OSCE Office organizes workshop on combating trafficking in Armenia

YEREVAN, 20 October 2006 - Developing and implementing a national strategy and action plan to combat trafficking in human beings and best practices in the field were discussed at a workshop that ended in Yerevan today.

The two-day event, organized by the OSCE Office in Yerevan, brought together Government officials and representatives of international and non-governmental organizations.

The event followed a trafficking responses assessment initiated by the OSCE Office between 9 and 20 October. Experts Hana Snajdrova from the Czech Interior Ministry and Barbara Sidoti, formerly with the International Centre for Migration Policy Development, were invited to assess the Armenian trafficking responses and conduct the workshop.

"A national strategy is an important tool which can help strengthen the capacity of the State and society to combat human trafficking," said Barbara Sidoti.

"In order to be effective, the strategy has to involve both State institutions and civil society. Serious efforts are required from the side of the Government to co-ordinate the process and support it by allocating the necessary resources."

Participants discussed how a national strategy can lead to an effective plan of action and highlighted the importance of progress indicators and monitoring and evaluation mechanisms for periodical revisions of the strategy and the action plan.

The Armenian national strategy to combat trafficking in human beings expires in December, and authorities are working on the next plan for 2007-2009.