On 17th of December RA legislation on “Identification of and Assistance to the Victims of Human Trafficking and Exploitation” has been adopted with the third reading

On 17th of December RA legislation on “Identification of and Assistance to the Victims of Human Trafficking and Exploitation” has been adopted with the third reading

On 17th of October, 2014, with the third reading the law on “Identification of and Assistance to the victims of Human Trafficking” has been discussed and adopted fully and unconditionally. The legislation regulates the areas of the identification of trafficking and exploitation victims, their guidance, as well as provision of support and assistance (Article 1 of the law). The purpose of the legislation is to properly implement the support and the reintegration processes of the identified victims, through the cooperation and joint efforts of state government and, local government bodies, as well as non-governmental, international and other organizations.
With its concept and actuality, one of the important aspects of the legislation is the Article 7 titled “Limitation of Publications” which prohibits the dissemination of victims’ personal data through mass media or other communication, with exception to cases where the Committee on Identification of Victims of Trafficking and Exploitation decides to deliver information in the interests and for the sake of the victims.
Part 3 of the legislation regulates the process of finding and identification of the victims, while Part 4 provides for the assistance and support process implementation to the victims.
Overall, the legislation’s focus is on the needs of the human trafficking and exploitation victims. It should be noted, that the adoption of the legislation is a far-reaching and a progressive step in the Armenian reality, since, simultaneous to the Armenian adoption of trafficking law, discussions on adoption of the Bill on Trafficking and Exploitation in the UK is in the process. The UK Bill on Human Trafficking and Exploitation includes a similar content with regard the victims’ support and assistance stemming from the necessity to enhance victims’ reintegration back into society.
(http://antitrafficking.am/eng/the-human-trafficking-and-exploitation-bill-in-the-uk-the-developments-in-scotland-and-northern-ireland/; http://www.antislavery.org/includes/documents/cm_docs/2014/a/atmg_modern_slavery_human_trafficking_and_human_exploitation_bill.pdf, see also http://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/Human-Trafficking-and-Exploitation-Bill-published-135c.aspx)
Hereby, as a result of the RA National Assembly extraordinary session from 15th to 17th December of the 5th sitting, the adopted legislation on “Identification of and Assistance to the Victims of Human Trafficking” will be in force after six months since the official publication.

The complete legislation text is accessible through the following link: http://parliament.am/drafts.php?sel=showdraft&DraftID=6984&Reading=1

Anahit Arakelyan -“Development of Anti-trafficking information platform in Armenia” project volunteer