Topic: 2024-Human Trafficking
Country: Turkey
Delegate Name: Divyana Varma
A deep-seated issue, Human Trafficking remains a global challenge in need of international action. The Republic of Turkey is committed to abolishing this impediment to human rights. Due to its geo-political location and conflicts in neighboring countries, Turkey has become a destination country for a number of migrants. Ongoing conflicts in neighboring regions have further augmented this number, and larger influxes of refugees has heightened the need for international protection, specifically for human trafficking. Due to this, Turkey is constantly in search of durable solutions and international protection and aims to find these answers through international collaboration.
Though the government of Turkey does not meet the standards for the termination of human trafficking, the country has made significant efforts to do so. Turkey has ratified several different conventions enabling the prevention of trafficking and the protection of victims. Since December 2000, when Turkey endorsed the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime and its associate Protocols — including the Palermo Protocol—the country has actively worked to reinforce its efforts to combat human trafficking. In addition, Turkey also signed the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings on 19 March 2009. On a national level, imperative amendments have been integrated into legislation. Article 80 of Turkey’s penal code prohibits sex and labor trafficking, with penalties of imprisonment for terms of 8-12 years. Turkey’s Law on Work Permits of Foreigners monitors the employment of foreigners, preventing illegal employment and favoring access to the labor market for victims of human trafficking. In addition to prevention, Turkey has also stressed the protection of human trafficking victims. In 2013, the “Department for the Protection of Victims of Human Trafficking” was established. This department is responsible for outsourcing the operation helplines for victims and operating other projects related to human trafficking. Support services in alignment with this protection are offered. Turkey offers two key programs for individuals who have been victims of human trafficking: the Victim Support Program and the Voluntary and Safe Return Program. These initiatives provide victims with options for assistance, allowing them either to access support services within Turkey or to return to their home countries safely and voluntarily if they wish. Under the Victim Support Program, victims are granted a six-month humanitarian visa and a short-term residence permit to facilitate their recovery and participation in legal processes. These permits allow victims to access medical treatment, healthcare services, and legal assistance.
Turkey believes in finding long-term solutions to terminate the imminent dangers produced by human trafficking. Turkey recommends an extension of their already existing policies. One such recommendation concerning the protection of victims is to continue implementing projects to assist victims with recovery and stability. Victim support programs are necessary and should be put into effect. The main shortcoming of eliminating this issue is the lack of international cooperation. Turkey actively participates in regional and global initiatives to combat human trafficking and has engaged with various international organizations, including the Council of Europe, to address this issue. Preventing human trafficking requires more than isolated government actions or traditional international partnerships. Turkey emphasizes the need for a global response grounded in genuine cooperation and hopes to arrive at a meaningful resolution.
