The Police of the Republic of Armenia (RA) with support from IOM, is convening a two-day meeting in Yerevan this week for 15 representatives from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) States of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, the Russian Federation, and Tajikistan, to address human trafficking issues and responses in the region.

The event, which ends today, is the first such "operation-oriented" meeting among the heads of the respective counter-trafficking divisions, to share good practices in investigation and search operations to combat human trafficking in CSTO countries. Participants will also discuss possibilities for enhanced cooperation between law enforcement, and other state bodies, international, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations.

Representatives from the State bodies involved in the national referral mechanism for victims of trafficking (VoTs) are participating in the meeting as well, highlighting the importance of direct assistance provided to VoTs, including rehabilitation and reintegration. The meeting also includes presentation of counter-trafficking educational materials developed by IOM for use in Armenian secondary schools, and a visit to the Armenian Police Academy, which has a computer-based module on counter-trafficking, for police officer training.

"The working meeting is a timely and consolidated response to criminal networks posing transnational threats, which can more effectively be countered through coordinated interaction among the CSTO counter-trafficking divisions" the Head of the Division to Combat Human Trafficking of the RA Police noted in opening remarks.

"IOM strongly supports this initiative to further cooperation between all those involved in fighting human trafficking in the CSTO States" says IOM Head of Office for Armenia, Ilona Ter-Minasyan.

IOM counter-trafficking projects in Armenia range from implementation of research and capacity building activities to direct provision of medical, psychological, legal support and shelter assistance to more than 127 victims of trafficking.

For further information: International Organization for Migration