A virtual campus created by IOM's Regional Office in Argentina
offers training for government officials working on human
trafficking issues.

The site – "http://campus.oimconosur.org/#material" target="_blank" title=
"">http://campus.oimconosur.org/#material – includes
training courses on human trafficking for sexual exploitation and
forced labour, provided free of charge to all government officials,
and information for the general public, including the latest
studies and publications on human trafficking in Argentina and the
world.

The on-line campus offers four training courses totalling 30
hours, and includes:

• Applying the Law – for judges, lawyers and public
  prosecutors – includes information on human trafficking and
  presents all international legal instruments available for its
  prosecution, discusses the legal challenges when conducting an
  investigation and provides advice and information on providing
  protection and assistance to victims.
• Crime Investigation – for police and other law
  enforcement personnel – focuses on the characteristics of the
  crime of human trafficking, and provides investigation techniques
  while emphasizing the ethical dimensions that must be kept in mind
  when investigating trafficking crimes and emphasizes the need to
  work with the judiciary and service providers.
• Assistance to Victims – for service providers –
  introduces human trafficking and its effects on the victims,
  provides advice and instructions on developing a successful
  assistance programme, keeping in mind the privacy and human rights
  of the victims.
• Workplace Control – for labour ministry inspectors
  – provides the skills and tools needed to identify
  exploitative labour situations that not only break national laws,
  but also may qualify as cases of human trafficking.

In March 2006, six Bolivian migrants died in a fire in a
sweatshop on the outskirts of the capital.  That tragic
incident brought to the fore the daily reality faced by many
migrants who, pushed by poverty and lack of information, accept
tempting offers from unscrupulous employers. These sweatshops are
regularly operated from private homes, which makes it harder for
authorities to inspect, shut down and fine the operators.

In April, Argentina passed Law 26.364 designed to prevent human
trafficking, prosecute traffickers and to provide assistance to the
victims.

According to an IOM exploratory study carried out in 2006,
Buenos Aires is a major destination point for international victims
of trafficking, as well as for those trafficked from inside the
country.  The study also revealed that some Argentinean
victims are trafficked to Spain. 

The study confirmed that brothel and nightclub owners do some of
their recruitment at a very personal level, through their
employees, including women who are providing sexual services to the
clients.  Other victims are falsely recruited by professionals
who prey on women in rural areas.  The IOM study found that in
Argentina, human trafficking takes place for sexual and labour
exploitation. 

Since 2005, IOM Buenos Aires has assisted 286 victims of
trafficking.

Government officials can register for the free on-line course
via email, "mailto:campus@iom.int">campus@iom.int, or by telephone by
calling the IOM office at tel. + 54.11.4322.7041.

For more information, please contact:

Gabriela Fernández

IOM Buenos Aires

Tel +54.11.4322.7041

E-mail: "mailto:gfernandez@iom.int">gfernandez@iom.int