Country: Turkey

Committee: UNODC

Topic area: Human trafficking(Prevention of trafficking in

persons)

The Republic of Turkey is located in both Western Asia and Southeastern Europe. It borders Bulgaria,
Greece, Georgia, Armenia, Iran, Azerbaijan, Iraq, and Syria. Source countries for identified victims of
trafficking in 2008 included Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Moldova, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Georgia,
Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Romania, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Indonesia, and Morocco. Turkey is a
transit, destination and origin country of migration. In the citation index of UNODC (2006) Turkey
ranks medium risk as an origin, high risk as a transit and very high risk as a destination country.
Because of its unique geographical location bridging two continents and with a fast-developing
economy, Turkey has become a destination country.

Troublesome trends include rising unemployment and inflation, which increased in 2017, given the
Turkish lira’s continuing depreciation against the dollar. Although government debt remains low at
about 30% of GDP, bank and corporate borrowing has almost tripled as a percent of GDP during the
past decade, outpacing its emerging-market peers and prompting investor concerns about its long-term
sustainability.

Government of Turkey made significant efforts to eliminate trafficking. Turkish Government closely
cooperates with civil society to help and protect and assist the victims of trafficking in persons.
Article 80 of Turkey’s penal code prohibits both sex and labor trafficking and prescribes penalties of
eight to 12 years’ imprisonment. Article 227 of the Turkish Penal Code prohibits the facilitation of
child prostitution and prescribes penalties of four to 10 years’ imprisonment.

Victims identified in Turkey have also been victims of domestic violence or abuse in their countries
of origin. Some also come from orphanages or boarding schools, or have mental disabilities. Up until
July 2005, most trafficked persons rescued in Turkey were from eighteen to twenty-five years of age,
with an increasing number of minors, which may point to a new trend. Most are recruited through a
network of friends. The 3 most common types of human trafficking are sex trafficking, forced labor,
and debt bondage.

Taking note of the fact that human trafficking in Turkey is largely a cross-border phenomenon, the
authorities have chosen to fight human trafficking by reaching out to potential victims before they
leave their countries of origin. In coordination with offices in Moldova, Ukraine, and Romania,
Turkey is promoting the local helplines in the countries of origin as well as Turkey’s own 157
helpline. The 157 helpline is open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and is manned with
Russian, Romanian, English, and Turkish-speaking operators.

Since most victims of trafficking enter Turkey legally on tourist visas, this is the one chance Turkey
has to reach out to the potential victims of trafficking, giving them the phone number of the helpline
and informing them of the organizations in Turkey that can help them if they are in trouble.

To prevent from trafficking, government did many things. However, to eliminate trafficking forever
we have to work together. We should have information and knowledge of indicating criminals, be
able to report suspicions to law enforcement, volunteer and support anti-trafficking efforts in our
community, be connected with local, state, and federal government representatives, organize a
fundraiser and donate the proceeds and be well-informed. Also as a businessman or as a journalist or
as a attorney, we should work more and make efforts. Media play, law improvisation and increasing
job positions would help us to prevent it from happening.