U.S. EMBASSY DONATES COMPUTER EQUIPMENT TO HELP RA POLICE TO COMBAT TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS

AZG Armenian Daily
18/07/2009

On July 17, 2009, the U.S. government donated computer and radio
equipment and a vehicle, worth a total of over $40,000, to the National
Police Unit to Combat Trafficking-in-Persons under the Main Department
Combating Organized Crime. The donation ceremony on behalf of the
U.S. Embassy was attended by Ambassador Marie L. Yovanovitch and, on
behalf of the Government of Armenia- by Chief of Police Major-General
Alik Sargsyan.

Purchased by the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs
Office of the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan, the equipment includes two
servers, several computers and printers, six radios and a vehicle. The
new equipment and the vehicle are donated to assist the Unit to Combat
Trafficking-in-Persons to effectively and speedily implement operations
and searches; compile, process and preserve sensitive information
and databases on the trafficking cases and traffickers; as well as
protect victims from potential threats during the investigation of
cases. It will also contribute to effective cooperation between
the Police Unit and other stakeholders (state agencies and NGOs)
in implementation of the National Referral Mechanism and National
Action Plans to fight trafficking-in-persons.

In the most recent U.S. Department of State Trafficking-in-Persons
Report, Armenia was ranked in Tier 2, reflecting advances made by the
Armenian Government, NGOs and citizens in combating modern-day slavery.

This project is only part of the U.S. Government’s comprehensive
law enforcement assistance program in the Republic of Armenia. The
U.S. Embassy in Yerevan, through its International Narcotics and Law
Enforcement Section, has funded the renovation of the Police Induction
Center in Kanaker and donated administrative and classroom equipment
to the Police Academy of the RA. In cooperation with the Government
of Armenia the Embassy successfully established a nationwide computer
network for the RA Police.

U.S. Government assistance in the fight against human trafficking
is directed at training law enforcement personnel in investigation,
prosecution and prevention of the crime, victim protection, as well as
legislative instruments and international practice in the field. The
U.S. Government has been funding the operations of the NGO "Hope and
Help," which provides a hotline, shelter, and social, psychological
and legal assistance to the victims of trafficking.