Armenia denounces Walk Free Foundation’s slavery reportJune 14, 2016 - 13:33 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian Foreign Ministry said Tuesday, June 14 that the representatives of Walk Free Foundation haven't visited Armenia, nor have they cooperated with any of relevant agencies and NGOs before publishing the Global Slavery Index. The Walk Free Foundation's Global Slavery Index 2016 showed that Armenia ranks the 119th, with some 14,100 people – about 0,47% of the population – trapped in modern slavery in 2015. “It is thus unclear what research and methodological tools the Foundation has used when drawing conclusions on the situation in Armenia,” the Foreign Ministry told Panorama.am. Also, the Ministry said, a preliminary study of the report suggests that the research hasn’t used mechanisms for in-depth interviews in Armenia. “Most importantly, in the U.S. State Department’s annual report, Armenia is listed among countries with the most efficient fight against trafficking, with only 31 countries out of 188 nations also included in the 1st group,” The Ministry said. The report suggested that over 45 million men, women and children are trapped in slavery worldwide –28% more slaves than estimated two years ago. According to the study, India had the highest number of people trapped in slavery at 18.35 million. In terms of absolute numbers, Asian countries occupy the top five for people trapped in slavery. Behind India was China (3.39 million), Pakistan (2.13 million), Bangladesh (1.53 million) and Uzbekistan (1.23 million). Top stories David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. The number of state universities will be reduced from 23 to 8 by 2030, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan has said. From September 21 to November 11, a total of 2,820 Russians registered at a place of residence in Armenia, the police has said. The situation on the contact line between Karabakh and Azerbaijan was relatively stable overnight, the Defense Army says. Partner news | Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. |