US embassy cable - 05YEREVAN111

UNCLAS YEREVAN 000111 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR G/TIP, DRL AND EUR/CACEN 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PHUM, KWMN, SMIG, KCRM, AM, KTIP 
SUBJECT:  NEW REGIONAL ANTI-TIP NGO NETWORK 
 
 
1.  The United Nations Development Program (UNDP), 
which implements a project on combating Trafficking in 
Persons (TIP) in partnership with the GOAM, has 
launched a local and regional (Caucasus) NGO network on 
fighting organized crime, particularly TIP and illegal 
migration.  Members of the network have signed a 
Memorandum of Understanding and have devised an action 
plan for 2005.  Members of the network will share 
information and experience, cooperate and assist their 
governments in the spheres of legislation and policy 
development, provide assistance to TIP victims, and 
carry out preventive measures.  One of the specific 
actions discussed at the establishment of the network 
in Yerevan on January 21, 2005, was the creation of an 
international transit shelter in Batumi, Georgia, where 
both Georgian and Armenian TIP victims are deported 
from Turkey. 
 
2.  Armenian NGOs who deal with human rights, women's 
issues and trafficking make up the local Armenian 
network.  Thus far the regional network consists of 
these Armenian NGOs as well as Georgian organizations. 
The managers of the UNDP Anti-TIP project, who will 
also coordinate the network, expect that other 
countries will also join the network.  The membership 
of the network is open and offers full and associate 
membership, as well as observer status for interested 
international organizations. 
EVANS