ARMENIA RELEASES ANTI-TIP MANUALS FOR ITS OVERSEAS

UNCLAS YEREVAN 000895 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/CARC, G/TIP E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV KTIP KWMN KCRM PHUM PREL SMIG AM SUBJECT: ARMENIA RELEASES ANTI-TIP MANUALS FOR ITS OVERSEAS POSTS REF: A) YEREVAN 836 Summary -------------- ¶1. At the release of a USG-funded anti-trafficking in persons manual for Armenian consular officials overseas, GOAM officials pledged to improve their track record in identifying and protecting trafficking victims and to strengthen Armenia's interagency Anti-TiP Commission. End Summary. ¶2. On June 30, the Yerevan IOM office launched a new manual for Armenia's Consular Corps titled, "Modern Trafficking Issues: Manual for Consuls." IOM produced the manual with USG funding provided via INL. The document, released only in the Armenian language, suggests that consular personnel study relevant host-country legislation, establish good working contacts with host-government law enforcement and relevant NGOs, and cooperate with other consulates. It contains guidelines for interviewing and repatriating TIP victims. There is also a section on the USG's annual TIP report. ¶3. GOAM officials who spoke at the release of the manual -- which was well-covered by the press -- stressed the need for greater protection of trafficking victims. Valery Mkrtumyan, head of the GOAM's interagency Anti-TIP Commission, also addressed the government's intention to strengthen the commission (reftel). He thanked the USG for providing funding for the manual. ¶4. DCM also spoke at the event, taking the opportunity to drive home our points about how Armenia can get off the Tier 2 Watch List. The event and his remarks were covered by the government-run daily Hayastani Hanrapetutiun (Armenian Republic) and were also picked up by state-run television. EVANS