[2] Source countries for identified victims of trafficking in 2008 included Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Moldova, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Romania, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Indonesia, and Morocco.

[6] The 2019 GRETA report noted that most victims were returned to their home countries after 30 days, leading to a low conviction rate in the courts.

[9] The Government of Turkey demonstrated strong anti-trafficking law enforcement and prosecutorial efforts during the reporting period.

The Government of Turkey reported that, between 2004 and 2007, 32 public officials were subject to judicial action for assisting traffickers, mediating prostitution, or accepting bribes.

The government continued an investigation involving a prison warden who was arrested and jailed in February 2007 for misuse of authority and accepting bribes that facilitated trafficking.

[10] The government continued its victim assistance efforts; however international donors stepped in to help remedy a funding shortfall for one trafficking shelter during the reporting period.

A lack of consistent and guaranteed funding for Turkey’s trafficking shelters weakened the government’s overall protection efforts in 2007.

Compliance with international commitments made by the surrounding countries of Turkey regarding smuggling will help to prevent organized crime.

Turkey is an important destination for Armenian victims trafficked for sexual exploitation purposes, according to a 2007 joint study, “Republic of Armenia Law Enforcement Anti-Trafficking Training Needs Assessment,” by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), International Labour Organization (ILO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), as well as a 2007 OSCE assessment, “Trafficking in Human Beings in the Republic of Armenia,” though comprehensive statistics are difficult to obtain.

The government’s interagency task force met more frequently and developed a new National Action Plan, currently awaiting formal adoption.