Human Trafficking in [Armenia] [other countries]
Street Children in [Armenia] [other countries]
Child Prostitution in [Armenia] [other countries]
 

Child Prostitution

The Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children

Republic of Armenia [ Country-by-Country Reports ]

The Republic of Armenia, in the S Caucasus [map], is bounded by Turkey on the west, Azerbaijan on the east, the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan and Iran on its southwestern border, and Georgia on the north. Yerevan is the capital. The Armenian Government launched an ambitious IMF-sponsored economic liberalization program that resulted in positive growth rates in 1995-2003. It has managed to slash inflation, stabilize the local currency (the dram), and privatize most small- and medium-sized enterprises. Armenia's severe trade imbalance has been offset somewhat by international aid and foreign direct investment.

CAUTION:  The following links and accompanying text have been culled from the web to illuminate the situation in Armenia. Some of these links may lead to websites that present allegations that are unsubstantiated, misleading or even false. No attempt has been made to validate their authenticity or to verify their content.

U.S. Dept of Labor Bureau of International Labor Affairs

INCIDENCE AND NATURE OF CHILD LABOR - The commercial exploitation of girls is reportedly increasing in Armenia.. Trafficking of girls to Turkey and the United Arab Emirates for prostitution is a problem.

Bur of Democracy, Human Rights & Labor - Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2005

TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS – Authorities reported the country is a source and transit point for women and girls trafficked primarily for sexual exploitation to the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Russia, Uzbekistan, Greece, and other European countries.

Concluding Observations of the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) - 2004

[241] While welcoming that penalties have been introduced under the Criminal Code for enticing girls into prostitution and keeping brothels, the Committee reiterates its concern at the insufficient data on and awareness of the phenomenon of sexual exploitation of children in Armenia, and at the absence of a comprehensive and integrated approach to preventing and combating this phenomenon. Furthermore, the Committee is deeply concerned that persons under 18 years of age engaged in prostitution are prosecuted under the Criminal Code, rather than assisted as victims.

ECPAT: Fifth Report on implementation of the Agenda for Action [DOC]

[B] COUNTRY UPDATES – ARMENIA - In 2000 UNICEF, together with the IOM and the OSCE, conducted a study on the trafficking of women and children from Armenia. Those who have taken part in the study have said that the findings are alarming.

RIGHTS OF THE CHILD - Report submitted by Special Rapporteur [DOC]

[56] The policy framework for children in Armenia is the 2001 National Plan of Action for the Protection of the Rights of the Child, prepared based on the recommendation of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child.

Armenia: Child Prostitution Taboo

Underage prostitution is growing as more young people end up on the streets.

Two years ago, when Hasmik was begging in a park in the capital Yerevan with her mother and younger brother and sister, three men forced her into their car and raped her.  Hasmik's mother chose not to go to the police, fearing that as a beggar, she would only get into more trouble. Instead, she actively encouraged her daughter to become a prostitute.  "I share an apartment with my friend, and try to avoid my mother. She's always asking for money," Hasmik said.

From Stockholm to Yokohama: The Global Partnership to Combat CSEC [DOC]

MONITORING -- WHAT MEASURES HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO PREVENT CHILD SEX TOURISM IN AND FROM THE COUNTRY? - In Armenia, a major part of the child sex tourism industry is connected to the vast numbers of Armenian children that are trafficked from one city to another, within Armenia or from Armenia to other countries. One way of preventing trafficking, and child prostitution, is through legal measures that prohibit children from traveling without their parents.

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Human Trafficking in [Armenia] [other countries]
Street Children in [Armenia] [other countries]
Child Prostitution in [Armenia] [other countries]