H O T L I N E

The “H o t l i n e” (tel.: 152 and 562-21-12), which operates under the direct authority of the Main Department for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, commenced its operations in October 2007.

The 152 Hotline provides an information and advisory service to persons affected by the crime of human trafficking, to presumed and potential victims of trafficking, and in particular to women and children, with the aim of offering assistance and support.

Mandate and Functions of the “Hotline”

The mandate of the Hotline is to provide an information and advisory service aimed at combating human trafficking and assisting persons affected by this crime, particularly women and children.

The main functions of the Hotline are as follows:

· To prevent human trafficking and related threats;

· To provide assistance to persons affected by human trafficking;

· To offer necessary advice to individuals seeking employment, education, travel, or leisure abroad, as well as those intending to marry foreign nationals;

· To ensure the timely provision of telephone-based psychological assistance to citizens, regardless of their place of residence or social status;

· To ensure a confidential and reliable dialogue with every individual requesting assistance or consultation;

· To direct callers to the competent authorities or institutions for the professional handling of their requests.

Activities of the “Hotline”

The Hotline receives telephone calls free of charge, 24 hours a day, every day of the week, and ensures their confidentiality.

The Hotline operator shall:

· Conduct the conversation properly and in a benevolent manner, in a manner that inspires trust and conveys care, regardless of the caller’s psychological condition;

· Clarify the motivation and purpose of the caller’s request;

· Provide appropriate guidance when the caller has difficulty making a decision;

· Work jointly with the caller to develop a strategy for overcoming a conflict or crisis situation;

· Where necessary, advise the caller to seek assistance from an appropriate specialist (psychologist, lawyer, etc.) and provide information on the services offered by the relevant institutions (medical, legal, social, etc.) and their locations;

· Prepare statistical record sheets for telephone consultations and maintain an individual case log for each caller. All documentation is completed immediately after the call and kept in a designated secure location.

Coordination and Oversight of the Activities of the “Hotline”.

· The coordination of the activities of the Hotline with relevant State authorities, non-governmental organizations, and international institutions, as well as oversight of its operations, is carried out by the National Coordinator on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings.

· The unlawful collection of confidential information about a person affected by human trafficking, or the intentional disclosure of such information, entails liability as prescribed by the legislation of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

· The Hotline conducts its activities in close cooperation with non-governmental organizations specialized in combating human trafficking.

· The security of the Hotline and its staff is ensured by the structural unit of the Main Department for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings at the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Management of the “Hotline”.

The Hotline is managed by a Director. Within the scope of their authority, the Director:

· Provides overall management of the Hotline’s activities, organizes its operations, and bears responsibility for the proper performance of assigned duties and functions;

· Takes necessary measures to ensure the confidentiality of information received by the Hotline and ensures compliance with the confidentiality regime.