[ Human Trafficking, Country-by-Country ]

ARMENIA (Tier 2) – Extracted in part from the U.S. State Dept 2023 TIP Report - Armenia

The Government of Armenia does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so. The government demonstrated overall increasing efforts compared with the previous reporting period, considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, if any, on its anti-trafficking capacity; therefore Armenia remained on Tier 2. These efforts included developing screening indicators, in cooperation with an NGO, to help identify victims in migration flows and establishing standardized indicators for the Victim Identification Commission (VIC) to officially assess and identify victims. The government added a definition of forced labor in the Labor Code, amended procedures to allow all governmental organizations and NGOs to refer victims to the VIC, and issued a decree that provided minimum standards for victim assistance. Anti-trafficking coordinating bodies met consistently and drafted and adopted the 2023-2025 NAP. However, the government did not meet the minimum standards in several key areas. The government investigated and prosecuted fewer suspects and identified fewer victims. Judges issued probation for convicted traffickers, which did not serve to deter the crime or adequately reflect the nature of the offense, and first responders did not consistently screen vulnerable populations for trafficking indicators. Experts reported new changes in the criminal procedural code reduced the ability of police to conduct proactive investigations, and victims continued to face little access to justice, including an absence of victim-centered procedures and formal victim-witness assistance measures. While the government standardized many victim protection efforts, it did not consult the VIC, resulting in indicators and minimum standards that were not always applicable to trafficking victims.

Prioritized Recommendations

Vigorously investigate, prosecute, and convict traffickers under Articles 188 and 189.

Seek adequate penalties for convicted traffickers, which should involve significant prison terms.

Increase proactive identification efforts, including implementing SOPs for screening trafficking victims and training officials on screening for trafficking among individuals in commercial sex, migrants, refugees, and other at-risk populations.

Seek and implement recommendations from civil society, NGOs, and members of the VIC on decrees standardizing victim protection.

Provide advanced training to investigators and prosecutors on trafficking investigations and prosecutions, including evidence collection and victim-centered interview techniques.

Increase access to justice during court proceedings, such as establishing victim-centered policies to reduce re-traumatization, strengthen confidentiality, and provide victim-witness assistance.

Increase resources for reintegration services for victims.

Implement legal authorities for labor inspectors to conduct regular inspections, including non-legal employers, and identify victims through unannounced visits.

License, regulate, and educate local employment agencies and agents so they can help prevent the labor trafficking of Armenians abroad.

Establish and implement preventative measures for labor violations and potential forced labor in the military and child labor and potential child trafficking in state childcare institutions.

Train prosecutors and judges on restitution in criminal cases, establish procedures to seize assets from traffickers, and create effective methods to allocate restitution in a timely manner.

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