GREATEST OCCURRENCE OF TRAFFICKING VICTIMS FROM ARMENIA FOUND IN TURKEY, UAE, RUSSIA – OSCE SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE
ARKA
May 8, 2009
YEREVAN, May 8. /ARKA/. The greatest occurrence of trafficking victims
from Armenia are found in Turkey, United Arabic Emirates and Russia,
said OSCE Special Representative, Coordinator for Combating Human
Trafficking Eva Biaudet.
Several cases indicate that Armenia is a destination for trafficking
as well, she said at International Press-Center "Novosti" on Friday.
According to her the information on identified victims of trafficking
is based on the information of the individuals convicted for the
crime in international reports.
Biaudet said seven convicts were recorded in Armenia in 2007 for
trafficking affairs, and only four last year. There were more cases of
criminal prosecutions and investigations. She added the real figures,
apparently, exceed the official data, but exact information does
not exist.
The more effective assistance is provided to victims of trafficking,
the more ready they will be to tell the details of what happened to
them, stressed Biaudet.
The OSCE Special Rep stated cases of internal trafficking exists in
Armenia as well. She said, the experience shows that cases of internal
trafficking always exist where there is external trafficking.
According to Biaudet, the most cases of trafficking from Armenia to
Turkey and UAE is sexual exploitation.
She noted cases of traffic king are also possible in the countries
with big migration flows. She said sometimes a person joins
migration processes legally, but then finds himself in a vulnerable
situation.