Modern slavery spreading in Armenia
By Mushvig Mehdiyev
Armenia was ranked 81 among 167 countries in terms of prevalence of population in modern slavery, according to the Walk Free Foundation.
Modern slavery hit 10,700 Armenians, according to the Global Slavery Index - 2014 developed by the Australian human rights organization Walk Free Foundation. It means that 0.36 percent of the country's overall 2,976,566 population are living in slavery.
Different countries use different terminology to describe modern forms of slavery, including the term slavery itself along with other concepts such as human trafficking, forced labor, debt bondage, forced or servile marriage, and the sale and exploitation of children.
The Index says the modern slavery involves one person possessing or controlling another one in such a way to significantly deprive that person of his/her individual liberty, with the intention of exploiting that person through his/her use, management, profit, transfer or disposal.
While no country has yet issued a fully comprehensive response to modern slavery, most countries within the Index are taking some action to respond to the problem.
Armenia was put at 77th place and rated at CCC level in terms of the government responses to fight the modern slavery. The Index explains that the government of the country at CCC level has a limited response to modern slavery, with largely basic victim support services and limited criminal justice framework. It also owns a restricted coordination or collaboration mechanism and a few protections for those vulnerable to modern slavery. It may be possible that even some government policies and practices paves the way for slavery.
Armenia was ranked 6th among CIS countries for its efforts to prevent the modern slavery.
Hard economic and social environment in Armenia boosts slavery on its territory. Widespread unemployment and malnourishment force the residents to leave their homelands for earning money. This, in turn, waters the mills of human trafficking, organ trade, forced labor, banking loans and etc.
The Index puts the estimated number of people in modern slavery at 35.8 million worldwide in 2014 compared to 29.8 million in 2013. Approximately 61 percent of those living in slavery are in five countries: India, China, Pakistan, Uzbekistan and Russia.
According to the Walk Free Foundation, Ireland, Iceland and Luxembourg are the countries with the least level of slavery.
Modern slavery is a hidden crime. It has many forms, and is known by many names such as slavery, forced labor, human trafficking, etc. It contributes to the production of at least 122 goods from 58 countries worldwide. The International Labor Organization estimates the illicit profits of forced labor to be $150 billion a year.
Although the world civilization has abolished the slavery as a political formation long time ago, it faces this evil in a form changed by modern challenges. Now the world should unite to fight that evil, accepting that it as a foreground duty and responsibility and human freedom should top the list of any priorities.