OSCE Office in Yerevan presents results of human trafficking studies

YEREVAN, 8 September 2006 - Results of the two studies on trafficking in human beings in Armenia were presented today by the OSCE Office in Yerevan.

The studies, carried out by two national non-governmental organizations, the Armenian Sociological Association and the Armenian Relief Society, investigated how different social groups in Armenia understand the phenomenon of trafficking and which groups are most often subjected to the crime.

The Armenian National Plan of Action on Combating Trafficking calls for better research and data analysis on trafficking, and the studies help providing that.

"We are glad that we could contribute to closing this gap. There is a need for more research in the future, since we deal with a very complex and sensitive issue," said Blanka Hancilova, Democratization Programme Manager at the OSCE Office in Yerevan, "Despite all the difficulties, including the fact that many aspects of the phenomenon are extremely difficult to survey and measure, we consider these studies successful. We hope that the results of the surveys will serve as a basis for implementation of special, better targeted, prevention projects."

The studies revealed that one of the key problems remained lack of awareness and knowledge about trafficking, as well as ignorance about the procedures and conditions for legal migration.

The surveys were contracted by the Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs of the U.S. State Department. The OSCE Office's support comprised training for interviewers, expert review of survey questionnaires and draft reports, as well as recommendations for improving the overall quality and reliability of research.