The bill on compensations for victims of trafficking is targeted at fulfillment of international commitments and completion of the assignments of the Government of the Republic of Armenia, particularly the improvement of mechanisms for the protection of children’s rights and increase of effectiveness of the existing system. This is what Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, main reporter Smbat Sayan said while the bill on making amendments and supplements to the Law “On detecting, supporting and illegally exploiting victims of trafficking” was being considered during the session of the Standing Committee on Human Rights Protection and Public Affairs of the National Assembly of Armenia on 9 April.

Sayan stated that the existing law doesn’t include a procedure for overseeing children and, according to him, thanks to oversight, social support is provided to victims of trafficking and their relations with organizations providing assistance are ensured.

He also stated that there is a program funded at the expense of the state budget and that this program envisages the provision of social support to victims of trafficking through the allocation of financial resources, but this compensation is not envisaged for children, and this creates problems in law-enforcement practice.

According to the bill, a child subjected to trafficking or illegal exploitation becomes a victim under a special category. In addition, according to the deputy minister, the bill prescribes lump-sum monetary compensation in the amount of AMD 250,000.