EU-supported hotline helps victims of human trafficking

148 human trafficking victims were saved when they dialed 157 – an EU-funded hotline that aims to prevent human trafficking, protect victims and punish the traders.

“Human trafficking is a problem that has gone beyond international borders,” said Zekeriya Şarbak, the deputy undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior. “With this campaign, it is once again emphasized that human trafficking is the new form of slavery in our modern day and the most severe violation of human rights.”

The helpline is part of a two-year project that supports Turkey’s efforts to combat human trafficking, implemented jointly by the International Organization of Migration with close cooperation with Turkish Ministries of Interior, Justice and Foreign Affairs.

The awareness campaign entitled “React to human trafficking, don’t be indifferent” was launched at the Foreign Affairs Ministry through the participation of thirty journalists and various stakeholders on June 30, 2008.

For the poster of the campaign, please click here.

For press release, please click here.