During the period March – July 2007, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Mission to the Republic of Moldova in partnership with Moldavian Christian Aid, the Moldovan Orthodox Church - Moldovan Mitropolia, Russian Patriarchate), and the Moldovan Orthodox Church - Bessarabian Mitropolia, Romanian Patriarchate, the Union of Christian Evangelical Baptist Churches, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Republic of Moldova carried out 25 informative seminars for clergymen and employees of the social organizations affiliated to the churches. This activity was implemented under the aegis of the Inter-Denominational Coalition for the Prevention of Trafficking in Human Beings, in which all the Churches representing the majority faiths from the Republic of Moldova participate.The program is financially supported by the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM), US Department of State through the President’s Initiative to Combat Trafficking

IOM Moldova Chief of Mission, Martin Andreas Wyss, has underlined the importance of this programme: “The Church is the natural defender of the weak and the meek, the lonely and the despaired. The private suffering of those who are trafficked and those who survived trafficking needs to be recognized and acknowledged by the men of the cloth who perform the ceremonies in our Churches.”

Over 650 priests and clergymen (including monks and deacons) in addition to priests’ wives have involved themselves in trafficking prevention activities. Informative seminars have been held in several parts of the country incluidng Anenii Noi, Balti, Briceni, Cahul, Camenca, Chisinsu, Ciadir Lunga, Criuleni, Donduseni, Drochia, Falesti, Floresti, Glodeni, Edinet, Ocnita, Singerei, Soroca, Orhei, Stefan Voda, Tiraspol, and Ungheni.

These sessions were aimed at informing and sensitizing priests and clergymen about the risks of human trafficking, encouraging a tolerant attitude towards the victims from the laic and religious communities, and involving the clergy in promoting and working towards the prevention of human trafficking within communities.

In their work under this project, members of the clergy focus on young people, speaking about the dangers and effects of trafficking.

“If the Church and its members have more knowledge about the hidden wounds in these women’s souls, it will be better prepared to understand and assist them; it will be more open to reach out to them and to alleviate their suffering.”, added Martin Andreas Wyss.

The Chisinau Rehabilitation Centre for victims and potential victims of trafficking continually receives requests for assistance from priests and the La Strada Hotline (0 800 77777) actively cooperates with the clergy to facilitate the rescue and return of victims of trafficking. At the same time priests greatly contribute to reducing the rate of trafficking and re-trafficking by granting protection and assistance to trafficking victims during their reintegration back into society.

Video material based on the testimonies of victims trafficking has been developed by IOM, presenting the harsh reality experienced by these women. A guide entitled “Prevention of Trafficking in Human Beings through Clerical and Didactic Activities” has also been developed, which serves as a teaching tool for members of the clergy in their prevention activities with youth. The project focuses primarily on youth as IOM research has shown young people to be at greatest risk from trafficking.

The issue of sustainability has also been addressed within the project, with the priests participating in a grant competition for which they have submitted project proposals aimed at preventing human trafficking and identifying and supporting those at most risk of being trafficked. Seven projects have thus far been chosen for funding and implementation will begin during September 2007.

A further two phases of the grant competition are planned as part of this programme and a National Day of Prayer for those affected by migration and trafficking will take place in December of this year. The project will end in September 2008.

For additional information:
Rodica Okani
Public Information/Media Assistant
IOM Mission to Moldova
82, 31 August 1989 str., Infocenter
MD 2012 Chisinau, Moldova
Tel: +373 22 23 29 40 (ext.131)
Fax: +373 22 23 28 62
Email:rokani@iom.int
www.iom.md


Publication date: 08 October 2007   

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