How to avoid

Human trafficking or slavery is one of the most shameful and violent phenomenon of all times, the increase of which has unfortunately reached to dangerous proportions in the recent decade. Human trafficking, unlike other forms of organized crimes, such as drug dealings, weapons, stolen cars sales, provides incredible profits to the organizers with minimal risks. Whereas, the victims are expected to face violence, degradation, disease, shame, fear, and finally death.

In modern world, human trafficking may begin with such good intentions, as the hope of finding a beneficial job, having a basic salary, the opportunity to plan one’s own family life to live a satisfied life.

Continued unemployment and extreme poverty force people abandon countries of their origin looking for any type of job abroad, it just needs to be paid.

Not all job seekers abroad have enough information or experience about what they might face while accepting tempting offers:

Who are the recruiters and how do they find their victims?

• Acquaintances, friends, neighbours
• Random people, who offer invitations of work in the streets to the passers-by.
• Young people, who seducing girls lead them to wedding trips.
• Employment Agencies
• Travel Agencies
• Model or marriage agencies. The latter attract people by advertisements which promise well-paid job abroad or model’s crucial success in the “Wonderland.”

Who are the victims?

Men,women and children of different ages, professions and fate. In recent years, the demand for child prostitution has increased.

Among the reasons are.

• The presence of request among pedophiles and tourists.
• AIDS infection fear.
• Child’s prostitution promotion via Internet.

What is actually hidden behind the promises of  lucrative employment abroad?

• Prostitution
• Status of a Debtor
• Exploitation
• Isolation
• Resale
• Blackmailing

Men, women and children fallen into the hands of organized criminal groups, turn into a product which may be sold, paid in exchange of debts and after being used for multiple timesbe thrown away because of reprobation.

This phenomenon bears an international character and does not have national features.

“People’s sale is the recruit of people with the purpose of exploitation, transportation, transfer from hand to hand and concealing, obtaining people by means of threat, directly or by use of force and other coercive methods, such as kidnapping, deceit, lies, abuse of power or vulnerability situation, or through bribery in the forms of payments or benefits, which are given to a person under the supervision of which those people are in order to obtain the consent of that person. ”

“A protocol on prevention of buying and selling, prosecution and punishment of people especially women and children, in addition to the UN Convention about “International organized crime”:

Ppassports and documents taken away from people directly in the airport with various reasons later become a tool to intimidate and exploit them. Illegally filed or expired visa documents put a person into a vulnerable statein a foreign country. He/She can not return homewithout documents, even if he/she manages to escape. Because ofabsence of documentation and because of an expired visa,  police will immediately take her to immigration jail.

Even with existence of these predictions, it is difficult to imagine what consequences may the sale of people bring to.

Therefore, the only option left is  a thorough analysis and evaluation of the reality, as long as you have not accepted the decision to work abroad.  Life in native country can be difficult, but it is certainly preferable from prostitution and slavery risks expected  in foreign countries.At home you have a choice, you have a freedom.

Before accepting the tempting offer to work in a foreign country, study the inviting organization in details, its legal status and image.

If you have decided to accept the offer to work abroad, follow these tips:

• Take the working contract. Once getting it, consult with a lawyer. Try to get as much information as you can about a person or organization that offers you a job. Do not afraid to look distrustful, in this case it is fully justified.
• Do not trust your passport to anyone. Identification documents should always be with you no one has the right to take them from you.
• Photocopy all the documents, passport, contract, visa, photos and keep the copies with you. Leave the copies with your relatives and close friends.
• Do not forget to leave with them also your destination address and telephone number in a foreign country, as well as the phone number and address of the organization, agency or person, who has found a job for you.
• Find in the country where you are  the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations addresses and phone numbers, collect information about any of these countries non-governmental organizations and communities, locate acquaintances.
• Even an elementary knowledge of a foreign language, a few key phrases and words  will be a great help to you in the difficult situations.
• The duration of your visit to the territory of a foreign country ismentioned in entry permits. Your future stay  in a foreign country longer than mentioned in the visa puts you into an illegal status.
• After reaching the place, try to call home or one of the above-mentioned institutionsand tell them your whereabouts.
• While facing difficulties abroad, you should contact the following organizations:

 International Organization for Migration.

Russian Federation
Moscow, Second Zvenigorodskaya street 12
Tel.(+7095) 797 87 22

Turkey
Ankara, Birlik Magallesi 2, Kadde No. 11, Yildiz Kankaya, 06610
Tel.(+90312) 454 11 44, (+903312) 45471145/46
Stambul, IstiklalKad, Sekban Khan No. 73, 75, Deirev, 80070
Tel.(+90212) 293 50 00; (+90212) 293 13 38
Silopi, Yesiltepe Magallesi Beleldeye Kadesi.
Eni Saghlik Okaja Yani No. 16/17 73400 Silopi
Tel.(+90486) 518 17 74

German Federation
Berlin,Inselshstrasse 12, 10197
Tel.(+4930) 278 77 80
Bonn, P/օ 2001462, D-53144,
Tel.(+49228) 82 0940
Frankfurt (transit services)

Terminal 1, 201B/HBK 188, D-60549
Tel. (+49069) 690 73093

Greece
Atenk, P/a 430,GR- 17402 Alimos,
Tel.(+30109) 9190405

Embassies of the Republic of Armenia

Russian Federation
Moscow, Armyanksi lane 2,
Tel.(+7095) 924 12 69, (7095) 924 14 41

United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi, Khalifa St. 5454, P / օ, 6358,
Tel.(+9712) 676 92 22

Georgia 
Tbilisi, Tatelashvilu street 4.
Tel.(+99532) 95 17 23

German Federation
Berlin, Hilman Shtrasse 5 D 13467
Tel.(+4930) 405 09 110, 405 09 11 215

Greece
Athens, Singro street 159, 1st Floor, 17121 Nea Zmurni
Tel.(+301) 934 57 27