IOM Colombia and the Ricky Martin Foundation, with funding from the Dutch Embassy in Bogotá, have launched a counter trafficking information campaign to warn potential Colombian migrants to be on the lookout for unscrupulous traffickers whose earnings thrive on broken dreams.

The main focus of the new campaign is to bring unbiased and factual information to migrants planning to migrate through irregular channels on the risks of being duped with fake job offers, which can end up in sexual exploitation, forced labour, and servile marriage.

The campaign involves Public Service Announcements (PSAs) on television featuring Ricky Martin, radio PSAs, a short film "Natalia is leaving," which will be shown in cinemas, and posters that will be displayed at airports and bus terminals. A group of mime actors will also perform short plays in ten cities around the country.

To carry the message even further, IOM has engaged the support of the private sector and well-known personalities, in addition to providing the media with press kits containing relevant information on the campaign and background information on the Colombian counter-trafficking law and on trafficking in the country in order to help ensure responsible reporting of the issue.

At the official launch held in the National Museum in Bogotá, Diego Beltrand, IOM chief of mission, said the large turnout was "proof of the commitment of the country and the international community to uphold the dreams of all Colombians."

Colombian Minister of Interior and Justice, Sabas Pretelt de la Vega, said the President and First Lady were passionately committed to fighting human trafficking and confessed: "When I first joined the government, I had no idea of the extent of human trafficking in the world or in our country. But the work of the past few years and our new counter trafficking law is providing more support to the victims.

The victims need to know that it is not their fault even if he or she willingly accepted the bogus offer."

The Colombian Inter-institutional Committee against Trafficking in Persons and the Inter-American Development Bank also supports Don´t Let Anyone Shatter Your Dreams.

According to research published in 2006 carried out by the Administrative Department of Security (DAS), the National Police and IOM, more than 200 Colombians were victims of trafficking between 2002 and 2004. However, IOM believes that this figure is not a true reflection of the scale of trafficking as most victims don't seek help, may not be aware that they are victims of trafficking, or because they are afraid of the traffickers.

A Call Centre that was established in 2003 as part of IOM's first information campaign on human trafficking in Colombia has received more than 15,000 calls. Anyone who wants help, information, or who wants to report an incidence of trafficking can call toll free inside Colombia (01 8000 522020), or from anywhere in the world (57 1 6001035).

For further information, please call:

Rocio Sanz
IOM Colombia
Tel: +57.311 5619495 / 57.1.622 77 74 ext. 114
Email: rsanz@oim.org.co