob district and the Gulshan jamoat in the Farkhor district.
Speaking in an interview with Asia-Plus, the Mayram chairperson Mahbouba Sharipova said that their trainers explained potential labor migrants how to avoid bondage.
According to her, there were cases when recruitment middlemen promised fictive jobs in the Russian Federation. Men were promised hobs in the construction sector, while the reality turned out to be sheer exploitation. “Our trainers are explaining local residents various tricks used by such recruitment middlemen,” Sharipova said, noting that 155 people have visited the Mayram local offices in the mentioned jamoats.
IOM is the leading agency in Tajikistan on combating trafficking, and has projects to enhance capacity of law enforcement and judges to investigate, prosecute and judge human traffickers and protect the victims.
The Government of Tajikistan has recognized the existence of trafficking in persons from Tajikistan and IOM is building on the government’s readiness to combat trafficking by supporting human trafficking prevention interventions described under “Information and skills for labor migrants” as well as a program to support the development of a legislative base for effective investigation and prosecution of trafficking crimes and protect victims of human trafficking. In addition this program includes the elaboration of a training framework for law enforcement officials to investigate prosecute and deter crimes related to trafficking in persons.
IOM realizes all of human trafficking programs through an established set of NGO partners throughout the country.
