US embassy cable - 04YEREVAN813

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 YEREVAN 000813 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR J. CAMPBELL, INL/AAE, R. LERNER, G/TIP 
EUR/ACE, EUR/CACEN 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SNAR, KSEP, KCRM, PHUM, AM 
SUBJECT: INL PROGRAM SUCCESSES 
 
1.  Several recently implemented INL-funded programs 
are already reaping benefits.  This cable details 
highlights of program progress. 
 
ANTI-TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS PROGRAMS 
 
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++ 
OSCE Anti-TIP Legislative Strengthening Program 
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++ 
 
2.  INL provided a Letter of Contribution for USD 
45,906 to OSCE for a program entitled "Assistance to 
Anti-trafficking Legislative Review." The program will 
conduct a legislative gaps analysis, draft legislative 
amendments, assist in the development of an interagency 
task force, support the establishment of national 
referral mechanisms for identification, assistance and 
protection of victims, develop a task force training 
module and create a "best practice" manual for law 
enforcement to investigate and prosecute human 
trafficking.  Thus far, the program has accomplished 
the following: 
 
--An international expert has been identified and is 
working with a team of three national experts on the 
legislative gaps analysis.  The first draft version of 
the analysis will be ready during the second week of 
April. 
 
--OSCE is working closely with the Armenian 
Government's Working Group on the Criminal Procedure 
Code (Ministry of Justice, Procurator General's Office 
and the National Police), which is currently drafting 
amendments to the Code.  (NOTE: The Procurator 
General's Office (OPG) and the Ministry of Justice are 
the most important players--OPG is developing 
provisions on witness protection, and the Ministry of 
Justice will most likely be submitting the package of 
amendments to the National Assembly.  END NOTE.)  The 
first draft package of amendments to the Criminal 
Procedure Code will be finalized and submitted to the 
OSCE Office in Yerevan by April 6, 2004. 
Simultaneously, the package will be sent to relevant 
agencies for comment.  Upon their receipt by OSCE, the 
draft provisions will be translated (approximately 
within 10 days) and submitted to the Anti-TIP 
Legislative Strengthening Program's international 
expert for review.  The expert opinion is expected to 
be available after mid-May and will be submitted to the 
Government's Working Group on the Criminal Procedure 
Code. 
 
--OSCE is currently developing an expert-level meeting 
that will be convened in Yerevan in July 2004.  The 
meeting will provide a forum for the relevant state 
authorities, NGOs and bar associations to discuss the 
proposed Criminal Procedure Code amendments with the 
international expert. 
 
--In July 2004, Phase One of the project (which focuses 
on procedural safeguards of victim/witness protection) 
will be essentially completed (although follow-up with 
the National Assembly will continue beyond July 2004 
into fall 2004).  At the same time, Phase Two will 
commence with a focus on non-procedural 
safeguards/assessment of prerequisites for creation of 
a witness protection program - including 
recommendations for a separate Law on Witness 
Protection. 
 
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++ 
IOM Anti-TIP Consular Capacity Building Program 
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++ 
 
3.  INL provided a Letter of Contribution to IOM for 
USD 78,626 for a program entitled "Capacity Building 
for Consular Personnel in Trafficking: Armenia." The 
program aims to ensure that the Armenian Ministry of 
Foreign Affairs Consular Department personnel obtain 
training necessary to effectively assist potential and 
actual trafficking victims in Armenia, as well as in 
respective destination countries where Armenian 
Diplomatic Missions are represented.  To date, this 
program has done the following: 
 
--Created a detailed action plan on the implementation 
of the Project developed in coordination with the MFA. 
 
--Two computers and one printer were provided on 1 
April 2004 to the MFA Consular Department; one computer 
went to the MFA's International Department; and one 
computer was placed in the Department for Migration and 
Refugees Counter-trafficking Focal Point, to be used 
exclusively for the implementation of counter- 
trafficking programs. 
 
--In anticipation of IT training, a tender was 
announced for the provision of IT training to select 
MFA personnel. 
 
--A questionnaire for baseline assessment of the 
current level of knowledge of counter-trafficking 
issues was developed for staff of Armenian Embassies 
and Consulates in key destination countries. 
 
--IOM has begun preparation of a two-day workshop for a 
selected MFA personnel and the DMR focal point on 
sensitization to trafficking-related issues; the 
distinction between trafficked migrants and migrants in 
an irregular situation; counter-trafficking database 
development and information exchange; and protection 
and assistance to victims. 
 
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + 
IOM NGO Capacity and Victim Assistance Program 
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + 
 
4.  IOM was provided a Letter of Contribution in the 
amount of $76,143 for a program entitled "Capacity 
Building of a National NGO Providing Support and 
Counseling in Favor of Victims of Trafficking: 
Armenia." Just over USD 60,000 of this funding will be 
granted by IOM to the national NGO "Hope and Help" to 
fully fund their trafficking victim assistance project. 
The remainder of funds will be used by IOM to provide 
training and ongoing guidance to the NGO project staff. 
Victim assistance includes legal, psychological, 
medical and reintegration assistance as well as safe 
haven for victims.  To date: 
 
--An interactive training was conducted for all NGO 
staff to enhance their ability to properly assist 
trafficking victims. 
 
--2000 anti-trafficking information leaflets were 
distributed to Border Guard officials and targeted 
Armenian travelers. 
 
--A toll free hotline was set up and continues 
operation.  A countrywide advertising campaign for the 
hotline is underway.  To date approximately 35 callers 
have received legal consultation on the hotline. 
 
--A safe haven was established.  To date 8 victims of 
trafficking in persons (from Uzbekistan) in Armenia 
have received safe haven, medical, legal and 
psychological assistance.  Six of the eight received 
voluntary return assistance (with separate IOM Global 
Funds) to Uzbekistan. 
 
--Two Armenian returnee victims of trafficking have 
been provided with legal and medical assistance.  One 
of the two is receiving vocational training as part of 
the reintegration portion of the program. 
 
--"Hope and Help" is currently developing training for 
Border Guard personnel on victim identification. 
 
COMPUTER CLASSROOM PROJECT 
 
5. In accordance with Amendment No. One to the Letter 
of Agreement on Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement 
Assistance (LOA), INL/RM procured equipment to 
establish computer classrooms in three training 
facilities for law enforcement in Armenia.  Most of the 
equipment has been received (although several 
backordered items have not yet arrived), and 
installation by a local contractor is underway.  Twenty- 
five computers and two servers have already been 
installed in the National Police Academy.  Ten 
computers and two servers are currently being installed 
in the Prosecutorial Training Center.  Within the week, 
installation of fifteen computers and two servers 
should be completed at the Police NCO Training Facility 
in Kanaker.  The Embassy is planning opening ceremonies 
at the Police Academy within the next two weeks.  This 
program will contribute greatly to modernization of 
training methodologies and curricula development. It 
will also be a vital element in preparing law 
enforcement officers who are largely unfamiliar with 
computers for the upcoming INL-funded Regional Police 
Computer Network Project, as detailed in the proposed 
Amendment No. Two to the LOA. 
 
6.  In short, post's INL funded programs are well on 
their way to fruition. 
 
ORDWAY