HyeSanta

This week ArmeniaNow.am presents a special video gallery that will take you into the lives of families in this season’s HyeSanta campaign.

The stories were reported by ArmeniaNow and documented by Shoghakat Television, directed by Tigran Paskevichyan and Ara Shirinyan and filmed by Arman Shahinyan.

For a look at real life in Armenia around the New Year, visit ArmeniaNow.

Anti-trafficking Efforts in Armenia - 2

www.hetq.am
[December 26, 2005]

A number of NGOs are implementing projects aimed at raising the level of awareness towards human trafficking (See also: Anti-trafficking Efforts in Armenia).

The Yerevan office of the Armenian Caritas charitable NGO began its awareness campaign at the school level. Preventing Illegal Migration and Trafficking, a three-year (2003-2006) program funded by the Italian government, aims at introducing the issue of trafficking and the problems surrounding it to students in the 9th and 10th grades. The program covers 100 schools - 15 each in the provinces of Shirak and Gegharkunik, and 70 in Yerevan. The schools chosen have a large number of students.

"We organize classes twice a year with one teacher from each of these schools. We train the teachers, prepare a program, provide materials, and then pay them to talk to senior students for one academic hour each semester about trafficking. We already have more than 25,000 students who are aware of this problem - the program is also run in provinces where we have offices. We plan to publish a textbook and I think it would be right to make this a mandatory subject in the curriculum; graduating schoolchildren are mature people who should be aware of this issue," said Movses Hakobyan, program director for Preventing Illegal Migration and Trafficking.

Another program aimed at youth awareness of trafficking is Let's Stop it Now 2, implemented biennially by Armenian Women for Health and a Healthy Environment. It is financed by the Foreign Ministry of Greece.

"Our target age group begins at 18 - these are students at any institution after school, be it college, university or in vocational education. We give talks and distribute reading material in the form of booklets and posters. We work in various provinces - Kotayk, Aragatsotn, Ararat, Tavush and Vayots Dzor, but awareness isn't at a high level in the capital either, and we think that there is a need for such a program in Yerevan as well," said program coordinator Emma Anakhasyan.

Created in 2002, the interdepartmental Committee on Illegal Human Transportation, Migration and Trafficking only has a mandate to advise. The committee had to conduct research and present proposals to the government. "The various proposals made by the committee are mainly summarized in the 2004-2006 national action plan against trafficking," said committee president Valery Mkrtumyan. In 2005, the committee's third year in existence, Armenia was classified in the annual Trafficking in Persons Report as a country requiring special supervision. Asked about what steps were taken by the committee in this regard, Mkrtumyan noted, "The issue was brought to the attention of the president, and clear orders were issued to law enforcement agencies to address the shortcomings mentioned in the report, the government presented the national action plan, and so on."

The OSCE Yerevan office provides providing political support to the government in its anti-trafficking efforts. "We implement strategic programs - expert support, training law enforcement officers, legal reform, the criminalization of punishments and protecting victims' rights. We are studying the shortcomings in the field and are trying to support their eradication, we discuss possible solutions and propose them to the government," said Dr. Blanca Hanchilova, director of democratic development programs at the OSCE Yerevan office.

The OSCE Yerevan office representative noted that the creation of special subdivisions within the state police and prosecution dealing with human trafficking could be considered a government reform. In her opinion, this has led to an increase in the number of cases tried under article 132 (human trafficking) of the legal code.

"Such steps are appreciated, but we still feel that not everything is being done to coordinate efforts in this area. I think there should be increased collaboration between different structures dealing with this issue," Hanchilova said.

June 2005 saw the creation of a section dealing with human trafficking and illegal migration within the investigative department of the State Prosecution. This office has thus far leveled charges of human trafficking against 13 individuals.

"The prosecution is always strict when it comes to article 132, and punishment is always through imprisonment. It seems the courts share this attitude - there has only been one case of a lenient sentence, and we have objected; let's see how that turns out," said Armen Boshnaghyan, chief investigator of the section dealing with human trafficking and illegal migration at the investigative department of the State Prosecution.

The prosecution is strict in cases of human trafficking not only regarding the form of punishment meted out, but the duration of imprisonment as well. "Our position is that punishment meted out under article 132 should be considerably more strict. Pimping and human trafficking are separate crimes - trafficking is a denigration of human rights, it is a blatant abuse of free will, whether people are used in the sex business or as laborers. The prosecution has already presented proposed changes in the legal approach to sentencing in cases of trafficking to the Ministry of Justice," Boshnaghyan explained.

"This sphere of criminal activity is developing rapidly. Criminal rings are very flexible, so our legal system should also be able to match them in flexibility. This is an opportunity to assess our inner potential and make the necessary changes," said UN programs manager Hrach Kajoyan. In his view, charging people with human trafficking (article 132) but then softening the charges to involvement in pimping (article 261) smacks of inefficacy.

"Creating our section was not a short-term project, it was the beginning of the whole process. This is a crime which has to be fought. Even if the US State Department shows total indifference to this issue, we will continue to fight," Boshnaghyan stated.

Anti-trafficking programs aim at raising awareness in schoolchildren and state officials alike, and at enacting legal reforms such as stricter punishment and establishing support mechanisms for victims. But the organizers of these programs realize that there is no guarantee against trafficking as long as people see going abroad as the only means to realize their hopes of employment. "One of the main reasons for the spread of this phenomenon is the difficult financial situation of the population. Divorced young women who have to care for their children usually end up as victims of trafficking. They are either single mothers, or women whose husbands have gone to Russia to work and remarried there. These women, who have secondary education at best, cannot find employment, but have to find a way to feed their children," Boshnaghyan said.

"No mother would leave her children here and go to work abroad if she could find satisfactory employment here. Their only reason to leave is employment; nobody is promising them millions, they go abroad to make 200-300 dollars a month, i.e. enough to get by on. No matter how much we promote awareness or reform the law, if someone is unemployed and has nothing to live on, they will go," said Viktoria Avakova. There have been cases established where Armenian men have been subjected to trafficking, particularly in Russia. However, Armen Boshnaghyan noted that no such cases have been registered in their jurisdiction.

"Offering support to Armenian men is definitely more difficult that it is to women. Armenian men, finding themselves in financial difficulty, usually have different means of getting aid, but do not seek help. We had a case on our hotline where a man had been subjected to exploitation in Russia. He had a college education and held a good post in Russia, but his documents were kept from him by someone else and he didn't receive pay for his work. Our mindset does not allow more such cases to surface," added Viktoria Avakova.

It is difficult to say whether or not cases of trafficking have decreased, or if the programs of international organizations and NGOs as well as the efforts of law enforcement bodies are effective.

But if the situation does not change soon, then Armenia risks finding itself among countries that do not combat trafficking, which could lead to economic sanctions - a cut in support for economic programs and humanitarian aid.

Aghavni Yeghiazaryan

Oskanian Warns Of `Economic Cost' Of Vote Rigging

RFE/RL Armenia Report - 12/29/2005
By Emil Danielyan

Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian made a case for Armenia's democratization in a televised interview broadcast late Wednesday, warning that the country risks paying not only a political but also an economic price for its culture of electoral fraud.

He specifically warned that the Armenian authorities will miss out on multimillion-dollar assistance from the United States if they fail to ensure the freedom and fairness of the next elections.

`Democracy is the main guarantee of Armenia's continued economic development,' Oskanian told the private Kentron television.

`We are now in a situation where any step away from democratization and a repeat of electoral fraud would have an economic cost. And I can name that cost: 235 million dollars,' he added, referring to the amount of extra U.S. aid to Armenia that was approved this month as part of Washington's Millennium Challenge Account program.

A U.S. government agency administering the scheme made its allocation conditional on `corrective steps' that would improve Yerevan's human rights record and rule out voting irregularities in the future. The Millennium Challenge Corporation expressed concern about reports of serious fraud that marred the recent constitutional referendum in Armenia.

According to Oskanian, a proper conduct of the next parliamentary and presidential elections, due in 2007 and 2008 respectively, is also vital for Armenia's relations with the European Union, another major donor. The EU has also criticized the handling of the November 27 referendum, openly questioning Yerevan's commitment to democracy.

`We can not afford to find ourselves in a similar situation after the next elections,' said Oskanian. The West has now `higher expectations' from Armenia and the latter would fail to meet them with mere claims that irregularities did not affect election results, he said.

The stark warning was addressed to `those individuals who resort to violations' of the electoral law. Oskanian did not name them, saying only that the country must not suffer `for the sake of some people's political careers.' The Syrian-born former U.S. citizen went on to urge the authorities and the Armenian opposition to embark on a `dialogue' on the issue.

That the referendum was accompanied by serious irregularities is also admitted by other government officials and pro-establishment politicians. Prime Minister Andranik Markarian, for example, said earlier this month that Armenia's leadership should `draw appropriate conclusions so that such actions are not carried out during the next elections.'

PROSECUTOR DEMANDS LIFE SENTENCE FOR THE MAN CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTING TO KILL U.S. PRESIDENT

Armenpress
Dec 28 2005

TBILISI, DECEMBER 28, ARMENPRESS: A Georgian prosecutor asked a court in Tbilisi to sentence a man charged with the attempted murder of the U.S.

President George Bush when he was visiting Georgia last May 10 to life imprisonment. The defendant, Vladimir Harutunian, has sewed up his mouth in what he says is a protest at a violation of his rights.

Vladimir Harutunian is accused of throwing a hand grenade at Bush and Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili while they were addressing a public audience on Freedom Square in central Tbilisi on May 10. The grenade did not explode. Harutunian was arrested in Tbilisi on July 20 after a shootout with Georgian police that resulted in the death of Col. Zurab Kvlividze, the head of the Georgian Interior Ministry's counterintelligence department.

The defendant came to the court hearing on Tuesday with his mouth sewed up. He claimed earlier his rights were violated. At the beginning of December, Harutunian refused to testify in his case unless representatives of Human Rights Watch attended the proceedings. He said the sentence had been "handed down even before the trial began."

AZERBAIJAN LEFT OUT OF US MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE PROGRAM

AzerNews Weekly, Azerbaijan
Dec 29 2005

The United States has again left Azerbaijan out of its Millennium Challenge program, explaining the move by what it called stalling democratic processes, shortfalls in state governance and lack of transparency in economic development.

Azeri officials said they are 'not concerned over this'. The Foreign Ministry spokesman Tahir Taghizada said the important issue is not U.S. assistance, but the continuing cooperation between the two countries. "The decision was also due to the fact reference was made to biased research materials on Azerbaijan provided by non-governmental organizations in the United States when the document was being developed."

The Azeri ambassador to the United States Hafiz Pashayev, in his meetings with American officials, voiced his objection over the decision. He called on Washington to use more impartial sources and on Congressmen not to accept the falsehood being spread by some pro-Armenian forces represented in these NGOs. The Millennium Challenge program implemented by the Bush administration targets assisting
developing countries. 16 criteria have been set for admission, including economic reforms, promoting democratic society, and living conditions of the population.

US AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA JOHN EVANS'S NEW YEAR'S MESSAGE TO THE ARMENIAN PEOPLE

Armenpress
Dec 28 2005

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 28, ARMENPRESS: Dear People of Armenia, on behalf of President Bush and the American people, I sincerely wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

In 2005 the United States and Armenia continued their strong tradition of friendship. During the past year, the United States and Armenia deepened their cooperation in the areas of business development, law enforcement, border security, and agriculture, to name just a few.

Through U.S. assistance programs, which have totaled over 1.6 billion dollars since 1992, the United States is ["]working["] to strengthen democratic institutions, provide for a more stable and secure South Caucasus, and build the economies of all three countries of the region [THAT'S QUITE A BIT OF MONEY TO GET NEGETIVE RESULTS].

As we look forward to 2006, it is my hope that Armenia and the United States can work together to create a bright future for the people of Armenia [MINE TOO, BUT "HOPE" IS ONLY AS GOOD AS THE PROGRAMS THEY ARE OFFERING]. The forthcoming year will serve as an opportunity for Armenia to establish itself as a thriving democracy and a country where the benefits of economic growth are shared broadly. The United States is committed to helping Armenia on this path [WITH THE RIGHT PUSH, WE CAN MAKE THIS STATEMENT A REALITY]. Once again, I wish you a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year, and all the best.

NAGORNO-KARABAKH PRESIDENT APPOINTS NEW FOREIGN MINISTER

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Dec 26 2005

YEREVAN, December 26. /ARKA/. On December 26th President of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) Arkady Ghukasyan released Foreign Minister Arman Melikyan and appointed Georgy Petrosyan in his place, formerly the NKR President's Counselor on foreign-policy affairs.

The President also appointed Arman Melikyan as his Counselor on foreign-policy affairs.

Brief biography of Georgy Petrosyan: He was born in 10.01.1953 in Stepanakert. In January-April 1992 - Vice-Chairman of the NKR's Supreme Soviet, from April 1992 to June 1993 - acting Chairman of the Supreme Soviet. Served in the USSR's armed forces in 1971-1973.

Graduated from the Minsk Institute of Radio Engineering (1978). In 1980-1990 worked at the Stepanakert condenser plant as Head of the Technical Control Department, later as Production Manager.

Since 1988 actively participated in the Karabakh movement. Member of the "Krunk" committee, the "Miatsum" socio-political organization and the NKR's National Council. In 1997-1999, President of the "Hai dat" education center, since 2000 - NKR President's Counselor. Member of the Armenian Supreme Soviet (1990-1995) and the NKR's Supreme Soviet (1992-1995).

US DENIED VISA TO ONE OF LEADING ARMENIAN POLITICAL ANALYSTS IGOR MURADYAN

Regnum, Russia
Dec 26 2005

US visa has been denied to one of the leading Armenian political analysts Igor Muradyan on December 23. Explanation of this decision is unclear. As Muradyan commented on the situation for REGNUM, he was given only vague explanations about a necessity to find out goals of his visit to the USA.

Earlier, he visited US for four times, where he conducted research on problems of the US policy in Caucasus and Middle East regions, which resulted in publication of four books and participation in numerous international conferences in Europe and Middle East.

He explains such decision of the US authorities with his recent speeches, where he stated that settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict in 2006 is a myth, and that all current settlement processes are only an imitation, conducted by the US ruling Republican Party.

He said that his statements contradicted with official Armenian rhetoric, and rhetoric of many Armenian opposing political forces. He also thinks that this decision may be influenced by the Armenian Assembly of US, experts of which regard Igor Muradyan as a serious rival in the question of creating ideas and propositions in non-public politics. He also noted that he always agreed with positive role of
the US in the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh problem and readiness of Washington to recognize sovereignty of the Karabakh Republic.

According to a number of politicians and political analytics "such position of the US embassy is an insult for the whole analytical and political community of Armenia."

http://www.regnum.ru/english/polit/565418.html

Anti-trafficking Efforts in Armenia

www.hetq.am
[December 19, 2005]

Timeline:

The US State Department's 2005 Trafficking in Persons Report places Armenia on its “Watch List” (countries that require special supervision).

March 16, 2005. The Prosecutor General of the Republic of Armenia creates a new department to fight human trafficking.

March 30, 2004. The Armenian Government and the UNDP approve the Anti-Trafficking Programme: Capacity Building Support and Victims Assistance project.

January 15, 2004. The Armenian Government approves a 2004-2006 national program to stop the trafficking and illegal trade of women.

August 2003. According to the new Armenian Criminal Code, human trade and trafficking becomes a criminal offense.

March 25, 2003. Armenia ratifies the UN Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime.

October 14, 2002. The Armenian prime minister creates a new committee to study the illegal trafficking and subsequent exploitation of women from Armenia and propose solutions for this problem.

2002. The Armenian government decides to take the issue of trafficking seriously, after Armenia is placed on Tier 3 of the US State Department's Trafficking in Persons Report (countries that ignore the issue and do not undertake proactive steps to solve it).

Anti-Trafficking Programs

“Everything began in 2001, when we met 59 victims of trafficking, discussed their cases, and notified the Armenian government. But the government determined that there was no trafficking in Armenia and that it was too early to talk about ‘modern slavery',” explained Hrach Kajhoyan, coordinator of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) programs. “It was only after the US State Department's report that the government decided to take action and to work with the IOM.”

Since 2002, the IOM's Yerevan branch has been implementing programs in several areas. These include retraining consulate and embassy workers, retraining and providing technical support for law enforcement anti trafficking departments, increasing awareness of the issue amongst the populace, and helping the victims of trafficking.

“In the beginning everyone had a wrong understanding of the issue. But now I can say that seminars, round tables, conferences, and discussions with international experts have yielded positive results. Now government officials in the various agencies know what trafficking is and how to fight it in a proactive way,” Kajhoyan continued.

The IOM also assisted the local NGO Hope and Help, which works with the victims of trafficking. They run a hotline and a shelter, providing psychological, legal and medical support.

“We've worked with 32 people,” explained Enok Satvoryan, the director of Hope and Help. “It's hard to get in contact with the victims, and help them understand that they are victims of trafficking. We help them as much as we can; we file the necessary documents and give them a place in our shelter. There will be a need for programs like this in Armenia until people stop dreaming of leaving this country.”

In March 2004, the Armenian government and UNDP approved the Anti-Trafficking Programme: Capacity Building Support and Victims Assistance project. The UNDP program is implemented with the help of the Armenian branches of the IOM and the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) and has three main directions: supporting anti-trafficking, raising awareness of the issue, and helping victims.

The governments of Norway and the Netherlands have provided $650,000 for implementation of the program. It is scheduled to end in May 2006, but most likely will be extended.

The UNDP assists the government in creating an effective anti-trafficking policy by introducing legislation improvements, providing the victims with medical support and helping them reintegrate into society, and improving the coordination of anti-trafficking efforts in the region. A network of local NGOs, reporters covering the issue, and journalists' organizations has been created to promote greater coordination and effectiveness.

“To improve anti-trafficking efforts, we are trying to create an efficient channel of communication between all the parties involved—the government, NGOs, and international organizations. UNDP subcontractors UMCOR and the IOM are also working on the ‘raising awareness' part of the program,” said Aida Khazaryan, coordinator of the UNDP anti-trafficking program.

“Our part of the program is called ‘Helping the victims of trafficking and forced prostitution.' We are implementing it working with the NGO Democracy Today,” said project director Viktoria Avakova. “In the beginning it was hard, as government officials from different departments did not differentiate trafficking from prostitution, and victims did not realize that they were victims. Now the situation is different. Social workers and doctors know how to treat people who are victims of trafficking and the victims now trust us.”

UMCOR works in several directions, raising awareness of the issue amongst the populace, providing support to the victims, and training social workers and employment agency and hospital personnel.

In 2004, it opened a support hotline to provide assistance to the victims. The hotline has received 1,000 calls so far, 16% of them related to trafficking and similar incidents. The victims are given advice and a place in the shelter. “We have worked with 14 people so far. Regardless of whether the victim stays in our shelter or not, our experts provide legal, psychological, and medical assistance. But our support for the victim doesn't end there. We work with local employment agencies and if there is an appropriate vacancy, we send the victim to a take whatever course is necessary, so she hopefully will find a job,” Avakova continued.

To raise awareness, announcements have been printed in newspapers and aired on TV and radio. Seminars have been organized for NGO workers and government officials.

The IOM works in the regions as well, presenting the trafficking issue in a play called Burning Candles , which tells the story of a woman who becomes a victim. “We perform the play in the regions. We have already done it in Gyumri, Charentsavan, Vanadzor, Yeghegnadzor and Goris. After the play, we discuss the issue with local organizations and give them information so that they can do their work in the regions. Sometimes the local TV channels do news reports on the issue. We also provide a video of theatre play, so it can be aired on TV, too,” said program consultant Lusine Melkonyan.

to be continued

Aghavni Yeghyazaryan

| 16:30:06 | 23-12-2005 | Politics |

RA OMBUDSMAN IS SHOCKED BY THE “MILLENIUM CHALLENGE CORPORATION” LETTER

The RA Ombudsman Larissa Alaverdyan was deeply impressed by the letter of the «Millennium Challenge Corporation» to the RA Government. «The country must not appear in a situation to allow others to treat him that way», the Ombudsman said noticing hints of order in the letter. “They give us the sum with one hand and show us with the other how to earn it”, she said. {BR}

HUNGER STRIKE IS NO GUARANTEE FOR SUCCESS

There are cases in Armenia when the citizens desperate by the injustice around them take the last measure – go on a hunger strike. Larissa Alaverdyan has her own point of view about this issue, “From the humanitarian point of view I am against hunger strikes”. She explains her point of view by the fact that first of all the hunger strike affects the health of the person. Besides, according to Larissa Alaverdyan, there is not a single precedent in the world when the person reached his aim by means of the hunger strike.

The head of the Helsinki Committee Avetiq Ishkhanyan did not agree with the last remark He reminded that Gandhi stopped the war between Pakistan and India by means of his hunger strike. They also mentioned that Sakharov too did the same thing. “All the same, I would not like the people to be elated by those facts”, the Ombudsman said and advised the residents of the Buzand street to choose the legislative way of struggle.

THE LAST REPORT OF THE OMBUDSMAN

The participants of the discussion of the activity of the RA Ombudsman tried to sum up what the RA first Ombudsman has done during her 6-year office. Before that Mrs. Alaverdyan is to submit her annual report about “The Activity of the Ombudsman and the Violations of Human Rights”. In comparison with the last report it will be full of examples of human rights violations. There will also be a reference to cultural and ecological issues and to the interests of consumers.

Larissa Alaverdyan complained that after the Constitutional Amendments there were very few people who applied to the Ombudsman. She also said that she doesn’t have enough data for her report yet; for example she does not know how many soldiers have died in the RA Armed Force in 2005. Before receiving official information the advocates present at the discussion informed her that 135 soldiers have died this year.

At the end of the discussion some of the representatives of the NGOs said they wanted Larissa Alaverdyan to continue in her post.