Belarus launches campaign to combat human trafficking

         An awareness raising campaign aimed to prevent and combat human trafficking “Make decisions with open eyes” has kicked off in Belarus. The campaign was arranged jointly with the Interior Ministry and the Brest Businesswomen Club. It took a year to prepare it. The participants of the campaign made three videos featuring the most common situations that can happen to anyone who decides to go abroad “with closed eyes”. The activists believe that a trip abroad can be safer if travelers find out more information about their trip beforehand. The blindfold on the eyes of potential migrants is a symbol of a dangerous delusion about foreign employers or “princes”. This blindfold can be removed by calling 113, which is a toll-free information service on safe travels and migration. The information service has been operated since September 2011. It is administered be Gender Perspectives and the Brest Businesswomen Club. The service has received over 4,000 calls over this time. The most common questions are related to employment abroad, visa regulations, tourism, and marriage with a foreigner.