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

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OSCE Anti-TIP Legislative Strengthening Program
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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.

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IOM Anti-TIP Consular Capacity Building Program
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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.

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IOM NGO Capacity and Victim Assistance Program
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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