Armenia raises problems of POWs at 23rd Conference of Alliance  against Trafficking in Persons 

ArmInfo.Armenia's Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Tatevik Stepanyan participated  in the 23rd Conference of the Alliance against Trafficking in Persons held in Vienna, an official report reads. 

High-ranking officials of various countries and representatives of  international organizations attended the discussion organized by the  Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).  Touching  upon Armenia's policy to fight against trafficking in persons, Ms  Stepanyan noted in her speech that this fight has remained the  Armenian government's priority. 

The official emphasized that, in response to the GRETA's  recommendations and in line with the 7th National Action Plan to  Combat Human Trafficking, Armenian Government implements necessary  actions in 3 main directions:

Improvement of the regulation of the legal field, Implementation of the protection and social support programs, Running of awareness campaigns and implementation of trainings.

In her speech, Ms Stepanyan said, in particular: 

"Violent conflicts and growing mistrust have inflicted serious damage  to international cooperation and concerted efforts in combating  various crimes, including the fight against human trafficking - one  of the most dangerous form of transnational organized crime and a  gross violation of human rights. In addition, while recognizing the  benefits of modern technologies, their misuse further exacerbates the  situation, expanding the range of threats and challenges associated  with human trafficking. The old methods and means employed by the  traffickers are supplemented by new ones.

"The fight against human trafficking has been and remains in the  focus of the Government of Armenia.  Armenia undertakes consistent  and systematic steps to develop effective anti-trafficking policy  including through regular updates and reality checks. 

"The comprehensive interagency approach and national mechanism on the  fight against human trafficking and exploitation in Armenia that  started back in 2002 was based  on the concept of preventing the  transportation, transfer and sale (trafficking) of people from  Armenia for the purpose of exploitation and abuse. In its seventh   triennial national program, which was adopted earlier this year, the  Government of Armenia prioritizes the implementation of most  effective preventive measures, identification of potential victims,  as well as improvement of the support and clarification of protection  mechanisms. Since 2020, the priorities of the Government have  significantly expanded to include the creation of support mechanisms  providing mental and physical assistance  to the population affected  by the use of force against the people of Nagorno Karabakh in 2020  and from then on by the  subsequent acts of  aggression against the  Republic of Armenia. Support is provided to particularly vulnerable  groups such as children, women, people with disabilities, forcibly  displaced population, making the fight against human trafficking and  exploitation more inclusive and comprehensive. Within the framework  of the adopted national policy, Armenia has undertaken the  responsibility to act properly to prevent, investigate and punish the  perpetrators of trafficking, as well as to protect and assist the  victims.

"Let me also draw the attention of colleagues to another important  aspect of human trafficking that continues to remain overlooked is  related to the nexus between trafficking in human beings and enforced  disappearances, especially during armed conflicts and in relation to  prisoners of war in particular, which, against the backdrop of recent  events in our region, is of particular relevance and urgency for my  country.

"Armenia also cooperates with UN, OSCE and Council of Europe, in  particular with Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in  Human Beings (GRETA) in combating human trafficking. After its last  monitoring visit to Armenia in 2021, GRETA published its Report on  Armenia, where, along with the acknowledgement of improvements in the  legislative and policy framework, GRETA focused on the human  trafficking victims' access to justice and effective remedies. GRETA  also welcomed the existence of specialized entities for combating  human trafficking within the Police and the Investigative Committee  of Armenia."

In briefly describing the Armenian government's actions to fight  human trafficking, Ms Stepanyan said. 

"First, a number of legislative reforms are continuously implemented  for regulation of the legal framework, with the main goal to bring  domestic legislation of Armenia closer to international standards. In  this regard, based on the requirements of the ILO Fundamental  Convention No. 29 "On Forced or Compulsory Labor" and the Council of  Europe Convention "On the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental  Freedoms", the Labor Code of Armenia defined the concept of  "compulsory or forced labor", as well as the scope of work that is  not considered as compulsary or forced. Additionally, on July 1, 2022  the new Criminal Code of Armenia entered into force, where the term  "exploitation" was clearly defined.

"Secondly, we have almost doubled the budget for the implementation  of social support and protection programs for the victims. Through  the delegated service by the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs of  the Republic of Armenia, the program entitled: "Social-psychological  rehabilitation of persons subjected to human trafficking and  exploitation and sexual violence" is implemented. The Program  provides all the necessary support to the victims, including cash  assistance.

"Finally, giving special significance to raising the awareness in the  fight against human trafficking, the Government of Armenia implements  large-scale awareness activities.

"In particular, 2 years ago Armenia has joined the "Blue Heart  Campaign", initiating the "Human Trafficking and Exploitation  Awareness and Prevention" information campaign. The Campaign starts  in July and continues till December 2, the International Day for the  Abolition of Slavery. Continuous trainings are carried out on the  issues related to trafficking in order to develop the capacities of  employees of state and territorial administration, local  self-government bodies and structures, who are in direct contact with  the population, including, the representatives of healthcare, and  justice system. There are also 24/7 hotlines across the country for  reporting human trafficking cases."

In conclusion, she stressed once again the importance of  international cooperation and collective efforts in combating human  trafficking and exploitation. Armenia stands ready to further  contribute to the global fight against the crime of human  trafficking, Ms Stepanyan said.