"HOPE AND ASSISTANCE" SHOWS ASSISTANCE TO 25 VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING
Noyan Tapan
Dec 26 2006
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 26, NOYAN TAPAN. The International Organization for
Migration (IOM) implemented the "Anti-Trafficking Struggle in Armenia"
program the results of which were summed up on December 26. As Jemma
Muradian, the acting office head of the IOM Armenia mentioned, the
program has been implemented since September, 2005, by financing of
the Anti-Narcotic Struggle and Legal Cooperation Department of the
U.S. Embassy to Armenia. In her words, the "Hope and Assistance"
and "Internews" public organizations were the main partners of the
program with total cost of 200 thousand U.S. dollars. J.Muradian
mentioned that a hot line with 0-800-80-801 phone number functions
within the framework of the program, anti-trafficking information
centers opened in Gyumri, Goris and Vanadzor. Besides, courses for
attorneys were organized. Yenok Shatvorian, the "Hope and Assistance"
NGO Chairman stated that medical, psychological and legal assistance
was shown to 25 victims of trafficking. In his words, 21 from those
victims are RA citizens, and 4 ones are citizens of Ukraine.
11 of them became victims of trafficking in Turkey, 8 people in the
United Arab Emirates, 4 ones in Armenia and 2 in Russia. 23 ones among
the 25 victims of trafficking were subject to sexual exploitation,
and 2 ones to working exploitation. It was also mentioned that they
again addressed to the U.S. Embassy to Armenia to get corresponding
financing to continue the program in 2007.