As part of ongoing efforts to raise awareness in the general public
on the issue of human trafficking, IOM and Tajikistan's
Inter-Ministerial Commission on Combating Trafficking in Persons
will organize a series of events with the support of local artists
on 15 and 16 April.

The premiere of "Slavery Can Be Avoided", a hard-hitting play
depicting the plight of victims of trafficking will take place in
Dushanbe on 15 April and will be followed the next day by a concert
entitled "No to Trafficking in Persons", which will bring together
famous Tajik pop stars.

"We're delighted that these events have received the support of
local artists," says Abdusattor Esoev, IOM's acting Chief of
Mission in Tajikistan. "This will allow us to broaden the range of
activities that we have undertaken with the Tajik government with
financial support from the United States Agency for International
Development."

Tajikistan is a source country for women trafficked to the
United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iran for the
purpose of commercial sexual exploitation. Men are trafficked to
Russia for labour exploitation, primarily in the construction and
agricultural industries. Tajik victims are often trafficked through
Kyrgyzstan before reaching their final destination. Internal
trafficking includes that of boys and girls for forced labour,
including begging.

For further information, please contact:

Abdusattor Esoev

IOM Dushanbe

Tel: +992 372 21 03 02

E-mail: "mailto:aesoev@iom.tajnet.com">aesoev@iom.tajnet.com