|
G R E T A Group of Experts on Action |
GRETA(2023)11_ARM_rep |
Reply from Armenia
to the Questionnaire
for the evaluation of the implementation
of the Council of Europe Convention on Action
against Trafficking in Human Beings
Fourth evaluation round
Thematic focus: Addressing vulnerabilities to trafficking in human beings
Adopted by the Group of Experts on Action against
Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) on 30 June 2023
Reply submitted on 1 November 2024
Introduction
In accordance with Article 38, paragraph 1, of the Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (“the Convention”), GRETA evaluates the implementation of the Convention following a procedure divided into rounds. At the beginning of each round, GRETA selects the specific provisions on which the evaluation procedure is based.
The first round of monitoring of the Convention provided an overview of its implementation by States Parties. The second evaluation round of the Convention examined the impact of legislative, policy and practical measures on the prevention of trafficking in human beings (THB), the protection of the rights of victims of trafficking, and the prosecution of traffickers, paying particular attention to measures taken to address new trends in human trafficking, in particular trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation, and the vulnerability of children to trafficking. The third evaluation round focused on trafficking victims’ access to justice and effective remedies.
GRETA has decided that the fourth evaluation round of the Convention will focus on vulnerabilities to human trafficking and measures taken by States Parties to prevent them, detect and support vulnerable victims, and punish the offenders. This includes a focus on the use of information and communication technology (ICT), which brings structural changes to the way offenders operate and exacerbates existing vulnerabilities.[1]
A number of provisions of the Convention establishing substantive and procedural obligations are relevant to this topic. The concept of “vulnerability” appears in Articles 4 (definitions), 5 (prevention of trafficking in human beings) and 12 (assistance to victims) of the Convention. According to paragraph 83 of the Explanatory report to the Convention, “by abuse of a position of vulnerability is meant abuse of any situation in which the person involved has no real and acceptable alternative to submitting to the abuse. The vulnerability may be of any kind, whether physical, psychological, emotional, family-related, social or economic. The situation might, for example, involve insecurity or illegality of the victim’s administrative status, economic dependence or fragile health. In short, the situation can be any state of hardship in which a human being is impelled to accept being exploited. Persons abusing such a situation flagrantly infringe human rights and violate human dignity and integrity, which no one can validly renounce.”
GRETA refers to the ICAT Issue Brief No. 12/2022 on Addressing vulnerability to trafficking in persons which refers to vulnerability as “those inherent, environmental or contextual factors that increase the susceptibility of an individual or group to being trafficked”. It classifies vulnerability factors in three categories: personal (e.g. age, gender, ethnicity, disability), situational (e.g. destitution, unemployment, legal status) and contextual (e.g. discriminatory laws, policies and social norms, armed conflicts, crises) factors, which interact and may increase the risk of human trafficking for certain individuals, groups and/or communities.[2] Vulnerability to human trafficking is also subject to intersectional factors, such as gender, belonging to a minority group and socio-economic status.
Applying a socio-ecological approach to the analysis of vulnerability to human trafficking demonstrates how different risk factors influence vulnerability, and how protective factors may reduce the risk of victimisation by increasing resilience.[3] The socio-ecological model considers the complex interplay between individual, relationship, community and societal factors. It helps to understand how anti-trafficking strategies should: (a) reduce the vulnerability of individuals, (b) work with the communities (which may also include relationships) concerned to ensure that their practices or current dynamics do not exacerbate or contribute to vulnerabilities to human trafficking and, (c) change a number of system-driven or structural elements (such as policies) so that they do not facilitate but discourage an environment conducive to human trafficking.
In addition to the thematic focus on vulnerabilities to human trafficking, GRETA has decided that each State Party will receive country-specific follow-up questions related to recommendations not implemented or partially implemented after the third evaluation round.
States Parties are requested to transmit to GRETA a reply to this questionnaire within four months from the date it was sent. The reply to the questionnaire should be submitted in one of the official languages of the Council of Europe (English and French), and preferably also in the original language. Where appropriate, in order to avoid unnecessary repetition, the reply may refer to information contained in the report submitted by the national authorities on measures taken to comply with the Committee of the Parties’ recommendation concerning the implementation of the proposals made in GRETA’s third evaluation report. States Parties should provide links, copies or extracts of relevant legislation, regulations, national action plans and case law mentioned in the reply to the questionnaire, in the original language and, wherever possible, also in one of the official languages of the Council of Europe.
A variety of stakeholders and civil society representatives should be effectively consulted in the preparation of the reply to the questionnaire, to ensure that the information provided is as comprehensive as possible.
Part I — Addressing vulnerabilities to trafficking in human beings
I. PREVENTION (Articles 5, 6 and 7)
1. Do you have specific data/research/analysis of what makes people vulnerable to trafficking in human beings (THB) in your country? Please provide information on the categories/groups of people identified as being at risk of becoming victims of human trafficking, and how they are addressed in the national anti-trafficking strategy and/or action plan. Have you identified geographical regions or economic sectors in your country as particularly vulnerable to THB, and how do you address them in your strategy or policy?
The organised fight against trafficking and exploitation in human beings in the Republic of Armenia carries on for more than two decades with considerable progress recorded in recent years.
This is contingent on the fact that when developing its three-year national action plan (National Plan) in the fight against trafficking in human beings the Republic of Armenia is governed by the findings of the previous analyses. It is noteworthy that the analysis of the National Plan and its actions are carried out in cooperation with sectoral experts, non-governmental and international organisations, as well as state and local bodies. In view of the foregoing, the existing research and data on trafficking in and exploitation of human beings in recent years are provided via the attached link http://antitrafficking.am/other-reports/. These research and analyses are conducted through assessment of the needs of victims of trafficking in human beings and interviews therewith, thus enabling the policy-makers to gain an insight into aspects of vulnerability to trafficking in human beings. Importance is also attached to the needs assessment with respect to the issues of trafficking in or exploitation of human beings among law enforcement bodies, judges and advocates and analysis of its results, whereon research has also been conducted, by summarising it in a report.
As it has already been mentioned, when developing national action plans account is taken to the previous analyses, and following the summarisation and analyses of the 6th National Strategy for 2020-2022, "7th National Strategy for Organisation of Fight against trafficking in and exploitation of human beings in the Republic of Armenia in 2023-2025" has been approved by Decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia No 31-L of 5 January 2023. In 2023-2025, when developing the national programme for organisation of trafficking in or exploitation of human beings account has also been taken to evaluations and recommendations of international institutions, namely, the third report on Armenia's implementation of the provisions of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings, the US State Department, regular reports of the Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Coordinator for Combating Human Trafficking on Armenia, as well as the expert assessment of the situation in the fight against trafficking conducted with the support of the US Agency for International Development. The actions presented in the Programme are aimed at the effective organisation of the fight against trafficking in or exploitation of human beings and are included in 7 main sections:
- improving the legislation on fight against trafficking in or exploitation of human beings;
- preventing trafficking in or exploitation of human beings;
- preventing trafficking in or exploitation of children;
- identification, protection of and assistance to persons subjected to trafficking in or exploitation of human beings;
- international cooperation;
- conducting studies;
- monitoring and assessment.
The agency responsible for implementation of the above-mentioned programmes is the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia. In addition to the above-mentioned sections, in the fight against trafficking in human beings in the Republic of Armenia importance is attached to 3 main areas which cover improving the legal framework, conducting awareness-raising campaigns and training courses, providing social rehabilitation services to persons subjected to trafficking in and exploitation of human beings. When developing the action plans account is taken also to territorial districts, marzes, vulnerable groups or economic areas where the risk for trafficking is higher. In view of the foregoing, we can state that every year the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia conducts annual ongoing programme summarisation and monitoring, based which additional actions or measures are developed for the next year. In particular, following the situational and statistical analysis of 2023 the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia jointly with "Democracy International" has developed a public awareness-raising programme, under which a five-month public awareness campaign on fight against trafficking in human beings has been launched since July 2024. As part of awareness raising campaign, public awareness events have been conducted and continue to take place in all Marzes of the Republic of Armenia. Given the statistics on cases of trafficking in human beings in 2023, greater importance is attached to the Marzes where more cases of trafficking have been recorded, with targets being more vulnerable groups. In the awareness raising campaign children have also been selected as a separate target group. Taking into account also the fact that the advancement of information technologies is accompanied by increase in the cases of cybercrimes, cybercrimes and cyber-trafficking have been selected as the main topic of the campaign conducted among the children. It is also noteworthy that the analysis of cases of trafficking in and exploitation of human beings of 2023-2024 allows for selecting labour exploitation in terms of prevalence, as the number of labour exploitation exceeds the number of cases of sexual exploitation. At the same time, gender-based distinction is even more difficult as in the past 2 years almost equal number of women and men were subjected to exploitation. Cases of labour exploitation have been mostly recorded in Marzes, particularly, in marz-based cattle farms.
Many guidelines have also been developed by the Republic of Armenia to prevent trafficking in and exploitation of human beings, which include:
"Indicators of compulsory or forced labour in the Republic of Armenia" introduced by Order of the Head of the Health and Labour Inspection Body of the Republic of Armenia of 17 December 2021;
"Guidelines on identification by the Migration Service of alleged victims of trafficking in or exploitation of human beings" introduced by the Order of the Head of the Migration Service of 2 November 2022
Guidelines developed in accordance with the sectoral indicators of trafficking in or exploitation of human beings for social workers, which was developed in 2023 and put into circulation among social workers (the link attached: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1j6MujkYzpztjGAtRHWb_B21UronvRrNN/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=113148889084579635906&rtpof=true&sd=true);
"Guidelines for judges on providing information on traumas and victim-centered approaches in the work with persons subjected to trafficking in or exploitation of human beings" was addressed to courts by the Judicial Department to make it accessible to judges and be used in their work;
"Guidelines for prosecutors on providing information on traumas and victim-centered approaches in the work with persons subjected to trafficking in or exploitation of human beings" was put into circulation among the prosecutors in cooperation with the Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Armenia;
"Guidelines for investigators on providing information on traumas and victim-centered approaches in the work with persons subjected to trafficking in or exploitation of human beings" was put into circulation among the investigators in cooperation with the Investigative Committee of the Republic of Armenia;
"Guidelines for police officers of the Republic of Armenia on providing information on traumas and victim-centered approaches in the work with persons subjected to trafficking in or exploitation of human beings" was put into circulation among the police officers in cooperation with the Criminal Police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Armenia.
The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia has developed tools for establishing monitoring and evaluation criteria and collecting data, as a result of application of which the process of data collection and aggregation in the area of fight against trafficking in and exploitation of human beings has become more effective and co-ordinated. All sector-related data are summarised in general comprehensive report forms.
2. What specific measures are taken to reduce children’s vulnerability to THB by creating a protective environment for children? Please provide information in the following areas:
a. protecting children’s rights from attitudes, customs, behaviour and practices that can have an adverse effect (including child early and forced marriage, and illegal adoption);
According to Article 10, Part 1, Sentence 1 of the Republic of Armenia Family Code, "For the conclusion of marriage, the mutual voluntary consent of the man and woman to be married and their reaching the marriageable age of eighteen are necessary, except for the cases provided for in the second paragraph of this part".
The 2nd sentence of the same part defines: "a person can also get married at the age of 17, if there is the consent of his parents, adoptive parents or guardian". A person may also marry at age 16 if the pair has the consent of their parents, adoptive parents or guardian and the other person getting married is at least 18 years old.
The law "On Amendments to the Family Code of the Republic of Armenia" adopted on September 10, 2024 envisages the removal of the 2nd sentence of Part 1 of Article 10 of the Family Code of the Republic of Armenia, setting the minimum age of marriage at eighteen years of age.
At the same time, it should be noted that in 2022, Article 197 of the Republic of Armenia Criminal Code, which entered into force on July 1, establishes criminal responsibility for coercing marriage, divorce or having a child.
Article 242, Part 2, Clause 4 of the Republic of Armenia Criminal Code establishes criminal responsibility for the purchase of a child for the purpose of taking care or the sale of a child for the purpose of placing the child in the care of the person taking care of the child through false adoption.
The legislative reforms, particularly the Law of the Republic of Armenia "On the rights of the child and the system of protection of the child" stipulates the right of protection of the child against violence, right of the child to be heard and the participation of the child, the right of protection of the child against bullying.
The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia is engaged in public hearings on the topic "Legislative amendments for increasing marriage age limit in the context of protection of human rights" organised by the Standing Committee on Protection of Human Rights and Public Affairs of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia within the scope of the legislative initiative for prevention of early marriages, as a result of which the specified Committee of the National Assembly has drawn up draft amendments. The package of draft Laws "On making amendments to the Family Code of the Republic of Armenia", "On making amendments to the Civil Code of the Republic of Armenia" has been adopted in the second reading.
The procedure for adoption is defined under Decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia No 269-N of 18 March 2010.
The regulations for employment relations of working children are defined in the Labour Code of the Republic of Armenia (Code). In particular, the Code provides for many norms, restrictions and guarantees regulating the employment of children, with an aim to protect their health, safety. In general, it should be noted that:
The Code defines that each person under the age of eighteen shall have the right to perform labour activity not prohibited by the Code and other laws of the Republic of Armenia in accordance with his or her age capacities, development peculiarities and abilities.
Persons under the age of fourteen may only be involved in the creation (creative work) or performance of works in cinematography, sports, theatre or concert organisations, the circus, television or radio.
A temporary employment contract shall be concluded with persons under the age of sixteen. Persons under the age of sixteen may be admitted to temporary employment in compliance with the restrictions and regulations prescribed by certain Articles of the Code.
Persons under the age of eighteen may be involved only in such works which do not endanger their health (including physical and mental development), morals, do not threaten their safety and do not hinder their compulsory education.
Persons under the age of eighteen shall have the right to privileged conditions of work. Shorter working time shall be defined for those persons. The specified time differ by age of children. At the same time, the Code defines that the working time of children must be set beyond the hours set for mandatory education.
With respect to employment of children, state supervision over the observance by employers of the requirements of the labour legislation and other regulatory legal acts containing norms of labour law, as well as of collective and employment agreements shall be exercised by the authorised inspection body of the field, i.e. the Health and Labour Inspection Body of the Republic of Armenia, by imposing sanctions in cases provided for by law. The powers of the Health and Labour Inspection Body include also exercising supervision over ensuring the guarantees for persons under the age of 18 prescribed by the labour legislation.
b. developing children’s life skills (including media literacy and online safety skills), knowledge and participation;
The draft 2024-2029 Complex Programme for protection of the rights of the child has defined the priority areas of the state policy in the protection of the rights of the child and it aims to create equal conditions for full enjoyment of the rights of all children and ensure harmonious development of their potential. The Complex Programme integrally addresses all the areas of public life, by making special emphasis on specific aspects of protection of the rights of children aged 0-18.
As part of the five-month public awareness-raising campaign for fight against trafficking in human beings, launched in July 2024, many awareness-raising activities will be carried out among students of marz-based educational institutions. The programme for awareness-raising activities includes works and topics related to development of the media literacy of children and ensuring on-line security. See the link to the videos and supporting manuals on trafficking in children at http://antitrafficking.am/child-trafficking/.
In the new standard and curriculum of the subject "Sociology" of the general education school topics concerning trafficking are included in the subject scope of Grades 9 and 12;
Grade 9
Topic 1. Corruption. Trafficking: reasons for occurrence and its consequences, types and manifestations. Following the study students are expected to be able to interpret the reasons for occurrence of corruption and trafficking and their negative impact on different areas of public life.
Grade 12
Topic 1. State system and mechanisms for protection of the right.
The negative impacts of trafficking are studied through practical assignments. After the study students are expected to be able to analyse and interpret the causes and consequences of trafficking.
Courses on topics concerning human rights, including issues of trafficking and exploitation are still being held under the Module "Fundamentals of Law" for students of the institutions of primary vocation /handicraft/ and secondary vocational education of the Republic of Armenia.
At the same time, according to the new general education standard, the topic "Healthy lifestyle" introduced in the general education sector as a separate course also includes basic concepts, such as violence, harassment, exploitation, relationships, gender issues and sexual and reproductive health, where different aspects and situations of exploitation and violence are touched upon in Grades 5-11. The topic of sexual violence and exploitation, along with examples of trafficking, are also explored during group lessons designated by the curriculum.
In the sector of general education the processes of development and approval of the state standard, syllabuses and standards for general education are accompanied by training of teachers.
Around 13000 pedagogues and administrative employees have undergone training under the Programme for content-related reforms in general education, and another 3444 pedagogical workers — by the Teach tool. Specialists of the subject "Sociology", which includes trafficking-related topics, are also enrolled in the training.
c. putting in place a system for monitoring and reporting cases of abuse;
Decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia No 479-N of 4 April 2024 defines the procedure for referring the child subjected to violence to relevant bodies for protection or assistance, the forms of and procedure for providing assistance to the child subjected to violence.
d. providing training to child care professionals, legal guardians, education professionals;
For the purpose of ongoing training and qualification upgrade of personnel of the sector of social protection training courses are organised in children's round-the-clock and day care institutions operating under the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, with the participation of around 2000 specialists. The courses have been organised on various target topics.
As it has already been mentioned, the actions presented in "7th National Programme for Organisation of the Fight against Trafficking in and Exploitation of Human Beings in the Republic of Armenia in 2023-2025" are aimed at effective organisation of the fight against trafficking in or exploitation of human beings and are included in 7 main sections, of which Section 3 is entirely dedicated to reducing trafficking in or exploitation of children and increasing the effectiveness of response. Section 3 includes the following measures for 2023-2025:
Ø To take continuous steps to identify children from vulnerable groups who are left out of compulsory education, who do not have a permanent place of residence, who are at risk of trafficking or exploitation and in labour exploitation.
Ø To organise seminars and discussions on ensuring the guarantees for working children prescribed by the legislation of the Republic of Armenia and preventing the involvement of working children in the worst forms of labour.
Ø To submit recommendations aimed at improving existing procedures upon the ground of the study of the peculiarities of interrogation of children who are witnesses or victims of human trafficking when conducting proceedings, and ensure the introduction and enforcement thereof.
Ø To ensure the effective cooperation of child care institutions, psychologists, social workers (at the earliest stages possible) with law enforcement bodies within the scope of cases of child trafficking, and explore the necessity and possibility of putting it on a structural basis.
In 2023, various awareness-raising and training courses were conducted with the aim of exploring the phenomenon of child exploitation. In particular:
The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs has implemented, within the scope of the Data for Impact Project, jointly with "UMCOR Armenia" Charitable Foundation, awareness-raising and training courses for employees of children’s day care centres, institutions providing round-the-clock care and protection of children, as well as round-the-clock care centres for the elderly or persons with disabilities. The training course was aimed at raising the awareness of the employees regarding the phenomenon of trafficking in and exploitation of human beings.
· The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs jointly with the National Institute of Labour and Social Research has implemented a distance training course on the topic "Characteristics of recognisability of the phenomenon of human trafficking, mechanisms for referral of potential victims, the role of the social worker in the context of identifiability of the phenomenon of the trafficking and referral, types of services provided by the state to victims of trafficking". The training course was attended by 48 employees of 16 SNCOs under the subordination of the Ministry, including children’s round-the-clock care and protection institutions, round-the-clock care centres for the elderly or persons with disabilities, as well as mental health care centres.
· A working group has been established to study and find ways to reduce the vulnerability of children of socially vulnerable groups to trafficking, forced labour and exploitation. The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs jointly with "UMCOR Armenia" Charitable Foundation held information seminars dedicated to awareness-raising and prevention of risks of trafficking in and forced labour of human beings for students of colleges and high schools of Armavir and Ararat, representatives of vulnerable groups of rural communities, persons forcibly displaced from Artsakh in the communities of Armavir Marz, and beneficiaries and employees of non-governmental organisations. At the end of the course information booklets on prevention of trafficking, with hot-line numbers included are distributed.
· A course on identification, referral, assistance and reintegration of victims of trafficking in human beings was held for employees of the primary circle. In particular, this was held at Stepanavan Territorial Pedagogical-Psychological Support Center, with the participation of local social employees, pedagogues, representatives of guardianship bodies and the Police.
· Information seminars on cyber-trafficking and cybersecurity were conducted at educational institutions of Yerevan, i.e. Yerevan State University, Northern University of Yerevan and Yerevan Informatics College. Informational materials were distributed at the end of the seminar.
On the occasion of World Day against Trafficking in persons, from 30 July to 2 December (International Day Against Slavery) the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, in cooperation with partner non-governmental organisations and international institutions, carries out activities for raising public awareness, in particular within the scope of the Blue Heart Campaign. This year the theme of the Campaign is "Leave no Child Behind in the Fight against Human Trafficking". This year's global campaign focuses on the vulnerability of children and urges accelerated action to end child trafficking.
e. access to education and health care for vulnerable children, including from minority groups, unaccompanied migrant children, and children of migrant workers;
According to the Government Decree of the Armenia of 4 March 2004 No 318-N “On State-guaranteed free delivery of medical aid and services”, children under the age of 18, including children from vulnerable groups, have the right to receive medical assistance and services free of charge and preferential terms, guaranteed by the State.
Article 35 of the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia defines: "Each citizen shall have the right to education.
Secondary education within state educational institutions shall be free of charge.
Each citizen shall have the right to receive higher and other vocational education free of charge on a competitive basis within state educational institutions.
Pursuant to Article 6 of the Law "On education", " The Republic of Armenia shall ensure the right to education, irrespective of national origin, race, gender, language, religion, political or other opinion, social origin, property status or other circumstances.
The 2021-2026 Government Programme of the Republic of Armenia (Section 4 of Decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia No 1363-A of 18 August 2021 "On Government Programme of the Republic of Armenia") marks the process of human resource development in the Republic of Armenia through a set of measures implemented in the areas of education, culture, sports and youth.
The Law of the Republic of Armenia "On approving the State Programme for Development of Education in the Republic of Armenia by 2030" holds strategic importance in the path to development. The State Programme is centered upon a human being, and defines the ultimate objective to be establishing an effective and internationally competitive education system based on national and universal values, aimed at development of the Republic of Armenia, which shall provide everyone with the opportunity to receive high-quality education meeting his or her needs and capacities at all stages of life.
On 16 March 2023, the Government of the Republic of Armenia adopted Decision No 351-L "On approving the Action Plan deriving from the Law "On approving the State Programme for Development of Education in the Republic of Armenia by 2030" (hereinafter referred to as “Action Plan), which reflects three main directions of the education strategy: the first one includes comprehensive inclusive, quality and accessible education services in all settlements, for every citizen, at all stages of life, the second one includes increase in the effectiveness of education, including the process, cost and management effectiveness of the system.
However, before the approval of this Programme the Government of the Republic of Armenia has made many reforms to ensure the right to education and create equal conditions for children of socially vulnerable groups. In particular,
Pursuant to Protocol Decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia of 18 February 2016 "On approving the Action Plan and the Timetable for introduction of the system of universal inclusive education", as of the end of 2021, all marzes of the Republic of Armenia and the city of Yerevan made the transition to universal inclusive general education. In the 2023-2024 Academic Year, there were 7 operating special schools, and 545 learners were enrolled in those schools.
During 2023, there were 10501 children receiving pedagogical-psychological support services at preschool and general education institutions.
By Decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia No 598-N of 15 April 2021, the "Action Plan and the Timetable for introduction of the system of universal inclusive education in the preschool education sector in the Republic of Armenia" were approved. In 2022, the system was introduced in Tavush, Lori and Syunik Marzes of the Republic of Armenia and in the city of Yerevan. 1742 pedagogical workers have undergone training. In 2023, preschool inclusive education was introduced in the whole territory of the Republic of Armenia. Training courses were held for the pedagogical workers of preschool education institutions. As of the first semester of 2024, around 40 per cent of them have undergone training.
By Decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia No 1169-N of 15 July 2021, the "Procedure for financing preschool education institutions from the State Budget per one learner, including setting the increased amount of financing required for ensuring special conditions for education and development" was approved. Pursuant to the Procedure, financing per learner of an institution for children in need of special conditions for education and development has been provided since 1 September 2022. As preschool education institutions are under the subordination of the community, except for preschools operating as part of general education institutions, since 2022 the State has been allocating funding for vulnerable groups, including children in need of special conditions for education.
The Republican Pedagogical-Psychological Center and the 22 territorial pedagogical-psychological centres operating in all marzes also conduct assessment of children of pre-school age. In the first semester of 2024, 1095 children in need of special conditions for education were enrolled in preschool education institutions.
The Ministry also attaches importance to enrolling children aged 0-2 in preschool education․ To that effect, a discussion on issues related to financing of the groups of children aged 0-2 in community kindergartens was conducted with the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of the Republic of Armenia. Urban settlements and institutions were selected where groups of children aged 0-2 funded from the State Budget are planned to be launched.
In the 2024-2025 Academic Year, 4 kindergartens operating in Yerevan, 1 kindergarten operating in Hrazdan, 2 kindergartens operating in Vanadzor, 2 preschool education institutions operating in Gyumri will launch 2 early-age groups (aged 1-2), as well as 1 kindergarten in Yerevan will launch 1 group for children aged 6-12 months.
Given that children of vulnerable groups are mainly at risk of being left out compulsory education, the Government of the Republic of Armenia has implemented many important programmes for identifying and returning such children to school.
In the context of protection of the right of the child to education, Decision of the Government No 154-N of 11 February 2021 "On establishing the procedure for identifying and referring children left out of compulsory education" is a key step in the commitment to ensuring by the Republic of Armenia the right to education of persons under the age of 6-19. The effective legal regulations provide a description of the method and institutions, the cooperation with which may result in identification of school-age children left out of compulsory education or at risk of being left out of compulsory education, define the steps undertaken by the Guardianship and Curatorship Body for ensuring the continuity of education of learners.
The Procedure in effect not only regulates the identification of children left out of compulsory education, but also their referral, enrolment in education. Based on the foregoing, the electronic system has a developed a tool for verifying the results of ensuring the enrolment of learners which will allow for performing analysis with regard to learners having left out of compulsory education and having enrolled in education. According to the legal regulation, the Guardianship and Curatorship Body submits — twice a year — a report on activities carried out with school-age children having left out of compulsory education and the number of children enrolled in the education as a result thereof.
Presently the process of refining and filtering the lists available in the database of children having left out of compulsory education is carried out, as well as information categorisation tools are being developed to efficiently organise the data handling generated in the System.
On 1 February 2024, the works for establishing the electronic platform were completed, access to the sub-system was provided to relevant agencies, and from 1 May the electronic platform became fully operational. As of 16 September 2024, 5489 learners returned to educational system, 3565 – to general education schools, and 1924 – to primary and secondary vocational education system.
In resolving the issue of being left out of compulsory education the sector continuously provides assistance to proper performance of works for organising home schooling. For the purpose of raising the effectiveness of organisation of home-schooling the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of the Republic of Armenia has applied to the Khachatur Abovyan Armenian State Pedagogical University to include relevant topics in the curricula and build relevant capacities of students receiving professional education.
For the purpose of reducing the risk for the learner to be left out of education amendments have been made to the relevant procedure, according to which the proposed regulations related to enrolment of learners in general education institutions from the 2nd semester of the 2nd year and the 3rd year at educational institutions implementing primary (handicraft) or secondary vocational education programmes will allow the learner to transfer from the PSVET institutions to the 3rd level of general education in case of availability of substantiating documents and transfer of the family of the learner to a settlement with no educational institution implementing PSVET education programmes upon the agreement of the Ministry.
Works have been carried out:
with respect to continuity of education and accessibility of education to children and young people forcibly displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh. Around 16700 students forcibly displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh have been enrolled in the compulsory education system under simplified procedure and receive education in general education schools of the Republic of Armenia, continuous works are carried out for children that have not yet been engaged in general education to enrol in school education and ensure enjoyment of their right to education. In 2023, 713 children received primary or continuous psychological assistance. As of 28 December 2023, the need of 27 school-age children for special conditions for education has been recognised, of which 9 have disability and relevant pedagogical physiological assistance has been provided as needed.
The works for enrolling children of socially vulnerable groups in education are not limited to only the sector of pre-school and general education, and the vocational education is also planned to make inclusive and accessible to children of socially vulnerable groups and learners to the extent possible. The new Law of the Republic of Armenia "On vocational education and training" was adopted on 22 May 2024. The adoption of this Law is also important due to the fact that children having finished the basic school are admitted to vocational education institutions, and the Law in question also provides additional opportunities to ensure the right to vocational education of children with disabilities. In part 2 of Article 4 of the specified Law the Republic of Armenia declares the universal inclusive education as a guarantee for ensuring the right to education of every student, and the work-based learning — a guarantee for ensuring competitiveness in the labour market. Part 3 of the same Article has specified that one of the principles of the state policy in vocational education and training is promoting inclusive and quality vocational education and training for everyone and opportunities for lifelong learning. The new Law defines also the granting of micro-qualifications, which will help learners in need of special conditions for education to acquire qualification of certain level.
Social guarantees for refund of tuition fees for vocational education are also established for socially vulnerable groups.
In particular: At state higher education institutions implementing primary vocational and secondary vocational education programmes of the Republic of Armenia student benefits shall be granted to:
· children left without parental care admitted to an educational institution under the primary vocational (handicraft) and secondary vocational education programme, prescribed by law;
· persons (children) with disabilities, as well as with severe and deep limitation of functionality, and in the case of children — also with moderate limitation of functionality, prescribed by law.
Refund of tuition fee (full or partial) shall be granted to the below-mentioned in case of availability of documents regarding on-site training and attesting to the relevant status and according to performance:
· students with scores higher than the threshold score for family insecurity;
· students from borderline communities receiving social assistance;
An educational institution may, at its own expenses, fully or partially refund the tuition fee for up to 10% of the student body studying on a paid basis, taking into consideration the social standing and high academic performance of the particular student:
· for socially disadvantaged students (from families with the family insecurity score higher than 0, record-registered in the family insecurity assessment system);
· for students having lost one parent;
· for students having 2 and more minors or 2 and more children that are students;
· for students from families that have 2 and more student children in paid educational system;
· for students whose parent has disability under the 1st or 2nd group of disability or has severe and deep limitation of functionality;
· for students who are the children of pedagogues of general education schools and educational institutions in mountainous and borderline villages;
· for students with a child under one year of age;
· students who display high academic standing and are not included in the student benefit system.
State scholarship is granted to the following students pursuing their studies:
· students of a social group prescribed by the Laws "On social protection of children left without parental care" or "On the rights of persons with disabilities", as well as of educational institutions in borderline and mountainous settlements — in case of excellent academic performance;
· students having been admitted on the basis of basic education under the list of professions of priority and important fields approved by the Government of the Republic of Armenia every year (hereinafter referred to as "the overriding sector");
According to the Law of the Republic of Armenia "On higher and postgraduate professional education", the State shall guarantee for the citizens of the Republic of Armenia the right to receive, on a competitive basis, free of charge higher and postgraduate professional education at state higher education institutions. This sector of education also has a system of refund of tuition fees for socially vulnerable groups.
f. birth registration for all children born in the country.
According to Article 22, Clause 1 of the Law "On Registration of Civil Residence Acts", the birth of every person born in the Republic of Armenia is subject to registration without time limit.
In order to identify signs of possible crimes, thorough verification work is carried out upon receipt of the adoption packages. In the case of early marriages, administrative proceedings are initiated, and in the case of reported offences, proceedings are initiated under Articles 197 and 202 of the Criminal Code of the RA.
Activities are carried out within the framework of identifying persons left without compulsory education, in cooperation with local governments, social workers, and educational institutions. In order to prevent sexual crimes, awareness-raising campaigns are being conducted in educational institutions, during which minors are provided with information necessary for both legal and personal safety.
Annual events are held in conjunction with other agencies to prevent vagrancy and begging.
3. What measures are taken in your country to address vulnerabilities related to the gender dimension of human trafficking?
In view of prevention and overcoming of gender-based violence and discrimination, protection and assistance to women and girls, including women and girls of different vulnerable groups, persons subjected to domestic violence, persons subject to trafficking in and exploitation of human beings, as well persons subjected to sexual exploitation, the country has carried out extensive works in the past 5 years in the context of both legislative amendments, establishment, extension of new services, and performance of awareness-raising activities. In the context of prevention of violence against women and girls and assistance provided to the victims, since 2020, around AMD 125 mln has been allocated from the funds of the State Budget of the Republic of Armenia to implement 3 programmes for assistance to persons subjected to domestic violence, in particular Assistance Centres have been established in all marzes and the city of Yerevan, the State has co-financed the activity of 2 shelters, and a programme for providing lump-sum financial assistance to the victims subjected to domestic violence has been implemented.
The 2024-2028 Strategic Programme of the Republic of Armenia for Ensuring Gender Equality also includes several measures aimed at prevention of trafficking in human beings, including women and girls.
It is also noteworthy that in 2024, the State plans to provide services to victims of trafficking in and exploitation of human beings in cooperation with Marz-based non-governmental organisations. The main purpose of extension of the services is the prevention of trafficking in human beings at Marz level and identification of cases thereof. It is important to emphasise also that the above-mentioned non-governmental organisations carry out their Marz-based activities in the areas of prevention of domestic and household violence, and ensuring gender equality. The above-mentioned Marz-based non-governmental organisations have undergone a range of relevant trainings in identification of cases of trafficking in human beings, referral, provision of assistance.
In February 2019, the Government of the Republic of Armenia adopted the first 2019-2021 National Action Plan for implementation of the provisions of the UN Security Council Resolution No 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, and in 2021 — the second 2022-2024 National Action Plan.
4. What specific measures are taken to reduce the vulnerability to trafficking of persons from disadvantaged minorities? Please provide information on policies and measures in the following areas:
a. research;
b. information, awareness-raising and education campaigns;
Please see at the official website of the Police of the RA:
- Article on human trafficking and prevention, click here;
- Performance of combating human trafficking and exploitation in 2022, click here;
- Thematic overview: Human trafficking is the third most lucrative crime in the world, click here
The 7th National Programme for Organisation of the Fight against Trafficking in or Exploitation of Human Beings in the Republic of Armenia in 2023-2025 provides for implementation of a series of awareness-raising activities among different vulnerable groups, including the national minorities. Every year the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, in cooperation with sectoral non-governmental organisations, pay visits to Marzes, including the Marzes where the representatives of the national minority are concentrated. The campaigns are also conducted for all employees of the territorial centres of the Unified Social Service. Their trainings are of primary significance, since they, as primary circle specialists of the territorial and Marz bodies, regularly deal with vulnerable groups, including national minorities. Various training activities have also been carried out for law enforcement employees.
The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs has, under the Programme "Together Against Human Trafficking", carried out the following, jointly with "World Vision Armenia" International Relief and Development Organisation:
· training of community social workers based on the module developed within the framework of the Programme "Social work with persons subjected to trafficking in human beings, prevention, intervention and rehabilitation", conducted by the remote learning laboratory of the Faculty of Sociology of Yerevan State University through digitisation of the module (E-module available at YSU electronic platform).
· Training of employees of non-governmental organisations based on the module developed within the framework of the Programme "Characterisation of trafficking in or exploitation of human beings or protection of and assistance to persons subjected to exploitation".
· Guidelines for judges on providing information on traumas and victim-centered approaches in the work with persons subjected to trafficking in or exploitation of human beings have been developed for police officers, investigators, prosecutors, judges, public defenders, as well as criminal advocates that have been introduced and applied.
· Training of criminal advocates and public defenders based on the Module for ensuring victim-centred approaches and victim-centred examination in criminal proceedings on trafficking in human beings and exploitation.
· Training of law enforcement officers (police officers, investigators, prosecutors) and judges based on the Module for ensuring victim-centred approaches and victim-centred examination in the criminal proceedings on trafficking in and exploitation of human beings, conducted by the Academy of Justice.
· Information seminars have been conducted in several Marzes of the Republic of Armenia, jointly with "Democracy Today" Non-Governmental Organisation, to prevent trafficking in human beings and reduce the risks thereof. The seminars were attended by high school children, chairpersons of parents' councils, teachers, students, unemployed persons, persons record-registered in the Unified Social Services, employees of the Unified Social Services, persons forcibly displaced from Artsakh. Information booklets have also been provided to persons having attended the seminars.
· The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs jointly with "Democracy Today" Non-Governmental Organisation conducted among job-seekers record-registered in Ajapnyak Territorial Centre of the Unified Social Service, as well as among various vulnerable groups awareness-raising campaigns on trafficking in human beings, which pursued an aim to raise the level of recognisability of the phenomenon of trafficking, clarify the mechanisms of referral of potential victims and provide proper assistance to victims of trafficking in and exploitation of human beings. Risks related to trafficking in human beings, steps aimed at prevention of the phenomenon, as well as assistance programmes implemented in the Republic of Armenia have been discussed during the seminar.
· The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia jointly with "Association of Audio-Visual Reporters" Non-Governmental Organisation conducted awareness-raising campaigns on trafficking in and exploitation of human beings for employees of territorial centres of the Unified Social Service of several Marzes of the Republic of Armenia and Marz residents under the Programme "Together Against Human Trafficking". In the awareness-raising campaign the participants have also been provided with information posters and self-identification test developed by "Association of Audio-Visual Reporters" Non-Governmental Organisation. The services provided by the State to the victims of trafficking in and exploitation of human beings have also been introduced in the printed materials.
· The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs jointly with "Association of Audio-Visual Reporters" Non-Governmental Organisation has conducted — under the Programme "Together Against Human Trafficking" — awareness-raising activities and prepared information materials covering the risks of trafficking in and exploitation of human beings, see here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1a5dCDc2TrW2a1RK0VKU1IC1slcDFVijd/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=113148889084579635906&rtpof=true&sd=true.
· The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs jointly with "Armenian Caritas" Benevolent Non-Governmental Organisation has organised information meetings with labour migrants, pre-departure consultation has been provided, and the issues of return migrants have been recorded. The employees of the territorial centres of the Unified Social Service have also been involved in information meetings.
· Awareness-raising campaigns on "Labour Migration: Opportunities and issues" have been conducted among active young people of Marzes of the Republic of Armenia.
· Courses on "Providing pre-departure consultation and guidance to labour migrants" have been conducted for employees of employment centres of the Unified Social Service.
For the purpose of raising awareness among the public and, particularly, the youth, 3 programmes are being implemented by the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of the Republic of Armenia within the framework of the State Budget of the Republic of Armenia. The following are among those programmes:
Organising awareness campaigns among the youth on the topic of trafficking in and exploitation of human beings.
Below we present the works performed during 2021-2024 up to now within the framework of the mentioned measure according to years.
In 2021, courses were organised in all marzes of the Republic of Armenia (10 persons in each marz), the aim whereof was to raise awareness on human exploitation (trafficking) and prevention thereof among the youth in marzes. The course and the competitive game held are highly effective in terms of raising awareness on trafficking among the youth. Every participant obviously sees the problems of trafficking, the ways of prevention and coverage thereof through the course and the game and will further be able to spread the knowledge he/she accumulated among the public.
In 2022, the Youth Awareness Programme was implemented in the enlarged community of Charentsavan. 33 young people /of the age 14-35/ from various settlements of the enlarged community of Charentsavan participated in the Programme. The Programme included implementation of a 3-day course. Through theoretical and practical trainings the course trainers gave a clear picture of trafficking, of the ways of evading it, guiding people, about the support centres, types of trafficking, hot lines, etc.
In 2023, as a result of the grant programme "Raising awareness of the youth on the trafficking risks", 2 animation video clips were created: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=215625654838277
2021 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553933987712
As a result of dissemination of the created animation video clips in social platform, one of the video clips had 9100 views, and the other one — about 7000 views. As an educational material, the video clips were posted in the website of the "National Center for Education Development and Innovation" Foundation (KZNAK).
The Programme for 2024 was implemented by "Full Life" NGO. The Programme "If you are aware, then you are protected" has been launched. Within the framework of the Programme it is planned to bring together more than 1000 young people over the age of 16 of 5 state higher education institutions of the Republic of Armenia of Yerevan, Gyumri, Vanadzor, Gavar and 5 higher schools, who will obtain knowledge necessary for fighting against trafficking and preventing it. Currently the Programme is underway.
Holding of an annual journalism awards ceremony was ensured, which is organised by the principle of competitions envisaged for the first event.
The "Annual journalism awards for reporting on trafficking in and exploitation of human beings" has been conducted since 2012 up to nowadays upon the decision of t he Government of the Republic of Armenia. It is always included in the national programme for organising fight against trafficking in and exploitation of human beings approved by the Government of the Republic of Armenia and is implemented jointly with the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia. The objective of the measure is to preserve the political integrity, principles of legal and journalistic ethics in journalistic materials devoted to problems of trafficking in and exploitation of human beings. It is aimed at encouraging comprehensive, objective and effective coverage of the fight against trafficking in and exploitation of human beings in the Republic of Armenia, contributing to raising the level of awareness of the national population aimed at preventing trafficking in and exploitation of human beings.
Preserving the website www.antitrafficking.am within the framework of this measure, for the purpose of delivering the service, "Association of Audio-Visual Reporters" Organisation conducts direct financing.
The website is currently the only Armenian-language, modern platform for fighting against trafficking in human beings, which has become the unofficial website of the Anti-Trafficking Council of the Government of the Republic of Armenia. The website has become one of the best tools for raising awareness among the society, in particular, among the youth, and preventing trafficking due to regularly updated information, social video clips and targeted campaigns.
c. socio-economic initiatives targeting underlying and structural causes;
National minorities, who are considered to be citizens of the Republic of Armenia, equally enjoy the rights prescribed for the citizens of the Republic of Armenia.
As a result of legislative amendments made during 2022, a new system for benefit for care of a child under the age of two has been introduced from 1 January 2023, within the framework whereof all the parents have a right to benefit, irrespective of the place of residence and the fact of being employed. Moreover, a parent record-registered in a rural settlement and simultaneously being on leave for care may receive a double benefit. The new system has also envisaged differentiation of the amounts of the care benefit — depending on the circumstance of being on leave for care or not. The amount of the care benefit of a parent on leave for care is interrelated with the minimum monthly salary (the Government establishes the percent, which is applied to the minimum monthly salary). In particular, for a parent on leave for care the amount of benefit granted for care for children born on 1 January 2023 and after it has been established in the amount of 50 percent prescribed by Article 1 of the Law of the Republic of Armenia "On the minimum monthly salary" — AMD 37500, and for a parent not being on leave for care — AMD 31600. Meanwhile, a lump-sum birth allowance is provided, the amount whereof is differentiated based on the number of a child born in the family — AMD 300 thousand for each first and second child, AMD 1 million for the third and fourth child, AMD 1.5 million for the fifth and each subsequent child. In the event of the birth of the 3rd and every subsequent child in the family, monetary support is also provided in the amount of AMD 50000 per month, up to the month when the child attains the age of 6. According to that, in order to enjoy the above-written benefits or monetary support, a requirement for submitting by the applicants necessary data or documents, including the birth certificate(s) of children, is prescribed by the relevant legal acts.
Pursuant to point 8.1 of the 2021-2026 Action Plan of the Government of the Republic of Armenia, the package of draft laws of the Republic of Armenia "On making amendments and supplements to the Law of the Republic of Armenia "On Social Assistance" and related laws" were submitted to the Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, whereby the legal ground necessary for the diversity of social services equivalent to the needs of socially deprived, poor families and the provision thereof will be formulated.
In 2024, continuing the reforms in the field of social support, which are based on the principle of assessment of social needs and the delivery of a social service proportionate thereto, the introduction of a new system for the assessment of deprivation is envisaged, thanks to which the social support programmes will be more addressed. The hybrid method of verifying family means has been chosen as the basis of the new system, which implies a transition to determining the right to benefits based on the disposable income of the family (through the verification of easily verifiable incomes and the introduction of hard-to-verify incomes). The targets of the new system for assessment of deprivation are extremely poor families based on income (and property) with monthly disposable incomes below the minimum food basket per member equalised to one adult member․
Within the meaning of introducing additional mechanisms to prevent the reproduction of poverty, offering other social services, and especially measures and programmes for ensuring employment, along with providing benefits to families is essential by the new assessment system.
d. education, vocational training and job placement programmes.
According to the Law of the Republic of Armenia "On employment", the circumstance of being a victim of trafficking is one of the criteria for determining the non-competitiveness of the unemployed person in the labour market, and the non-competitive persons have the right to being involved in the state programmes for regulation of employment in priority order. Currently, the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs implements the following programmes for provision of employment:
"Ensuring organisation of vocational training and employment for persons having participated in the military operations unleashed by Azerbaijan in 2016, 2020 and 2022, as well as unemployed persons demobilised from compulsory fixed-term military service after 2020";
"Provision of support to rural economy through promotion of seasonal employment";
"Provision of support for organising a short-term training course and gaining professional work experience for persons forcibly displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh in 2023".
Pursuant to Article 35 of the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia, each citizen shall have the right to education.
Secondary education within state educational institutions shall be free of charge. Each citizen shall have the right to get higher and other vocational education free of charge on competitive bases within state educational establishments.
Pursuant to Article 6 of the Law of the Republic of Armenia "On education", " The Republic of Armenia shall ensure the right to education, irrespective of national origin, race, gender, language, belief, political or other opinion, social origin, property status or other circumstances.
As of 2023, the Subjects "Yezdi", "Kurdish" and "Assyrian" are taught in the schools of the marzes of the Republic of Armenia for pupils of national minorities. As of November 2023, 3027 Yezidi, 80 Kurdish, 277 Assyrian, 1387 Russian, and 38 Greek pupils study in schools of the Republic of Armenia. Publication of textbooks intended for elementary, middle and high schools of national minorities is implemented with the funding of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia. Electronic versions of textbooks and subject programmes have been posted in the sub-section "Resource Library" of the Portal "Armenian Educational Environment" (http://lib.armedu.am)".
Within the context of universal inclusive education within the framework of the education strategy adopted by the Republic of Armenia, the inclusion of children belonging to national minorities in education is also implemented.
According to data recorded in 2023, from among children belonging to national minorities involved in the public education in the Republic of Armenia 164 children need special conditions for education, who receive relevant pedagogical and psychological support. As of 2023, in schools of marzes of the Republic of Armenia, where national minorities live in a centralised way, subjects "Yezdi", "Kurdish" and "Assyrian" are taught. At the same time, pursuant to Law of the Republic of Armenia "On approving the state programme for educational development in the Republic of Armenia by 2030", qualitative improvement of educational resources and educational literature, in particular, enrichment of printed and electronic educational resources in the Armenian language, as well as in the languages of national minorities should be carried out.
Meanwhile, for the purpose of ensuring continuity of the inclusive and high-quality education process available for the communities of national minorities, allocation of up to 7 free seats each year under the Bachelor's educational degree in higher education is envisaged for admission of representatives of communities of national minorities. The number of seats with full tuition reimbursement allocated to national minorities in the form of student allowances has been approved; each year the number of seats is 7.
5. What specific measures are taken to reduce the vulnerability to THB of persons with disabilities? Please provide information in the following areas:
a. deinstitutionalisation, including community and family-based services for children and support for independent living;
Within the framework of target programmes of the State Budget of the Republic of Armenia, care and social rehabilitation services to persons with disabilities are implemented aimed at the social inclusion, cultivation of independent life skills and de-institutionalisation thereof. In particular, white cane training is carried out for visually impaired persons, by developing the independent life skills of persons with disabilities, ensuring the right to independent housekeeping, movement and use of transport.
Social rehabilitation services for persons with disabilities are implemented in day care centres, aimed at social inclusion and cultivation of independent life skills thereof. Monthly about 445 persons with disabilities are provided with services in about 11 day care centres. Round-the-clock care for persons with disabilities (including those with intellectual and mental health issues) is organised in 5 small group homes.
For the purpose of carrying out the above-mentioned services, grant allocation tenders are announced for, as a result of which grants from the state budget of the Republic of Armenia are disbursed to the successful organisations for the purpose of organising the care, employment, and training of necessary skills for persons with disabilities.
b. monitoring institutions and foster families accommodating persons with disabilities;
c. procedure for the selection and appointment of legal guardians and monitoring of their work;
d. access to adequate accommodation, education and work;
e. access to information and reporting/complaints mechanisms which are accessible to persons with disabilities.
6. How do you ensure in practice that an assessment of the vulnerability and special needs of asylum seekers is carried out at an early stage? What procedures are followed when vulnerability to THB is detected? Please provide information on policies and measures in the following areas:
a. provision of comprehensive and accessible information, in a range of relevant languages, on the rights of asylum seekers, indicators of THB, rights of victims of THB, and contacts of relevant organisations;
b. access to legal assistance and representation;
Part 1 of Article 64 of the Republic of Armenia Constitution stipulates: "Everyone has the right to legal aid. In cases defined by law, legal aid is provided at the expense of state funds." Clause 13 of Part 5 of Article 41 of the Law "On Advocacy" defines the provision of free legal aid (public protection) for the persons recognized as victims or victims of a special category by the Commission for the Identification of Victims of Human Trafficking and Exploitation in accordance with the procedure established by law.
c. access to decent accommodation, health (including psychological) care, work and education.
According to the Government Decree of the Armenia of 4 March 2004 No 318-N “On State-guaranteed free delivery of medical aid and services”, individuals affected by human trafficking and exploitation have the right to receive state-guaranteed medical assistance and services free of charge and preferential terms, including medical care and services provided using the latest and most expensive technologies.
According to the National Referral Mechanisms for victims of Human Exploitation (Human trafficking) in Armenia (Republic of Armenia Government Decree of 20 November 2008 No 1385-A), the referral of a victim of human trafficking or someone at risk of being trafficked, for appropriate assistance is conducted through the mediation of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. Reimbursement for the medical services provided is funded through the state budget.
Psychological care is not recognized as a type of medical assistance and care in Armenia, consequently, the provision of such care for victims of human trafficking doesn’t fall within the authority of the Ministry of Health of Armenia.
The Migration and Citizenship Service, within the framework of the procedures carried out in separate proceedings regarding asylum applications, has the opportunity to hold a preliminary interview, provide free legal advice and conduct a basic (if necessary, additional) interview with the asylum seekers in the language available to them with the participation of an interpreter. This can be performed at different stages of the proceedings: whether it’s initiation, deliberation or final stage. If the preliminary interview reveals that the asylum seeker has a certain indicator of vulnerability or is a person with special needs, specialists such as psychologists or social workers are immediately involved in the further process of granting asylum in relation to him/her. These professionals who appear to be case managers in such situations, must have undergone appropriate training and have the necessary skills to work with such persons[4]. In order to identify potential victims of trafficking or exploitation among asylum seekers, special attention is paid to certain indicators in their behaviour and history. On the basis of these observations, Migration and Citizenship Officials shape their approach by asking unconventional questions during the interview or consultation in order to avoid making the person even more vulnerable. Such asylum-seekers are provided with the contact information of relevant international and national NGOs, and in some cases contact with the latter is established through officials of the Migration and Citizenship Service. They have priority access to all the rights granted by the RA Law on Refugees and Asylum. These rights include free legal aid, access to qualified representation, health care, employment opportunities and education.
The identification of potential victims of human trafficking or exploitation by the Migration and Citizenship Service is not a purpose per se, but should imply an appropriate follow-up (this also follows from the logic of domestic legal regulations, in particular, the 2014 Law on Identification and Assistance to Victims of Human Trafficking and Exploitation and the National Referral Mechanism for victims of trafficking and exploitation and other legal acts). The Referral Mechanism is an important tool to ensure comprehensive support to the victim, from the identification process to full rehabilitation. It is a skilful network of cooperation between government and non-government agencies united in the fight against human trafficking and exploitation, providing dignified assistance to the victim. The victim is referred only with his own consent, from the moment he's identified, and encouraging and explanatory measures are also carried out to urge the victim to cooperate with the state legal authorities.
The Migration and Citizenship Service officials refer the alleged victim to the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs or to the Police for pre-identification purposes. The telephone numbers of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, the Police and the partner NGO 'Democracy Today' are provided also.
The data of the identified victim, including the results of the interview conducted, as well as identification documents, are transmitted to the Police and the RA Investigative Committee, while maintaining strict confidentiality.
7. What specific measures are taken to reduce the vulnerability to THB of migrant workers (including seasonal workers, seconded/posted workers, domestic workers, diplomatic household employees)? Please provide information on policies and measures in the following areas:
a. provision of comprehensive and accessible information, in a range of relevant languages, on migration and labour laws, worker protection and contacts of relevant organisations;
b. provision of clear employment contracts;
The Labour Code of the Republic of Armenia does not clearly prescribe the content of an employment agreement, of an individual legal act on employment (part 1 of Article 84). Particularly, it is prescribed that the following shall be mentioned in the individual legal act on employment, in the employment agreement:
(1) year, month, date and location of adoption of the individual legal act and conclusion of the employment agreement;
(2) name, surname, patronymic of the employee;
(3) title of the employer or the name, surname, and patronymic of the natural person employer;
(3.1) place of work;
(4) the structural or separate sub-division or office or institution (if any) of the employer, where the employee will work;
(5) year, month and date of the commencement of work;
(6) title of the position and/or employment functions or reference to a document prescribing the functions deriving from the position;
(7) amount of the basic salary (including taxes paid from the salary, social or other mandatory payments prescribed by law) and the method of determination thereof (hourly, daily, work-based or monthly rate);
(8) bonuses, additional payments, premiums granted to employees in the prescribed manner;
(9) validity period of the individual legal act or the employment agreement (upon necessity);
(10) in case of defining a probation — duration and terms of the probation;
(11) working time regime (normal duration of working time, or part-time work, or short duration of working time, or total calculation of working time) and weekly duration (except for the total calculation of working time);
(12) type (minimum, additional, extended) and duration of annual leave;
(13) position, name and surname of the person signing the individual legal act or the employment agreement;
(14) methods of notifying each other by the employer and employee regarding the working relations.
c. access to decent work and housing, health care, social services and education;
d. possibility to change employers;
e. access to confidential complaints mechanisms;
f. right to join trade unions and to engage in collective bargaining;
Pursuant to part 1 of Article 7 of the Labour Code of the Republic of Armenia, the labour legislation and other regulatory legal acts containing norms of labour law shall apply to employment relations having arisen in the territory of the Republic of Armenia, irrespective of the fact whether the work is performed in the Republic of Armenia or in another state upon the assignment of the employer. Thus, within the meaning of the given regulation, the status of an employee or the fact of being or not being a migrant worker is not separated.
Meanwhile, the Labour Code of the Republic of Armenia prescribes that the objective of the labour legislation is to define the state guarantees for employment rights and freedoms of natural persons, i.e. citizens of the Republic of Armenia, foreign nationals and stateless persons (Article 2 of the Labour Code of the Republic of Armenia).
According to Article 21 of the Labour Code of the Republic of Armenia, for the purpose of protection and representation of their rights and interests, employers and employees may freely and voluntarily join and establish trade unions and employers’ associations in the manner prescribed by law.
Meanwhile, part 1 of Article 45 of the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia with the amendments of 6 December 2015 prescribes that everyone shall have the right to freedom of association with others, including the right to form and join trade unions for the protection of labour interests. No one may be compelled to join any private association.
Pursuant to the Law of the Republic of Armenia "On trade unions" (Article 6), employees who have concluded an employment contract with the employer concerned and who perform work within and outside the territory of the Republic of Armenia, including foreign citizens and stateless persons, may become members to a trade union organisation.
That is to say, it should be noted that, under the legislation of the Republic of Armenia, there are no hindrances for migrant workers to be a participant of trade union organisations and to participate in collective bargaining within the framework of the trade union.
g. legal avenues for regularising their stay in the country.
According to Article 30(2) of the RA Law "On Foreigners", a foreigner in a period of reflection — whether a victim or a suspected victim of trafficking — is exempted from the obligation to leave the Republic of Armenia, even if his/her legal stay on the territory of the Republic of Armenia has expired. This provision also implies that the expulsion of a foreigner in a period of reflection from the RA territory cannot be judicially enforced. Thus, the law recognizes the vulnerability of such a person and protects him/her from unnecessary persecution.
8. Do labour inspectorates and other authorities checking workplace conditions possess a comprehensive mandate, and adequate human, financial and technical resources, to conduct regular, proactive workplace inspections in all economic sectors, with a particular emphasis on high-risk sectors prone to exploitation? How do labour inspectors co-operate with other authorities and trade unions? Is there a separation between labour inspection and immigration control functions?
The Health and Labour Inspection Body of the Republic of Armenia (hereinafter also referred to as "the Inspection Body) exercises state supervision over the compliance with the requirements of the labour legislation and other regulatory legal acts containing norms of labour law, as well as collective and employment agreements by the employers. Inspections are carried out against economic entities (employers) registered through the procedure prescribed by legislation.
The Inspection Body is represented in the working group established for the purpose of organising the current works of the Council for the Fight against Trafficking in and Exploitation of Human Beings in the Republic of Armenia. In the course of its activities the Inspection Body cooperates with the competent state bodies and other organisations, including within the scope of implementation of the national programme for organising fight against trafficking in and exploitation of human beings.
The authorities of the Inspection Body are prescribed by the Charter of the Health Labour Inspection Body of the Republic of Armenia (hereinafter referred to as "the Charter") approved by law and Decision of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia No 755-N of 11 June 2018.
The following are from among the main principles of the labour legislation prescribed by part 1 of Article 3 of the Labour Code of the Republic of Armenia (hereinafter referred to as "the Code"): prohibition of compulsory or forced labour of any form (nature) and of violence against employees (point 2), ensuring the right to fair working conditions for every employee (including conditions ensuring safety and meeting hygiene requirements, right to rest) (point 4). Article 3.2 of the Code prescribes, that compulsory or forced labour shall be prohibited and the same article provides the definitions of compulsory or forced labour.
Article 3.3 of the Code prescribes that violence or sexual harassment at work (workplace) shall be prohibited and the same article provides the definition of violence at workplace or other place of performance of employment duties (including secondments).
The Charter does not assign the Inspection Body with the special authority of detecting compulsory or forced labour, while at the same time exercising state supervision over labour law, including in the field of healthcare and safety of employees and providing the guarantees prescribed by the labour legislation for persons under the age of 18, the Inspection Body prevents violations of the requirements of the labour legislation, including forced labour, and in case detecting features of forced labour during the supervision, it must inform the competent authorities about it.
Within the scope of its competences, the Inspection Body exercises supervision over the compliance with the norms of the labour law prescribed by also the Law "On foreigners" and, according to Article 230 of the Code "On Administrative Offences", examines cases regarding violations of the Law "On foreigners", imposes administrative penalties.
As a result of exchange of information (including through application of unified electronic platform for work permits) with the State Revenue Committee, the Police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, Migration and Citizenship Service during 2023-2024, supervision functions have been performed based on the given information. Data on the recorded violations have been forwarded to the competent authorities.
9. How are employment and recruitment agencies regulated and monitored? Are all stages of the recruitment process, including advertisements, selection, transport, and placement, subject to regulation? Are recruitment fees and related costs prohibited from being borne by workers or jobseekers?
The state body with the legislative function of employment and recruitment is the Unified Social Service of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia (USS), which delivers the following services to persons seeking jobs and the unemployed persons: consultation regarding the Legislation of the Republic of Armenia, available job vacancies, mediation for job placement, job referral by involving in state employment programmes. According to Legislation of the Republic of Armenia, delivery of the mentioned services by the USS shall be free of charge. As for the activities of private agencies regarding the job referral, no mechanisms are prescribed by the Legislation of the Republic of Armenia for supervision over the activities of those agencies.
10. How do you prevent and sanction abuses of legal constructions such as self-employment, letter-box companies, sub-contracting, and posting of workers, which may be used to commit THB?
11. How do your country’s migration legislation and policies seek to prevent THB by enabling lawful migration and legal employment opportunities accompanied by decent work conditions?
How do the country’s migration legislation and policy seek to prevent trafficking by enabling lawful migration and legal employment opportunities accompanied by decent work conditions?
Pursuant to Article 2 of the Labour Code of the Republic of Armenia, the objective of the labour legislation is to:
(1) define the state guarantees for employment rights and freedoms of natural persons, i.e. citizens of the Republic of Armenia, foreign nationals and stateless persons (hereinafter referred to as "the citizens");
(2) contribute to the creation of favourable working conditions;
(3) protect the rights and interests of employees and employers.
The Inspection Body exercises state supervision over the compliance with the requirements of the labour legislation and other regulatory legal acts containing norms of labour law, as well as of collective and employment agreements by the employers; besides, within the scope of its competences, it exercises supervision over the compliance with the norms of the labour law prescribed by the Law "On foreigners" (Articles 22, 22.1 and 27 of the Law of the Republic of Armenia "On foreigners").
During the 9 months of 2024, about 70 cases of violations by employers of the norms of employment of foreigners prescribed by the Legislation were recorded.
12. How do your country’s law and policies to discourage demand that leads to THB address particular vulnerabilities and groups at risk of THB?
13. How do your country’s legislation and practice ensure that there is an individual assessment of protection needs at the borders prior to any refusals of entry or expulsions?
14. What measures are taken to prevent THB in sports? What sectors and categories/groups of people have been identified as being at risk?
15. Have you identified online practices that may increase the risk of becoming a victim of THB for different forms of exploitation? What mechanisms have been developed to prevent the misuse of information and communication technology for THB purposes? What is the practical effect of their implementation?
The Ministry of High-Tech Industry of Armenia has identified certain online practices, especially those involving children that can increase the risk of exploitation, including THB. These risks include exposure to harmful content, online grooming through social media, and misleading job offers targeting vulnerable individuals.
To prevent the misuse of information and communication technologies for trafficking purpose, the Ministry organises discussion such as the roundtable «Online safety for children». These events bring together government bodies, NGOs and technology companies to raise awareness and share best practices regarding online safety. Additionally the Ministry collaborates with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), UNICEF, and local organisations to strengthen online safety policies and develop a national strategy for online security. These initiatives primarily focus on promoting safe technology use, especially among children.
These cooperative efforts have led to improved monitoring of online platforms, more efficient reporting mechanisms, and better responses to potential trafficking-related activities.
16. What measures are taken to raise awareness of the risks of technology-facilitated THB, including among children, parents, teachers, child care professionals and social workers? What technology-based initiatives exist in your country to disseminate information to groups/communities at risk of THB?
Relevant information is available in the information of sub-point "b" of point 4 of the Section "Prevention".
The Ministry of High-Tech Industry of the Republic of Armenia collaborates with tech companies to ensure that digital platforms provide educational content and alerts about the risks of technology-facilitated THB. This includes the integration of safety features on platforms that notify users about suspicious activities or risks, especially for children using social media.
The Ministry of High-Tech Industry of the Republic of Armenia, in collaboration with international organizations NGOs, organizes public awareness campaigns focused on the risks of technology-facilitated trafficking.
Taking into account the circumstance that the National Programme for Organising the Fight against Trafficking in and Exploitation of Human Beings in the Republic of Armenia in 2023-2025 envisages holding of trainings on the topics regarding human rights (including issues of trafficking or exploitation, forced labour, all forms of cyber-trafficking) for students in all public schools, as well as in educational institutions implementing primary (handicraft) and secondary vocational educational programmes, in cooperation with non-governmental organisations carrying out activities in the field of fight against trafficking in and exploitation of human beings, the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia carries out awareness-raising activities on the topics of cyber security and cyber-trafficking. Within the framework of "Fight Against Trafficking" Programme, "UMCOR Armenia" Charitable Foundation NGO holds training courses for raising awareness on trafficking in human beings for groups vulnerable to trafficking, as well as training courses on cyber-trafficking (exploitation of human beings using modern technologies) and cyber security among young people. In 2023, informative seminars on cyber-trafficking and cyber security were held in educational institutions of Yerevan. After the seminar, informational materials were distributed to the students.
As already mentioned, as a result of the analysis of the situational and statistical data of 2023, the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia developed a public awareness raising programme jointly with "Democracy International", within the framework whereof a five-month public awareness-raising campaign on fight against trafficking in human beings was launched from July 2024. Within the framework of the awareness-raising campaign, public awareness campaigns were conducted and continue to be conducted in all marzes of the Republic of Armenia. Within the framework of the awareness-raising campaign, children were also chosen as a separate target group. Taking account the circumstance that along with the development of information technologies, the cases of cybercrimes have increased, cybercrimes and cyber-trafficking were chosen as the main topic of the campaign among children. Besides, a new section has been added in the website antitrafficking.am, which contains information on cybertrafficking, link: http://antitrafficking.am/cyber-trafficking/.
17. How do you cooperate with ICT companies and Internet service providers, including content hosts and social media, in preventing THB?
The Ministry of High-Tech Industry of the Republic of Armenia regularly organizes workshops and roundtables that include participation from ICT companies, content hosts, ISPs, and social media platforms. These events provide a space for sharing best practices, developing policies, and addressing emerging threats related to THB. The exchange of expertise between stakeholders strengthens our collective ability to combat online exploitation of users.
ISPs and ICT companies collaborate with the Ministry on cybersecurity initiatives aimed at protecting digital platforms from misuse by traffickers. This includes joint efforts to secure online platforms, prevent data breaches, and enhance user privacy.
18. How are policies and practices aimed at preventing THB informed by the experiences of victims and at-risk individuals?
Strategic programmes and action plans of the Republic of Armenia are also developed based on the experience and problems of persons, to whose protection the policy is aimed at. Monitoring and evaluation of the programmes of the Ministry is carried out every year by the Division of Summary Analysis of the Department of Summary Analysis, Monitoring and Evaluation of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, involving representatives of the target groups. The Department of Summary Analyses, Monitoring and Evaluation of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, together with the "National Institute of Labour and Social Research" SNPO, has implemented monitoring of the Programme "Social-psychological rehabilitation services for persons subjected to trafficking and exploitation, sexual violence" and measures of Provision of Lump-Sum Monetary Compensation for Victims of Trafficking in and/or Exploitation of Human Beings, within the scope of which surveys and analysis of the results thereof have been conducted among the beneficiaries of the Programme. The method for quantitative surveys has been used for conducting surveys among the beneficiaries, with a standardised questionnaire, which was conducted in an on-line format. Actually, 10 beneficiaries participated in the survey. The results of the above-mentioned analysis provide an opportunity to assess all the problems within the framework of trafficking in and exploitation of human beings, which are most common in the Republic of Armenia, and to further develop policies, taking into account the results of the analysis. Link to the information on the above-mentioned analysis is attached: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iBnjOudLqk3ge7aJz1j1luGuD83Ab9zd/view?usp=drive_link ։ In addition, analysis of interviews with persons subjected to trafficking are held by sectoral experts, on the basis whereof the main problems are highlighted and appropriate recommendations are presented for the purpose of further enhancement of prevention measures and services being provided to victims.
IDENTIFICATION OF VICTIMS AND PROTECTION OF THEIR RIGHTS (Articles 10, 11, 12, 14 and 16)
20. What specific measures are taken to ensure that trafficked persons who are migrant workers, including in an irregular situation, are identified as victims of THB and have access to the rights provided for in the Convention? Is there cooperation with specialised NGOs, trade unions, and employers to enhance the identification and protection of potential victims within these at-risk groups?
21. What measures are in place to encourage victims of THB to report their situation to the authorities and/or civil society organisations?
The purpose of the main measures is to inform the public, including the victims and potential victims of trafficking, about the criminality of the phenomenon and possible obstruction and prevention through public awareness campaigns.
22. What specific measures are taken in your country to detect/identify and refer to assistance possible victims of THB at the borders? What measures are taken in your country to identify victims of THB during the examination of asylum applications and prior to the return of persons whose applications are rejected?
If potential victims of trafficking are identified at an official border control point, a report will be submitted to the police authorities. In cases where persons apply directly to the Migration and Citizenship Service, the latter also informs the Police authorities of a potential trafficked person as part of the asylum procedure. The issues relating to measures to identify victims of trafficking during the asylum application process are detailed in Question 6 of Paragraph I of Part 1 of the questionnaire.
23. What measures are taken in your country to identify victims of THB in immigration detention centres and prisons?
It should be noted that in the penitentiary institutions of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia (hereinafter referred to as the Institute) in order to identify the victims of trafficking, a suicide and self-harm risk assessment is carried out with a person deprived of liberty upon entering the facility, as well as risk and needs assessment is carried out for all convicts.
The said evaluations imply a private interview in a reliable environment and the collection of detailed data about the given person, as well as appropriate professional work, during which, in case of receiving such information, appropriate actions are carried out according to the procedure defined by Republic of Armenia legislation.
24. What services are available in your country to provide specific assistance to particularly vulnerable victims, such as:
a. persons with disabilities;
b. LGBTI+ persons;
c. victims with children;
d. victims with severe mental and physical trauma;
e. homeless persons;
f. other.
Services for persons subjected to trafficking in and exploited of human beings are available to all and the above-mentioned vulnerable groups also receive appropriate support.
Conditioned by the peculiarities of the representatives of vulnerable groups, the services are adapted to the needs thereof, ensuring the provision of proper support.
25. How do you support the (re)integration of victims of THB? What processes are in place in your country to provide assistance to victims of THB exploited abroad after their return?
The Programme "Social-psychological rehabilitation services for persons subjected to trafficking and exploitation, sexual violence" includes a re-socialisation component, within the framework whereof support is provided to the victims of trafficking in and exploitation of human beings for the purpose of reintegration and their re-socialisation is ensured; victims of trafficking having returned from abroad also receive appropriate support.
Pursuant to part 1 of Article 2 of Law HO-457-N of 16 December 2022 "On making amendments and a supplement to Law "On the structure and activities of the Government", the development and implementation of the Government policy in the fields of integration or reintegration of refugees, displaced persons, long-term migrants having received asylum in the Republic of Armenia and forced returnees of RA citizens is entrusted to the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia. The Ministry carries out works for development of strategic programme for integration and re-integration. "Dormitory" SNCO functions under the subordination of the Ministry, which temporarily provides dormitory rooms to the refugees.
26. If there is a provision in your country’s law that provides for the possibility of issuing a residence permit owing to the victim’s personal situation, how is this interpreted in practice? Please provide examples.
Although the law provides that a foreigner recognised as a victim or potential victim of trafficking is entitled to a temporary residence permit, no such person has been granted a residence status on this basis to date.
27. What measures are in place to ensure that the identity, or details allowing the identification, of a child victim of trafficking are not made publicly known?
The Commission for Identification of Victims Subjected to Trafficking in and Exploitation of Human Beings, operating on the basis of the Law of the Republic of Armenia "On identification of and assistance to persons subjected to trafficking in and exploitation of human beings", carries out its activities through closed and confidential procedures. The data of all victims and potential victims is available only to the members of the above-mentioned Commission. Besides, pursuant to point 2 of Article 6 of the above-mentioned Law, "Provisions prescribed by this Law shall be implemented only with the consent of a person, ensuring the confidentiality of his or her personal data and private life, unless otherwise it derives from the interests thereof, excluding leakage or publication of information anyhow threatening the life and dignity of the person."
According to Article 7 of the Law "On Identification and Support of Persons Exposed to Human Trafficking and Exploitation", "It is prohibited to publish such information about a person subjected to human trafficking or exploitation through mass media or other means, which will allow to identify the latter's identity, except for cases arising from his interests, by the decision of the Commission for the Identification of Victims of Human Trafficking and Exploitation, unless otherwise provided by the legislation of the Republic of Armenia".
Therefore, if we are talking about the identity or details of a "trafficking victim" child, then in this case it should also be stated that in the context of the existing legislative regulation, it is forbidden to make publicly known data, related to the identity of the person.
28. What measures are in place aimed at encouraging the media to protect the private life and identity of victims?
One of the objectives of the National Programme for Organising the Fight against Trafficking in and Exploitation of Human Beings in the Republic of Armenia in 2023-2025 is to enhance the role of mass media in preventing the phenomenon of trafficking in or exploitation of human beings. Within the framework of the above-written, the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia organises an Annual journalism awards for reporting on trafficking in and exploitation of human beings. The annual journalism awards ceremony was held in the following categories:
1. TV/Radio production;
2. Printed and electronic materials.
The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia holds also trainings on the topic of trafficking in and exploitation of human beings for journalists and representatives of the mass media.
29. Have there been cases of diplomatic households (of your country’s diplomats abroad and of foreign diplomats in your country) employing domestic staff in conditions which could be forced labour or human trafficking? If yes, how was the issue of diplomatic immunity addressed? How were the victims identified, assisted and protected?
30. What specific steps are taken in your country to identify victims of THB amongst persons recruited and exploited by terrorist/armed groups?
31. Are there requirements in your country’s legal framework for the detection and removal of THB-related Internet content, and what are the sanctions for non-compliance? Is there a code of conduct for providers? If a person is detected as a presumed victim of THB in the process, how is this person referred to assistance?
INVESTIGATION, PROSECUTION, SANCTIONS AND MEASURES (Articles 4, 18, 19, 23, 24, 27, 28 and 30)
32. Is the abuse of a position of vulnerability part of the human trafficking offence in your country’s law? How are the concepts of “vulnerability” and “abuse of a position of vulnerability” defined in law? Have they been subject to judicial interpretation? If yes, please provide relevant case-law.
According to Article 188 of the Criminal Code (hereinafter referred to as the Criminal Code) adopted on May 5, 2021, criminal liability is provided for human trafficking - to recruit, transport, transfer, hide or receive a person for the purpose of exploitation, as well as to put or keep a person in a state of exploitation or exploitation. Using violence, or the threat of doing so or other forms of coercion, kidnapping, fraud or abuse of trust, using the influence of a person's position or official position or authority, or the personal dependence or vulnerability of the person affected by the crime, or for the purpose of reaching an agreement with the person controlling the person affected by the crime (….)". The new regulations of the Criminal Code use the concept of "using the influence arising from a person's position or official position or authority, or using the personal dependence or vulnerability of a person affected by a crime."
Thus.
According to Article 3, Part 4 of the Criminal Code, "vulnerability of a situation is a situation in which a person finds himself with no alternative acceptable to him than to submit to the abuse committed against him". Moreover, we talk about any type of state vulnerability: physical, mental, psychological, emotional, family, social or economic.
It is noteworthy that Article 188, Part 3, Clause 2 of the Criminal Code provides for criminal liability for human trafficking or exploitation, which negligently caused the death or serious damage to the health of a person affected by a crime or led to the person affected by a crime or his suicide of a close relative or loved one or caused another serious consequence.
Furthermore, according to Article 189 of the Criminal Code, criminal liability is provided for trafficking a child or a helpless person, recruiting, transporting, transferring, hiding or receiving a child or a helpless person for the purpose of exploitation, as well as exploiting or putting such a person in a position of exploitation or to keep. It should also be noted that a stricter responsibility is provided for the above-mentioned act.
33. Is the special vulnerability of the victim considered as an aggravating factor for the offender's sentence?
The special vulnerability of the victim (suffering from mental illness, having physical defects, being a child) is provided for by the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia under a separate Article (189), for which, as compared to simple trafficking, a more severe punishment is envisaged, but those circumstances are not envisaged as separate special aggravating circumstances.
34. According to national case-law, what forms of vulnerability are mostly abused by offenders in human trafficking cases? Please provide specific examples that show how the concept of “abuse of a position of vulnerability” is used in practice. What are the challenges in its application? Is it sufficient to prove the existence of a position of vulnerability of the victim, or must it also be proven that the defendant knew or should have known of the victim’s vulnerability, and intentionally manipulated the victim on this basis?
People not have housing, work, profession, minimum living conditions, and having low legal awareness are mostly trafficked. For example, a resident of one of the marzes of the Republic of Armenia, despite his middle age, did not have his own family and job, lived alone with his retired parents, and their living conditions were supported by the social benefits of the parents thereof. A noncitizen, familiar with that person's condition, offered him a cattle-breeding job in a border village tens of kilometres away, promising an adequate salary, as well as several calves the cattle gave birth to. The person agreed to the offer in order to somehow financially support his parents and to work and went to the place indicated by the employer, where he lived for about 2 years. At the beginning, he was engaged in cattle breeding, and after a while, upon the recommendation of the same employer, he also managed the trade of the grocery store owned by the employer. The employer provided him with very limited food, because of which he satisfied his hunger by eating one or two slices of sausage or sweets from the store. After learning about it, the employer severely beat him as if for stealing, did not allow him to use a little more fuel in the cold weather; his accommodation-room did not meet the conditions suitable for humans, it did not have a bathroom, was not heated enough, in the cold weather he could not take care of his hygiene in any way, and in hot weather he was able to bathe in the nearby river. He satiated his continued hunger with a dog food, eating the soft pieces therefrom. At the same time, the employer was informed that the employee was wanted by the competent authorities of the Russian Federation and, being well aware that the Republic of Armenia does not extradite its citizens, used that circumstance in order to limit the free movement of the employee, advising him not to leave the workplace alone, because he might be arrested by the police. During about those 2 years, the employer transferred only AMD 20,000 to the parents of the employee, stating that he had set aside calves for their son. After the gatherings having taken place during the occasions at the employer's house, the latter forced the employee to clean the house, wash the dishes, etc. Using every little reason, the employer used violence against the employee, punishing him in that way, and as a result, he caused severe damage to the employee's health in the end, with permanent deterioration of health. The criminal case in this case is in the stage of trial. In order to incriminate the abuse of the vulnerability of the victim's state to the criminal, it is necessary to prove also that he was aware of it and used that circumstance.
Vulnerable conditions have also emerged among prostitutes during 2020-2021, among the above, due to being exploited as a result of the accumulation of monetary debts, including inflated ones, due to the decrease in the number of clients /due to COVID-19/.
In the case of labor exploitation, in addition to the above, the vulnerable situation of the woman subjected to labor exploitation in the animal farm, having previously been a student in an orphanage, was caused by the fact that her social ties were weak.
35. Is the concept of “abuse of a position of vulnerability” addressed in criminal justice training? Is there any specific guidance on applying this concept? Please provide copies of guidance and/or training materials that shed light on how this concept should be applied in practice.
In the relevant courses, reference is also made to the term of vulnerability of the victim's state, the characteristics thereof. In 2023 a relevant guideline was introduced in the Investigative Committee of the Republic of Armenia on the peculiarities of investigation of trafficking, which also touches on the vulnerability of the state.
Within the framework of the "Together Against Human Trafficking" project of the US Embassy in the Republic of Armenia and "World Vision" International NGO, the Deputy Head of the Department and the Senior Prosecutor of the Department were involved in the development of the module "Toward Ensuring Victim-Centered Approaches and Victim-Centered Investigation in Criminal Proceedings Regarding Human Trafficking and Exploitation" by the group, and as a result of the module created in 2023, training courses for prosecutors, investigators and police officers were conducted in the Academy of Justice during the same year. In addition, the RA Deputy Prosecutor General circulated the guide on "Trauma Awareness and Victim-Centered Approaches in Work with Human Trafficking or Exploited Persons".
In 2020-2023, as part of the training programs, 2,100 penitentiary officers were trained, during which the correctional officers underwent courses on "Prevention of Human Trafficking".
Within the framework of the subject "Criminal law of the Republic of Armenia", tutored in the Educational complex of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, students are presented with the corpus delicti of trafficking or exploitation in human beings provided for in Article 188 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia, including one of the two possible methods of trafficking or exploitation in human beings provided for in part 1 of this article, namely the use of personal dependence or the vulnerability of the position of the person affected by the crime. Educational material on this subject is included in the manual "Criminal Law of the Republic of Armenia. Special Section" (D.A. Tumasyan, K. Hovhannisyan. RA Police Educational Complex, Yerevan, Limush, 2022, 914 pages (pages 235-236 of the manual)), guaranteed for printing by the Scientific Council of the RA Police Educational Complex. This manual is provided to the students as basic teaching material.
36. What procedures and measures exist in your country to take into account the specific needs of vulnerable victims at the different stages of criminal proceedings?
Legal aid available to the victim is initiated and provided with the involvement of the public defender, the victim's needs are discussions with the relevant authorities, assessed and accordingly the victim is placed in an appropriate shelter, presented for medical examination, expert examination, etc.
37. If you have criminalised the use of services of a victim of THB, how is this provision applied in practice? Please provide any relevant case-law.
Article 190 of the Criminal Code stipulates criminal liability for using the service of a person in a state of exploitation, if the user of the service is aware of the fact that the person is in a state of exploitation, and the features of the crimes provided for in Articles 188 and 189 of this Code are absent.
38. What technology-based tools and initiatives exist in your country to support investigations and enhance prosecution of THB cases? What training is provided to law enforcement officials, prosecutors and judges on THB facilitated by information and communication technology?
No targeted support or teaching was applied for investigators on the peculiarities of investigating trafficking through information and telecommunications technologies.
See Annex 1.
In September 2010, with the support of the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and in cooperation with the RA Police and the OSCE Yerevan Office and with the support of the Government of Norway, an innovative computer classroom was established at the RA Police Educational Complex. An advanced computer-based programme for the training of law enforcement officers was launched there. It covers important topics such as detecting and combating human trafficking, drug trafficking and border control violations. The programme includes pre-assessment tests and is enriched with animated and graphic videos, as well as interactive elements that allow for more effective learning of complex aspects.
39. In what ways, if any, does your country utilise provisions from the Council of Europe Cybercrime Convention (Budapest Convention) to fight THB? If not, why is that the case?
Part II — Country-specific follow-up questions
40. Pleaseprovide information on measures taken in your country in respect to the following recommendations made in GRETA’s previous reports:
Upon the application of the provisions of the Law of the Republic of Armenia "On the profession of advocate", access to effective legal aid for victims of trafficking is ensured in criminal proceedings, an advocate is involved who acts as the authorised representative of the victim.
Within the framework of the Programme "Social-psychological rehabilitation services for persons subjected to trafficking and exploitation, sexual violence" and the Law of the Republic of Armenia "On identification of and assistance to the persons subjected to trafficking in and exploitation of human beings", by delegating to the non-government organisation, the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia delivers appropriate services and provides support, including legal aid, to potential victims and victims of trafficking in and exploitation of human beings. Potential victims of trafficking in and exploitation of human beings are provided with general counselling, and a person having already been recognised as a victim by the Commission for Identification of Victims Subjected to Trafficking in and Exploitation of Human Beings is also provided with legal assistance. Legal assistance is provided regardless of the circumstance whether the person wants to apply to law enforcement bodies or not. Along with legal assistance, free legal assistance is also provided.
Within the framework of the Programme "Social-psychological rehabilitation services for persons subjected to trafficking and exploitation, sexual violence", the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia envisages a tender for the financial support provided by the state in the form of a grant to the relevant non-government organisation. The NGO having won the tender delivers services to victims of trafficking in and exploitation of human beings during one year. The tender is held every year.
In the tender for financial support provided by the state in the form of a grant in December 2023 the "Sexual Violence Crisis Center" Public Organisation was declared the winner and will provide relevant services during 2024. The above-mentioned Programme and the supports provided within the framework thereof are fully implemented with state funding.
On the basis of the extract provided by the Chairperson of the Commission for Identification of Victims Subjected to Trafficking in and Exploitation of Human Beings, the Office of Public Defender of the Republic of Armenia also provides free legal assistance to the victims of trafficking in and exploitation of human beings.
It is also noteworthy that legal support and support of an advocate is provided as long as the victim needs it. According to statistics, court cases of victims of trafficking in and exploitation of human beings can last years, and during that whole time victims receive free legal aid and support of an advocate.
Ø guarantee access to compensation for victims of trafficking, in particular by facilitating compensation in criminal proceedings, strengthening the freezing and forfeiture of assets and training relevant professionals on the compensation of victims;
Ø strengthen investigations, prosecutions and convictions in trafficking cases, notably in cases of trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation;
Ø strengthen the assistance measures offered to all victims of trafficking, including men, in particular by providing adequate funding and facilitating access to the labour market and the re-integration of victims in society.
Within the framework of the Programme "Social-psychological rehabilitation services for persons subjected to trafficking and exploitation, sexual violence", the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia ensures availability of employment for persons subjected to trafficking in and exploitation of human beings. Particularly, it provides victims and, as appropriate, victims of special category with work they prefer, not prohibited by the legislation of the Republic of Armenia, in priority order.
The Programme "Social-psychological rehabilitation services for persons subjected to trafficking and exploitation, sexual violence" includes a re-socialisation component, within the framework whereof support is provided to the victims of trafficking in and exploitation of human beings for the purpose of reintegration.
The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia plans to expand the support and reintegration services for victims of trafficking in and exploitation of human beings, by adding:
· Inclusion of victims of trafficking in human beings in housing programmes;
· Professional courses;
· Courses on the language and socio-cultural features of the country for those victims who do not have a command of Armenian and have decided to settle in Armenia.
Funding was allocated for the Service "Professional Trainings" yet in the last year and the "Sexual Violence Crisis Center" Public Organisation received a grant for the purpose of its implementation. As of now, one person has enjoyed the new services offered, in particular, the possibility of a professional course. With the support of the "Sexual Violence Crisis Center" Public Organisation delivering the service, he or she participated in the courses and acquired the profession of auto mechanic.
The above-mentioned person is a victim with a special category of disability. Victims of trafficking in and exploitation of human beings are referred to also the Unified Social Service for the purpose of filling the vacancies. Within the meaning of filling vacancies, the USS gives priority to victims of trafficking in and exploitation of human beings.
Within the Programme "Social-psychological rehabilitation services for persons subjected to trafficking and exploitation, sexual violence", every year the Republic of Armenia also calls for a tender envisaged for financial support provided in the form of a grant. By delegating the non-governmental organisation having won the tender, the state provides all types of social support provided for by the legislation to persons subjected to trafficking in and exploitation of human beings within the framework of the above-mentioned Programme and the Law of the Republic of Armenia "On identification of and assistance to persons subjected to trafficking in and exploitation of human beings", including providing accommodation for persons subjected to trafficking in human beings, social-psychological, legal, advocacy, economic and other types of support. The state also provides assistance to potential victims of trafficking in and exploitation of human beings, which may include:
1) emergency medical aid;
2) provision of temporary shelters for the period of the pre-identification stage, including for the legal representative and for children under the custody thereof;
3) provision of general education;
4) in-kind aid of primary necessity;
5) primary psychological aid;
6) general consultation;
7) provision of care.
For years, "Democracy Today" NGO won the tender envisaged for financial support provided in the form of grants and delivered the relevant services. The "Sexual Violence Crisis Center" Public Organisation won the tender of December 2023, which will provide relevant services during 2024. The state also increased the amount of the State Budget within the framework of the services delivered to persons subjected to trafficking in and exploitation of human beings, sexual violence, doubling the amount in 2020 and the following years compared to 2019, reaching it about AMD 40. mln.
In 2023, the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia developed a trilingual (Armenian, English, Russian) information sample form, which presents the types of support provided to victims and potential victims of trafficking in and exploitation of human beings (link to the sample form: https://drive.google.com/file/d/14azAap0_Qv103UWoyZ2FSTmWhk48fRrU/view?usp=sharing ). The sample form also contains information on the support provided to potential victims of trafficking in and exploitation of human beings. A lump-sum monetary support is also included in the types of support, which amounts to AMD 250 thousand.
41. Please provide information on developments in your country since GRETA’s third evaluation report concerning:
Ø emerging trends of trafficking in human beings;
The statistics of the previous two years shows a decrease in the cases of sexual exploitation and a disproportionate increase in the cases of labour exploitation.
Ø the legislation and regulations relevant to action against THB;
In the field of fight against trafficking in human beings in the Republic of Armenia, three main directions are attached importance to: they are — improving the legal framework, implementing awareness-raising and training courses, delivering social-rehabilitation services to persons subjected to trafficking in and exploitation of human beings.
The following reforms were carried out within the framework of the improvement of the legal framework:
• In 2022, amendments were made to the Law of the Republic of Armenia "On identification of and assistance to the persons subjected to trafficking in and exploitation of human beings";
• In 2022, Decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia No 1534-N of 6 October 2022 "On approving of the indicators for identifying a person as a victim or a victim of a special category by the Commission for Identification of Victims Subjected to Trafficking in and Exploitation of Human Beings" was adopted;
• In 2022, Decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia No 1538-N of 6 October 2022 "On providing accommodation, in-kind, psychological, counselling, legal aid and care to victims and special category victims of trafficking in and exploitation of human beings, including defining the minimum quality standards in relevant institutions" was adopted;
• In 2024, Decision N 851-N "On establishing the procedure for selection of partner non-governmental organisations, the procedure for selection of representatives of non-governmental organisations in the Commission for the Identification of Victims Subjected to Trafficking in and Exploitation of Human Beings" was subjected to amendments.
Ø the institutional and policy framework for action against THB (co-ordinating bodies, specialised entities, national rapporteur or equivalent mechanism, involvement of civil society, public-private partnerships);
"The 7th National Programme for Organisation of the Fight against Trafficking in or Exploitation of Human Beings in the Republic of Armenia in 2023-2025" was approved upon Decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia No 31-L of 5 January 2023. Point 7.1.3 of the National Programme envisages to carry out activities aimed at independent assessment of the fight against trafficking in or exploitation of human beings. For the purpose of implementing the above-mentioned point and ensuring an independent assessment, the state envisages to entrust the action to the Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia. Within the framework of the fight against trafficking in and exploitation of human beings, all state agencies actively cooperate with sectoral and not only sectoral non-governmental organisations; the working group for combating trafficking in human beings is composed of an equal number of representatives of state agencies and civil society.
Ø the current national strategy and/or action plan for combating trafficking in human beings (objectives, main activities, budget, bodies responsible for the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of results);
As already mentioned, the actions presented in the National Programme for Organising Fight Against Trafficking in and Exploitation of Human Beings in the Republic of Armenia in 2023-2025 are aimed at the effective organisation of the fight against trafficking in or exploitation of human beings and are included in 7 main sections:
(1) improving the legislation on fight against trafficking in or exploitation of human beings;
(2) preventing trafficking in or exploitation of human beings;
(3) preventing trafficking in or exploitation of children;
(4) identification, protection of and assistance to persons subjected to trafficking in or exploitation of human beings;
(5) international cooperation;
(6) conducting studies;
(7) monitoring and assessment.
Ø The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia is responsible for monitoring and assessment of the National Programme. Every year, the Ministry submits the report summarising the actions planned by the National Programme to the Council on the Matters of Fight against Trafficking in and Exploitation of Human Beings in the Republic of Armenia.
Ø Link to the 2023 report:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PCMUQjkMiyzkf6i-tCeA7ziu0brOlWmP/view?usp=drive_link ։
Ø recent case-law concerning THB for different forms of exploitation.
The RA Court of Cassation has not made precedent decisions on trafficking.
Part III — Statistics on THB
42. Please, provide the following statistics, per year starting with 2022, where available disaggregated as indicated below:
Ø Number of presumed victims and identified victims of THB in the sense of having been recognised by a state institution or mandated NGO as bearers of rights to services provided for by the Convention (with breakdown by sex, age, nationality, form of exploitation, internal or transnational trafficking, and body which identified them).
Ø Number of victims of THB identified as part of the asylum procedure (disaggregated by sex, age, nationality, form of exploitation).
Ø Number of victims of THB who received assistance (disaggregated by sex, age, nationality, form of exploitation, internal or transnational trafficking).
Ø Number of child victims of THB who were appointed legal guardians.
Ø Number of victims of THB granted a recovery and reflection period (disaggregated by sex, age, nationality, form of exploitation).
Ø Number of victims of THB granted a residence permit, with an indication of the type of the permit (for the purpose of co-operation in the investigation/proceedings, on personal grounds, other) and its duration (disaggregated by sex, age, nationality, form of exploitation).
Ø Number of persons given refugee status or subsidiary/complementary protection on the grounds of being victims of THB (disaggregated by sex, age, nationality, form of exploitation).
Ø Number of victims of THB who claimed compensation, who were granted compensation and who effectively received compensation (disaggregated by sex, age, nationality, form of exploitation, with an indication of whether the compensation was provided by the perpetrator or the State, and the amount awarded).
Ø Number of victims of THB who received another form of financial support from the State, with the indication of the amount received.
Ø Number of victims of THB who received free legal aid.
Ø Number of victims of THB who were returned or repatriated to/from your country (disaggregated by sex, age, country of destination, form of exploitation).
Ø Number of investigations into THB cases (disaggregated by type of exploitation, with an indication of the number of victims concerned).
During 2022, 8 criminal cases were initiated regarding the exploitation of human beings (4 each on sexual exploitation and labour exploitation). 4 women were subjected to sexual exploitation, and 6 persons were subjected to labour exploitation, of which 1 is a woman, 1 is a minor boy.
During 2023, 27 criminal proceedings were initiated regarding the cases of trafficking in or exploitation of human beings (4 of which on sexual exploitation and 23 on labour exploitation). 6 persons were subjected to sexual exploitation, 2 of them women, 4 minors, 3 of which girls, and 5 persons were subjected to labour exploitation, out of which 4 were women, 1 was a minor boy.
During the 1st half of 2024, 16 criminal proceedings were initiated regarding the cases of trafficking in or exploitation of human beings (4 of which on sexual exploitation and 12 on labour exploitation). 2 persons — a young girl and a boy — were subjected to sexual exploitation, and 20 persons were subjected to labour exploitation: 10 were men, 6 of whom were foreigners /Indians/, 7 women, 3 of whom were foreigners /Turkmen/ and 3 children /boy/.
Ø Number of prosecutions in THB cases (disaggregated by type of exploitation, with an indication of the number of victims and defendants concerned).
In the course of 2022, public criminal prosecution was initiated against 2 persons (men) in 2 criminal proceedings for cases of sexual exploitation. In the same period, a public criminal prosecution was initiated against 2 persons (male) in 1 criminal proceeding for cases of labor exploitation.
In the course of 2023, public prosecution was initiated against 6 persons (3 men, 3 women) in 4 criminal proceedings for cases of sexual exploitation. In the same period, public criminal prosecution was initiated against 2 persons (male) in 2 criminal proceedings for cases of labor exploitation.
During the 1st half of 2024, a public criminal prosecution was initiated against 2 persons (male) in 1 criminal proceeding for cases of sexual exploitation. In the same period, a public criminal prosecution was initiated against 2 persons (male) in 1 criminal proceeding for cases of labor exploitation.
Ø Number of convicted perpetrators of THB (disaggregated by sex, age, nationality, form of exploitation).
In 2022, in 2 cases regarding labor exploitation being examined in court, guilty verdicts were passed against 2 persons /1 - a minor boy, 16 years old at the time of committing the crime, 1 - a woman, 67 years old/. Thus, in the first case (regarding a minor), the person was found guilty and sentenced to 5 years in prison, which was not applied conditionally and a probationary period of 2 years was appointed. 3 victims in the mentioned case were minors. In the second case (about a 67-year-old woman), she was found guilty and sentenced to 7 years in prison, which was not suspended, and was placed on probation for 5 years.
During 2023, 2 cases regarding labor exploitation, regarding 2 persons, were completed in the courts.
During the 1st half of 2024, no final judgments were issued.
Ø Number of convictions for THB, with an indication of the form of exploitation, whether the victim was adult or child, the type and duration of the penalties, and whether they were effectively enforced or suspended.
Ø Number of judgments in THB cases resulting in the confiscation of assets.
Ø Number of convictions of legal entities for THB.
See Annexes 1-5.
ANNEX 1
Information presented by the Ministry of Justice
STATEMENT OF INFORMATION
|
Course title |
Target group |
2024 |
|
Peculiarities of the status of victims in criminal proceedings |
Prosecutors |
30 |
|
Investigators |
88 |
|
|
Protection of rights of minor offenders or of those belonging to other vulnerable group |
Judges |
81 judges and 7 judge candidates |
|
Current issues of criminal law in the Republic of Armenia |
Prosecutors |
112 |
|
Investigators |
89 |
|
|
Investigators of the Anti-Corruption Committee |
19 |
|
|
Current issues of criminal procedure in the Republic of Armenia |
Judges |
113 judges and 15 judge candidates |
|
Main issues of qualification of crimes, including the main issues of qualification of trafficking in or exploitation of human beings, the main issues of qualification of crimes against the constitutional rights and freedoms of persons and citizens, the main issues of qualification of crimes against justice |
Investigators |
88 |
|
Presentation and consideration of the Criminal and Criminal Procedure Codes of the Republic of Armenia |
Investigators |
301 |
In addition to the mandatory training courses, in 2024, investigators and police officers underwent training based on the module "For ensuring victim-centered approaches and victim-centered investigation in criminal proceedings regarding trafficking in and exploitation of human beings", developed as part of co-operation between the Armenian Branch of the "World Vision International" international charitable organisation and the Academy of Justice.
Annex 2
Information presented by Ministry of Internal Affairs
Number of victims of trafficking identified in the asylum procedure (by gender, age, nationality, form of exploitation). 1 victim in 2023: gender: Female, age: 24 years, nationality: Haitian, form of exploitation: Sexual exploitation.
Number of persons granted refugee status or assistance/supplementary protection on the grounds that they were victims of trafficking (by gender, age, nationality, form of exploitation) – In 2023, a Haitian national who had been sexually exploited and trafficked in Turkey (gender: female) applied to the Migration and Citizenship Service. The applicant was granted RA refugee status in 2023.
|
Number of registered trafficking-related offences |
||||||||
|
Article of the Criminal Code of the RA |
Quantity |
Sent to court |
Terminated |
In the process |
||||
|
for the 12 months of 2022 |
||||||||
|
188․ Trafficking or exploitation in human beings |
7 |
2 |
1 |
4 |
||||
|
189․ Trafficking or exploitation of a child or a helpless person |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
||||
|
Total |
8 |
2 |
1 |
5 |
||||
|
for the 12 months of 2023 |
||||||||
|
188․ Trafficking or exploitation in human beings |
15 |
3 |
1 |
11 |
||||
|
189․ Trafficking or exploitation of a child or a helpless person |
4 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
||||
|
Total |
19 |
5 |
1 |
13 |
||||
|
for the first 8 months of 2024 |
||||||||
|
188․ Trafficking or exploitation in human beings |
25 |
1 |
0 |
24 |
||||
|
189․ Trafficking or exploitation of a child or a helpless person |
4 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
||||
|
Total |
29 |
1 |
0 |
28 |
||||
|
Number of persons prosecuted in trafficking-related cases |
||||||||
|
Period |
Quantity |
Sent to court |
Terminated |
|||||
|
for the 12 months of 2022 |
4 |
3 |
1 |
|||||
|
for the 12 months of 2023 |
3 |
3 |
0 |
|||||
|
for the first 8 months of 2024 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
|||||
|
Total |
9 |
8 |
1 |
|||||
Annex 3
Information by Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs
Information on victims identified in 2022:
|
Total |
6 persons |
|
Male |
1 persons |
|
Female |
4 persons |
|
child |
1 special category victim |
|
Sexual exploitation |
4 persons |
|
Labour exploitation |
2 persons |
|
Citizenship |
Republic of Armenia |
In 2022, 6 persons were recognised as victims/special category victims of trafficking and exploitation, and 2 victims were granted lump-sum assistance in the amount of AMD 250 000 prescribed by law in order to cover basic needs.
Sittings convened in 2023:
In the reporting period the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs convened 8 sittings of the Commission for Identification of Victims Subjected to Trafficking in and Exploitation of Human Beings, with the participation of the representatives of the Police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, the Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Armenia and partner non-governmental organisations. As a result of the sittings of the Commission for Identification 25 persons were recognised as victims/sepcial category victims of trafficking or exploitation, and 7 victims were granted lump-sum assistance in the amount of AMD 250 000 in order to cover the basic needs. Additionally, the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs filed 6 requests to the Ministry of Healthcare to provide primary medical assistance to the identified victims. All requests were granted and 5 victims (one of the victims received medical assistance twice) utilised medical services.
Information on victims identified in 2023:
|
Total |
25 persons |
|
Male |
12 persons |
|
Female |
13 persons |
|
Special category victim |
9 persons |
|
Persons with mental health issues |
3 persons |
|
2 male persons |
|
|
1 female person |
|
|
Child |
6 persons |
|
3 male children |
|
|
3 female children |
|
|
Sexual exploitation of children |
1 male children |
|
3 female children |
|
|
Labour exploitation of children |
2 male children |
|
Sexual exploitation |
7 persons |
|
Labour exploitation |
18 persons |
|
Citizenship |
All victims were citizens of the Republic of Armenia |
Age of identified persons
|
Sex |
Age |
Category |
Type of exploitation |
Place of exploitation |
|
Female |
47 |
sexual |
Yerevan |
|
|
Female |
24 |
sexual |
Yerevan |
|
|
Female |
55 |
Labour |
Vayots Dzor Marz |
|
|
Female |
66 |
Labour |
Kotayk Marz |
|
|
Female |
27 |
sexual |
Yerevan |
|
|
Female |
28 |
Labour |
Kotayk Marz |
|
|
Female |
43 |
Labour |
Kotayk Marz |
|
|
Female |
30 |
Labour |
Kotayk Marz |
|
|
Female |
28 |
special |
Labour |
Vayots Dzor Marz |
|
Female |
74 |
Labour |
Kotayk Marz |
|
|
Female |
12 |
special |
sexual |
Gegharkunik Marz |
|
Female |
special |
sexual |
Gegharkunik Marz |
|
|
Female |
special |
sexual |
Gegharkunik Marz |
|
|
Male |
60 |
labour |
Vayots Dzor Marz |
|
|
Male |
48 |
special |
labour |
Gegharkunik Marz |
|
Male |
37 |
having special needs |
labour |
Yerevan |
|
Male |
38 |
having special needs |
labour |
Yerevan |
|
Male |
26 |
having special needs |
labour |
Yerevan |
|
Male |
43 |
labour |
Russian Federation |
|
|
Male |
48 |
labour |
Russian Federation |
|
|
Male |
10 |
special |
labour |
Kotayk Marz |
|
Male |
12 |
special |
labour |
Vayots Dzor Marz |
|
Male |
30 |
special |
labour |
Armavir Marz |
|
Male |
46 |
labour |
Kotayk Marz |
|
|
Male |
special |
sexual |
Gegharkunik marz |
Sittings conducted as of September 2024
In the reporting period the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs convened 8 sittings of the Commission for Identification of Victims Subjected to Trafficking in and Exploitation of Human Beings, with the participation of the representatives of the Police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, the Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Armenia and partner non-governmental organisations. As a result of the sittings of the Commission for Identification 18 persons were recognised as victims/special category victims of trafficking or exploitation, and 1 victim (identified in 2023) was granted lump-sum assistance in the amount of AMD 250 000 in order to cover the basic needs. Additionally, the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs filed 3 requests to the Ministry of Healthcare of the Republic of Armenia to provide primary medical assistance to the victims/potential victims. The requests were granted and 3 victims and 1 potential victim (citizen of India) utilised medical services.
Information on victims identified in 9 months of 2024:
|
Total |
18 persons |
|
Male |
9 persons |
|
Female |
9 persons |
|
Special category victim |
8 persons |
|
Persons with mental health issues |
1 persons |
|
0 male persons |
|
|
1 female person |
|
|
Child |
7 persons |
|
4 male children |
|
|
3 female children |
|
|
Sexual exploitation of children |
3 male children |
|
2 female children |
|
|
Labour exploitation of children |
1 male children |
|
1 female children |
|
|
Sexual exploitation |
7 persons |
|
Labour exploitation |
11 persons |
|
Citizenship |
16 were citizens of the Republic of Armenia |
|
1 victim was a citizen of Turkmenistan |
Age of identified persons
|
Sex |
Age |
Category |
Type of exploitation |
Place of exploitation |
|
Female |
35 |
sexual |
Yerevan |
|
|
Female |
33 |
sexual |
Yerevan |
|
|
Female |
37 |
special |
labour |
Kotayk Marz |
|
Female |
66 |
labour |
Lori Marz |
|
|
Female |
11 |
special |
labour |
Tavush Marz |
|
Female |
1 year and 7 months |
special |
sexual |
Kotayk Marz |
|
Female |
Age-related data are not available |
labour |
Kotayk Marz |
|
|
Female |
51 |
labour |
Lori marz |
|
|
Female |
12 |
special |
sexual |
Yerevan |
|
Male |
1 year and 7 months |
special |
sexual |
Kotayk Marz |
|
Male |
5 |
special |
sexual |
Kotayk Marz |
|
Male |
56 |
labour |
Kotayk Marz |
|
|
Male |
39 |
labour |
Kotayk Marz |
|
|
Male |
67 |
labour |
Kotayk Marz |
|
|
Male |
Age-related data are not available |
labour |
Kotayk Marz |
|
|
Male |
10 |
special |
sexual |
Yerevan |
Every year the statistical data on victims of trafficking are posted on the official website of the Statistical Committee of the Republic of Armenia. The link to the official information of 2023 in English is attached here: https://armstat.am/file/article/soc_sit_2023_30.pdf. The purpose of the action "Social and psychological rehabilitation services for persons subjected to trafficking in and exploitation of human beings, sexual violence" is provision of social-psychological rehabilitation services for persons subjected to trafficking and exploitation based on the Law of the Republic of Armenia "On trafficking in and exploitation of human beings, identification and assistance", targeted at their physical, psychological and social rehabilitation, full reintegration into the social life. The action is implemented through delegation by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia.
The assistance provided to persons subjected to trafficking and exploitation under the Action include:
ü provision of shelters;
ü in-kind aid;
ü provision or re-issuance of necessary documents;
ü medical assistance and service;
ü psychological support;
ü counseling;
ü legal assistance;
ü provision of care, including in a relevant institution;
ü provision of translation services;
ü provision of general education;
ü ensuring access to secondary education or primary vocational (handicraft) education;
ü assistance with job placement;
ü organisation of safe return.
For the purpose of implementing the Action in 2023, the State Budget of the Republic of Armenia allocated AMD 37 674 400 to provide services to 8 persons subjected to trafficking and exploitation. In the reporting period actual services were provided to 23 persons subjected to trafficking and exploitation, AMD 30 722 300 were spent.
The information on assistance provided to the beneficiaries is presented below, by the type of the service:
|
Provision of social-psychological assistance |
||
|
1. |
Case 1 |
in-kind aid, psychological support, counseling, legal assistance (provision of an advocate), medical assistance |
|
2. |
Case 2 |
medical assistance, counseling |
|
3. |
Case 3 |
medical assistance, counseling |
|
4. |
Case 4 |
shelter, in-kind aid, psychological support, counseling, medical assistance |
|
5. |
Case 5 |
counseling, medical assistance, legal assistance (underway); |
|
6. |
Case 6 |
shelter, in-kind aid, medical assistance, counselling, psychological assistance, re-issuance of documents (underway) |
|
7. |
Case 7 |
medical assistance, counseling, psychological support |
|
8. |
Case 8 |
shelter, psychological support, in-kind aid, counselling, medical assistance, legal counseling, re-issuance of documents |
|
9. |
Case 9 |
shelter, psychologist, counseling, in-kind aid, medical assistance, legal assistance, provision of an advocate (public defender) |
|
10. |
Case 10 |
shelter, psychological assistance, counseling, in-kind aid, re-issuance of documents, medical assistance (underway) |
|
11. |
Case 11 |
shelter, psychological support, counseling, in-kind aid, medical assistance, re-issuance of documents (underway), legal assistance (underway) |
|
12. |
Case 12 |
counseling, legal assistance (underway) |
|
13. |
Case 13 |
in-kind aid, counseling, psychological support, guidance for receiving education |
|
14. |
Case 14 |
counseling |
|
15. |
Case 15 |
shelter, in-kind aid, counseling, psychological support, re-issuance of documents (underway) |
|
16. |
Case 16 |
shelter, in-kind aid, counseling |
|
17. |
Case 17 |
counseling, psychological support |
|
18. |
Case 18 |
shelter, in-kind aid, counseling, psycological support, legal assistance, provision of an advocate, medical assistance |
|
19. |
Case 19 |
counseling |
|
20. |
Case 20 |
counseling |
|
21. |
Case 21 |
counseling, re-issuance of documents (underway) |
|
22. |
Case 22 |
providing education (underway), re-issuance of documents (underway) |
|
23. |
Case 23 |
counseling, translation services |
Of 25 persons, 3 minors received assistance at the children's care centre under the subordination of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. The decision on transferring children to care centres was rendered in the best interests of the child.
Persons subjected to trafficking and exploitation, sexual violence are provided with lump-sum assistance in the amount of AMD 250 000 under the Action "Providing lump-sum monetary compensation to victims of trafficking in and/or exploitation of human beings" to partially compensate the damages incurred as a result of being subjected to trafficking in and exploitation of a human being. The right to monetary compensation applies to the persons that have been recognised as victims or special category victims. In 2023, for the purpose of providing lump-sum monetary assistance the State Budget of the Republic of Armenia allocated AMD 1 750 000 to provide assistance to 7 persons subjected to trafficking and exploitation, which was fully spent.
All victims of trafficking in and exploitation of persons benefit from the types of assistance provided under the Programme for providing social-psychological rehabilitation services to persons subjected to trafficking and exploitation, sexual violence, without exception.
ANNEX 4
Information presented by the Statistical Committee of the
Republic of Armenia
5. SOCIAL-DEMOGRAPHIC SECTION
5.3. Offenses
5.3.1. Crimes[5]
The amount of registeredcrimes by crime types
<<SOCIAL-ECONOMIC SITUATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA in 2023 JANUARY-DECEMBER>>
unit
|
|
||||
|
Total number of registered crimes |
37 612 |
40 666 |
|||
|
including |
Not very grave |
20 457 |
18 905 |
||
|
Medium gravity |
11 183 |
13 913 |
|||
|
Grave |
5 092 |
6 196 |
|||
|
Particularly grave |
880 |
1 679 |
|||
|
Out of the total number of crimes committed with the use of firearms and ammunition |
67 |
94 |
|||
|
Crimes against a person (human) |
6 565 |
7 138 |
|||
|
including |
murder |
542 |
1187 |
||
|
of which without sudden deaths |
58 |
55 |
|||
|
Attempted murder |
46 |
65 |
|||
|
Human Trafficking or Exploitation |
8 |
19 |
|||
|
Intentional harm to health |
933 |
1062 |
|||
|
Out of which are grave |
265 |
240 |
|||
|
Crimes against sexual integrity and sexual freedom |
109 |
176 |
|||
|
Out of which sexual nature violent acts |
71 |
98 |
|||
|
Violating copyright and related ( patent ) rights |
6 |
1 |
|||
|
Other crimes against a person |
4921 |
4628 |
|||
|
Crimes against public safety , public order and population health |
11861 |
15847 |
|||
|
including |
Firearms, ammunitions manufacturing and dispensing |
887 |
1179 |
||
|
Violation of traffic and vehicle operation rules |
1983 |
2185 |
|||
|
Out of which lead to death |
193 |
204 |
|||
|
Hooliganism |
453 |
600 |
|||
|
Out of which was done by weapon usage |
97 |
110 |
|||
|
Drug-related crimes |
2268 |
5070 |
|||
|
Out of which is illegal drug trafficking |
2103 |
4774 |
|||
|
From that with the purpose of keeping |
1031 |
2802 |
|||
|
Crimes against public safety, public order, health of the population |
6270 |
6813 |
|||
|
Crimes against property |
13902 |
11420 |
|||
|
including |
Capturing of property |
12453 |
9974 |
||
|
From which is banditry |
52 |
76 |
|||
|
Robbery |
151 |
148 |
|||
|
Theft |
9854 |
6868 |
|||
|
From that of the dwelling |
1151 |
889 |
|||
|
Swindling |
1979 |
2472 |
|||
|
Squandering or embezzlement |
417 |
410 |
|||
|
Illegal use of one’s property |
38 |
9 |
|||
|
Other crimes against property |
1411 |
1437 |
|||
|
Crimes against implementation of economic activity |
1388 |
1013 |
|||
|
including |
Manufacture, sale or keeping of counterfeited money or securities |
297 |
347 |
||
|
Legalization of a criminally obtained property ( money laundering ) |
29:00 |
60 |
|||
|
Other crimes against implementation of economic activity |
1062 |
606 |
|||
|
Crimes against state power, service and procedure of governance |
3357 |
4704 |
|||
|
including |
Abuse and exceeding official authority |
465 |
556 |
||
|
Taking, giving bribes and bribery mediation |
222 |
540 |
|||
|
Violence against a representative of authorities |
96 |
141 |
|||
|
Other crimes against state power, service and procedure of governance |
2574 |
3467 |
|||
|
Other crimes |
539 |
544 |
|||
|
Corruption crimes registered during the reporting period |
898 |
1404 |
|||
ANNEX 5
Information presented by the Statistical Committee of the
Republic of Armenia
5. SOCIAL-DEMOGRAPHIC SECTION
5.3.3. The number human exploitation (trafficking) and special category victims by RA regions and city Yerevan in 2023[6]
<<SOCIAL-ECONOMIC SITUATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA in 2023 JANUARY-DECEMBER>>
man
|
Total |
Among them girls/women |
Under 12 |
12-17 |
18-24 |
25-34 |
||||||
|
total |
among them girls |
only |
among them girls |
total |
|||||||
|
Yerevan |
6 |
3 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
|
|
Aragatsotn |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
|
Ararat |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
|
Armavir |
2 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
- |
|
|
Gegharkunik |
5 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
|
Lori |
2 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
|
Kotayk |
6 |
5 |
1 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
2 |
2 |
|
|
Shirak |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
|
Syunik |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
|
Vayots Dzor |
4 |
2 |
- |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
1 |
|
|
Tavush |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|||
|
Total in RA |
25 |
13 |
4 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
6 |
4 |
|
continuation
|
35-44 |
45-54 |
55-64 |
65 and over |
|||||
|
total |
among them women |
total |
among them women |
total |
among them women |
total |
among them women |
|
|
Yerevan |
2 |
- |
1 |
1 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Aragatsotn |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
|
Ararat |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Armavir |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Gegharkunik |
- |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Lori |
- |
- |
2 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Kotayk |
1 |
1 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
2 |
2 |
|
Shirak |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
|
Syunik |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Vayots Dzor |
- |
- |
- |
- |
2 |
1 |
- |
- |
|
Tavush |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
|
Total in RA |
3 |
1 |
5 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
The number of persons subjected to exploitation (trafficking) who received (did not receive) assistance by the regions of Armenia and city Yerevan in 2023
person
|
Total |
Among them women |
Support has been allocated |
No support allocated |
|||
|
total |
among them women |
only |
among them women |
|||
|
Yerevan |
6 |
3 |
5 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
Aragatsotn |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Ararat |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Armavir |
2 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Gegharkunik |
5 |
3 |
- |
- |
5 |
3 |
|
Lori |
2 |
- |
- |
- |
2 |
- |
|
Kotayk |
6 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
|
Shirak |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Syunik |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Vayots Dzor |
4 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
- |
|
Tavush |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Total in Armenia |
25 |
13 |
14 |
8 |
11 |
5 |
Human exploitation types by regions ofArmenia and city Yerevan in 2023
person
|
Total |
Among them women |
Working |
Sexual |
|||
|
total |
among them women |
total |
among them women |
|||
|
Yerevan |
6 |
3 |
3 |
- |
3 |
3 |
|
Aragatsotn |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Ararat |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Armavir |
2 |
- |
2 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Gegharkunik |
5 |
3 |
1 |
- |
4 |
3 |
|
Lori |
2 |
- |
2 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Kotayk |
6 |
5 |
6 |
5 |
- |
- |
|
Shirak |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Syunik |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Vayots Dzor |
4 |
2 |
4 |
2 |
- |
- |
|
Tavush |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Total in Armenia |
25 |
13 |
18 |
7 |
7 |
6 |
ANNEX 6
Information presented by the Statistical Committee of the
Republic of Armenia
Offenses
Crimes 1 2022 according to separate crime groups, data on registered crimes
are presented in the tables below
Number of registered crimes by types of crimes
Unit
|
2021 |
2022 |
||
|
Total number of registered crimes |
30 245 |
37 612 |
|
|
including |
Not very grave |
16 520 |
20 457 |
|
Medium gravity |
8 912 |
11 183 |
|
|
Grave |
4 463 |
5 092 |
|
|
Particularly grave |
350 |
880 |
|
|
Out of the total number of crimes committed with the use of firearms and ammunition |
57 |
67 |
|
|
Crimes against a person (human) |
4 375 |
6 565 |
|
|
including |
Attempted murder |
60 |
542 |
|
Human Trafficking or Exploitation |
47 |
46 |
|
|
Intentional harm to health |
10 |
8 |
|
|
Out of which are grave |
976 |
933 |
|
|
Crimes against sexual integrity and sexual freedom |
218 |
265 |
|
|
Attempted murder |
93 |
109 |
|
|
Out of which rape and attempted rape |
14 |
54 |
|
|
Other crimes against a person |
3 189 |
4 927 |
|
|
Crimes against public safety, public order and population health |
6 356 |
11 861 |
|
|
including |
Firearms, ammunitions manufacturing and dispensing |
714 |
887 |
|
Violation of traffic and vehicle operation rules |
1 548 |
1 983 |
|
|
Out of which lead to death |
239 |
193 |
|
|
Hooliganism |
322 |
453 |
|
|
Out of which was done by weapon usage |
95 |
97 |
|
|
Drug-related crimes |
1 544 |
2 268 |
|
|
Out of which is illegal drug trafficking |
1 394 |
2 103 |
|
|
From that with the purpose of keeping |
529 |
1 031 |
|
|
Other orimes against public safety , public order, health of the population |
2 228 |
6 270 |
|
|
Crimes against property |
15 149 |
13 902 |
|
|
including |
Capturing of state or public property |
418 |
447 |
|
Out of which banditry |
- |
- |
|
|
robbery |
- |
3 |
|
|
theft |
177 |
232 |
|
|
swindling |
37 |
2800 |
|
|
squandering or embezzlement |
204 |
184 |
|
|
Capturing of personal property |
13 303 |
12 006 |
|
|
Out of which banditry |
41 |
52 |
|
|
robbery |
146 |
148 |
|
|
theft |
11 041 |
9 622 |
|
 |
1 According to the information summed up by the Police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs
2 The increase in the number of murders is due to the initiation of murder charges for any death under the new Criminal Code regulations. The actual number of murders is 58.
|
2021 |
2022 |
||
|
from it - residential |
1195 |
1151 |
|
|
fraud |
1806 |
1951 |
|
|
fraud or waste |
269 |
233 |
|
|
hijacking vehicles |
54 |
32 |
|
|
other property crimes |
1374 |
1417 |
|
|
Crimes against economic activity |
1034 |
1388 |
|
|
Inclu- ding |
making, possessing or selling counterfeit money or securities |
451 |
297 |
|
legalizing property obtained through criminal means (money laundering) |
18 |
29 |
|
|
other crimes against economic activity |
565 |
1062 |
|
|
Crimes against state, services and management |
2794 |
3357 |
|
|
Inclu- ding ding |
murder of a state, political or public figure |
1 |
- |
|
abusing and passing official authority |
346 |
412 |
|
|
Bribe receiving/giving, solicitation of bribes |
237 |
222 |
|
|
using violence against a representative of the government |
52 |
96 |
|
|
other crimes against state, services, rule of law |
2158 |
2627 |
|
|
Other crimes |
537 |
539 |
|
|
Corrupt nature crimes of the total number of crimes |
950 |
898 |
|
The amount of registeredcrimes by crime types by the regions ofArmenia and city Yerevan, 2022
Unit
|
Total RA |
Yerevan |
Aragatsotn |
Ararat |
Armavir |
Gegharkunik |
||
|
Crimes against a person (human) |
6 565 |
2 833 |
292 |
560 |
478 |
324 |
|
|
including |
Murder |
542 |
307 |
46 |
16 |
16 |
26 |
|
Attempted murder |
46 |
22 |
1 |
7 |
8 |
- |
|
|
Human Trafficking or Exploitation |
8 |
6 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
|
Intentional harm to health |
933 |
342 |
49 |
98 |
74 |
45 |
|
|
Out of which are grave |
265 |
91 |
18 |
36 |
21 |
17 |
|
|
Crimes against sexual integrity and sexual freedom |
109 |
44 |
5 |
10 |
14 |
6 |
|
|
Out of which are rape and attempted rape |
54 |
22 |
1 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
|
|
Other crimes against a person |
4 927 |
2 112 |
191 |
429 |
366 |
247 |
|
|
Crimes against public safety , public order and population health |
11 861 |
7 311 |
394 |
484 |
676 |
388 |
|
|
including |
Firearms, ammunitions manufacturing and dispensing |
887 |
204 |
92 |
35 |
91 |
136 |
|
Violation of traffic and vehicle operation rules |
1 983 |
990 |
103 |
143 |
150 |
92 |
|
|
Out of which lead to death |
193 |
42 |
24 |
21 |
22 |
23 |
|
|
Hooliganism |
453 |
301 |
9 |
27 |
13 |
13 |
|
|
Out of which was done by weapon usage |
97 |
55 |
5 |
10 |
4 |
7 |
|
|
Drug-related crimes |
2 268 |
1 307 |
78 |
138 |
234 |
49 |
|
|
Out of which is illegal drug trafficking |
2 103 |
1 276 |
69 |
84 |
208 |
44 |
|
|
From that with the purpose of keeping |
1 031 |
708 |
20 |
28 |
90 |
17 |
|
|
Other crimes against public safety , public order and population health |
6 270 |
4 509 |
112 |
141 |
188 |
98 |
|
|
Crimes against property |
13 902 |
8 913 |
289 |
808 |
702 |
324 |
|
|
including |
Capturing of state or public property |
447 |
153 |
21 |
41 |
31 |
21 |
|
Out of which robbery |
3 |
2 |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
|
|
theft |
232 |
93 |
9 |
21 |
13 |
7 |
|
|
swindling |
28 |
11 |
- |
1 |
3 |
- |
|
|
squandering or embezzlement |
184 |
47 |
12 |
19 |
15 |
13 |
|
|
Capturing of personal property |
12 006 |
7 905 |
237 |
697 |
570 |
268 |
|
|
Out of which banditry |
52 |
30 |
- |
3 |
1 |
3 |
|
|
robbery |
148 |
108 |
1 |
5 |
7 |
2 |
|
|
theft |
9 622 |
6 268 |
196 |
533 |
481 |
217 |
|
|
From that of the dwelling |
1 151 |
517 |
36 |
76 |
71 |
67 |
|
|
swindling |
1 951 |
1 358 |
28 |
151 |
75 |
40 |
|
|
squandering or embezzlement |
233 |
141 |
12 |
5 |
6 |
6 |
|
|
Gaining illegal control of means of transportation |
32 |
8 |
2 |
4 |
6 |
- |
|
|
Other crimes against property |
1 417 |
847 |
29 |
66 |
95 |
35 |
|
|
Total RA |
Yerevan |
Aragatsotn |
Ararat |
Armavir |
Gegharkunik |
||
|
Crimes against implementation of economic activity |
1 388 |
920 |
28 |
75 |
49 |
49 |
|
|
including |
Manufacture, sale or keeping of counterfeited money or securities |
297 |
216 |
13 |
14 |
5 |
5 |
|
Legalization of a criminally obtained property ( money laundering ) |
29 |
22 |
- |
3 |
2 |
- |
|
|
Other crimes against implementation of economic activity |
1 062 |
682 |
15 |
58 |
42 |
44 |
|
|
Crimes against state power, service and procedure of governance |
3 357 |
1 586 |
146 |
233 |
247 |
162 |
|
|
including |
Abuse and exceeding official authority |
412 |
195 |
18 |
30 |
22 |
14 |
|
Taking, giving bribes and bribery mediation |
222 |
101 |
11 |
12 |
12 |
9 |
|
|
Violence against a representative of authorities |
96 |
53 |
1 |
4 |
3 |
1 |
|
|
Other crimes against state power, service and procedure of governance |
2 627 |
1 237 |
116 |
187 |
210 |
138 |
|
|
Other crimes |
539 |
41 |
12 |
7 |
9 |
92 |
|
|
Corruption crimes registered during the reporting period |
898 |
370 |
40 |
66 |
50 |
53 |
|
continuation
|
Lori |
Kotayk |
Shirak |
Syunik |
Vayots Dzor |
Tavush |
||
|
Crimes against a person (human) |
630 |
553 |
439 |
191 |
94 |
171 |
|
|
including |
Murder |
30 |
19 |
23 |
22 |
29 |
8 |
|
Attempted murder |
5 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
- |
- |
|
|
Human Trafficking or Exploitation |
- |
- |
1 |
- |
1 |
- |
|
|
Intentional harm to health |
109 |
88 |
61 |
28 |
9 |
30 |
|
|
Out of which are grave |
21 |
23 |
16 |
8 |
3 |
11 |
|
|
Crimes against sexual integrity and sexual freedom |
10 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
2 |
4 |
|
|
Out of which are rape and attempted rape |
6 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
- |
3 |
|
|
Other crimes against a person |
476 |
440 |
349 |
135 |
53 |
129 |
|
|
Crimes against public safety , public order and population health |
701 |
597 |
658 |
286 |
125 |
241 |
|
|
including |
Firearms, ammunitions manufacturing and dispensing |
73 |
60 |
79 |
36 |
25 |
56 |
|
Violation of traffic and vehicle operation rules |
95 |
156 |
87 |
56 |
55 |
56 |
|
|
Out of which lead to death |
12 |
19 |
7 |
9 |
6 |
8 |
|
|
Hooliganism |
37 |
12 |
28 |
5 |
1 |
7 |
|
|
Out of which was done by weapon usage |
3 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
|
|
Drug-related crimes |
98 |
70 |
133 |
121 |
16 |
24 |
|
|
Out of which is illegal drug trafficking |
87 |
61 |
124 |
115 |
14 |
21 |
|
|
From that with the purpose of keeping |
41 |
31 |
75 |
10 |
4 |
7 |
|
|
Other crimes against public safety , public order and population health |
398 |
299 |
331 |
68 |
28 |
98 |
|
|
Crimes against property |
756 |
1040 |
379 |
323 |
137 |
231 |
|
|
including |
state or public property robberies |
64 |
43 |
20 |
26 |
7 |
20 |
|
of which - robbery |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
|
theft |
45 |
14 |
7 |
12 |
2 |
9 |
|
|
fraud |
6 |
2 |
- |
2 |
1 |
2 |
|
|
waste |
13 |
27 |
13 |
12 |
4 |
9 |
|
|
theft of personal property |
600 |
901 |
293 |
234 |
114 |
187 |
|
|
of which - banditry |
2 |
6 |
5 |
2 |
- |
- |
|
|
robbery |
4 |
6 |
11 |
1 |
- |
3 |
|
|
theft |
508 |
758 |
211 |
197 |
93 |
160 |
|
|
from that residential |
117 |
128 |
57 |
42 |
15 |
25 |
|
|
fraud |
74 |
112 |
53 |
25 |
21 |
16 |
|
|
waste |
12 |
19 |
13 |
11 |
- |
8 |
|
|
hijacking vehicles |
3 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
4 |
- |
|
|
Other crimes against property |
89 |
95 |
65 |
60 |
12 |
24 |
|
|
Crimes against economic activity |
52 |
92 |
60 |
34 |
7 |
22 |
|
|
including |
counterfeit money or securities making, holding or realizing |
7 |
8 |
24 |
3 |
2 |
- |
|
property obtained by crime money laundering |
1 |
- |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
|
|
other crimes against ecnomic activity |
44 |
84 |
36 |
30 |
5 |
22 |
|
|
Crimes against state, services and the order of government |
305 |
219 |
210 |
112 |
47 |
90 |
|
|
including |
official powers abusing and passing |
34 |
17 |
23 |
17 |
28 |
14 |
|
receiving a bribe, giving a bribe the mediation |
37 |
9 |
21 |
2 |
5 |
3 |
|
|
committing violence against representative of the government |
18 |
1 |
11 |
3 |
- |
1 |
|
|
crimes against state, services and other management order |
216 |
192 |
155 |
90 |
14 |
72 |
|
|
Other crimes |
169 |
18 |
6 |
31 |
12 |
142 |
|
|
Other crimes during the period |
92 |
60 |
66 |
36 |
40 |
25 |
|
[1] Paolo Campana, Online and Technology-Facilitated Trafficking in Human Beings, Council of Europe, April 2022.
[2] ICAT Issue Brief No. 12 on Addressing vulnerability to trafficking in persons - Search (bing.com)
[3]https://www.avoiceforcentraloregon.com/uploads/1/3/9/9/139904528/socio_ecological_model_and_trafficking.pdf
[4] Their involvement provides the basis for a caring and sensitive approach to each case, creating a safe space for open dialogue and informed decision-making.
[5] According to the summary information of the Police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs
[6] According to the information summed up by the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia