Trafficking in persons ? still homework to do

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A public exhibition in the Armenian capital Yerevan showcased more than 40 photos taken by Armenian youth within the ''See it Our Way'' photoproject organised by World Vision and UK charity Photo Voice to illustrate the realities of human trafficking from the perspective of Armenian youth. A public exhibition in Gyumri, the second largest city of Armenian showcased more than 40 photos taken by Armenian youth within the ''See it Our Way'' photoproject organised by World Vision and UK charity Photo Voice to illustrate the realities of human trafficking from the perspective of Armenian youth. The photo project workshops were held in Gyumri, the northwest capital of Armenia, and involved 11 Photography Club members from Gyumri. These young people from Gyumri were given an opportunity to share their point of view and tell a story about trafficking by taking photographs, discussing them together and developing narratives to go with their photos. During the exhibition the photos were used to raise awareness about human trafficking and how it can be prevented. Despite strong economic growth, Armenia's unemployment rate remains high and poverty forces many households to devise survival strategies that include migrating for employment opportunities. Because there are few legal means for migration, people find alternative channels, where they are often exploited by traffickers. ''Trafficking and exploitation are evil for any society and should be combated, and it is great that the young generation can share its perspective on human trafficking. The photos exhibited are close to professional. I like the angles of photos, the light, but more than that I admire that teenagers learnt how photography can be used to tell the story'', said Artashes Hakobyan, the head of the photo club in Gyumri. Although the number of reported trafficking victims in Armenia is not large, the issue itself raises concerns and requires counter measures. During recent years, tangible measures have been applied against trafficking in Armenia, ranging from government and legislative levels to public awareness-raising. Armenia prohibits human trafficking through its Criminal Code (Articles 132 and 132-1) which, as amended in January 2010, prescribes penalties from five to 15 years' imprisonment. 'Trafficking organisations typically recruit victims with the promise of high paying work in another country. Once in the country of destination, victims are deprived of their documents, the most basic facilities and are deployed into forced labour', shared Lusine Ginosyan, the head of Shirak region Family, Women and Children's Rights Protection department. 'In this exhibition I see very mature photos with strong psychological messages that can make someone rethink and step back from certain deeds... many would want to change things in their lives, and others would want to offer a helping hand', she added. These photos taken by Armenian youth will be combined with those taken by youth in Romania, Albania, Lebanon and Pakistan, collectively called the 'See it our way' photoproject, which will contribute to the Human Wrong Initiative in 2011– a World Vision US campaign of university students from across the U.S. raising their voices to fight child slavery (www.humanwrong.org). Representatives from the government, international organisations, civil society, and media attended the ten-day exhibition, which ended on Human Rights Day on the 10th of December. -Ends-