July 17, 2009
U.S. Embassy Yerevan
Evelina Arabyan Press Assistant
1 American Avenue
Yerevan, Armenia 375082
Phone: (374 10) 494 200 ext.4591
Fax: (374 10) 464 735
E-mail: [email protected]
U.S. EMBASSY DONATES COMPUTER EQUIPMENT, RADIOS AND A VEHICLE TO ASSIST
THE RA POLICE TO COMBAT TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS
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.