BAKU, 11 December 2007 - Developing a comprehensive response to human trafficking in Azerbaijan is the aim of new project that was launched with a workshop in Baku today.

The project, which is funded by the European Commission, will be implemented by the OSCE, the International Labour Organization, and the International Centre for Migration Policy Development over a period of two years.

"The project offers concrete measures to fight human trafficking in Azerbaijan by contributing to and enhancing the National Action Plans and the legal framework against trafficking, and by fostering regional and international co-operation," said Ambassador Jose Luis Herrero Ansola, the Head of the OSCE Office in Baku.

The project will involve labour market institutions in preventive action and improve identification, protection and assistance of victims trafficked for the purpose of sexual and labour exploitation. It will increase the capacity of national authorities to detect and prosecute criminal offences linked to all forms of human trafficking as well as improve victim identification and mechanisms for protection and assistance.

The project will also raise awareness of potential victims and involve workers and employers in preventive action.

Since human trafficking mainly occurs in the context of irregular migration, the project proposes a range of measures aimed at promoting legal migration. It will contribute to developing closer co-operation among government agencies, the Interior Ministry's anti-trafficking unit, social partners and NGOs in Azerbaijan and in destination countries.

Published in: "Press Release: OSCE Helps Develop Comprehensive Anti-Trafficking Response in Azerbaijan," The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), 11 December 2007.