22 Child Trafficking Victims Identified in Armenia Since 2022, European Report Finds

Armenia has made notable progress in strengthening its response to human trafficking, according to a new assessment by the Council of Europe’s anti-trafficking monitoring body, which praised improvements in victim identification and support services while calling for more decisive action against labor exploitation.

In its latest report, the Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) reviewed developments in Armenia since 2022 and highlighted advances in the country’s efforts to detect trafficking victims, investigate crimes, and enhance legal protections.

According to the report, 90 people were identified as victims of human trafficking between 2022 and 2025, including 22 children. GRETA noted that expanded training programs and new investigative tools have contributed to an increase in both victim identification and trafficking-related investigations.

The report also points to a shift in trafficking patterns, with labor exploitation now emerging as the most common form of abuse among identified victims. Authorities have additionally recorded a rise in foreign victims, including migrant workers, underscoring the growing cross-border dimension of the issue.

GRETA welcomed a series of legislative reforms introduced during the reporting period, including new human trafficking provisions in Armenia’s Criminal Code, the incorporation of a legal definition of “forced or compulsory labor” into the Labor Code, and reforms aimed at strengthening child protection mechanisms.

However, the Council of Europe experts stressed that significant challenges remain. The report calls on Armenian authorities to increase financial and human resources for child protection institutions, arguing that stronger capacities are essential for preventing child trafficking and protecting vulnerable minors.

The report also commended efforts to improve online safety and strengthen investigations into trafficking crimes facilitated through digital technologies, an area of growing concern across Europe.

Despite an increase in investigations, GRETA expressed concern that the number of trafficking convictions remains relatively low. The experts urged Armenian authorities to pursue trafficking cases more proactively, ensure investigations are conducted swiftly, and avoid downgrading trafficking offenses to lesser crimes.

The report further emphasizes that successful prosecutions should result in effective, proportionate, and dissuasive penalties, while victims should have greater access to legal assistance and compensation.

The findings reflect both the progress Armenia has made in aligning its anti-trafficking framework with international standards and the continuing need for stronger enforcement measures to address one of the most serious human rights challenges facing the region.

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