Protection

An important part of IOM work is ensuring the protection of migrants’ rights. Some migrants belong to inherently vulnerable categories, while others could find themselves in vulnerable situations, and be in need of specialized protection and assistance. These include:

• Victims of trafficking
• Migrants vulnerable or victims of violence, exploitation and abuse
• Separated or unaccompanied migrant children
• Refugees and asylum seekers
• Stateless persons
• Displaced and stranded migrants
• Migrants caught in crisis,
• Minority groups
• Individuals with diverse sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics
• Women, the elderly, disabled, and youth

During crisis situations or complex migration flows, it is particularly important to identify the specific needs of vulnerable migrants to provide them with assistance and protection. In order to assist migrants, IOM Türkiye works to strengthen institutional capacities of government stakeholders, enhance cooperation and coordination at national and regional levels, and provide direct assistance and protection to those in need.

IOM Türkiye’s protection activities aim to reduce protection risks of individuals in vulnerable situations, and in particular those who are exposed to abuse, exploitation, violence, neglect and deliberate deprivation. It does so by addressing protection threats and vulnerabilities while increasing the capacities of individuals, their communities as well as those of their duty bearers. Working in partnership with other stakeholders, IOM responds through the following six pillars:

• Direct assistance
• Training and capacity development
• Data, research and learning
• Convening and dialogue
• Advocacy and communications
• Provision of thematic guidance