VZCZCXYZ0002
RR RUEHWEB
DE RUEHBU #0793/01 1141333
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 241333Z APR 07
FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 7932
UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000793
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
G/TIP FOR BRESNEHAN
WHA/PPC FOR PUCCETTI
WHA/BSC FOR BARNES, FRIEDMAN, MOSS, AND BLAKENEY
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC ELAB KCRM PHUM PREL SMIG
SUBJECT: EMBASSY BUENOS AIRES PROPOSALS FOR G/TIP MANAGED FY 2007
ESF AND INCLE FUNDS
REF: A) STATE 28159
B) BUENOS AIRES 753
C) 05 STATE 21324
D) 03 STATE 34981
1. (SBU) Summary: Embassy Buenos Aires's top priorities in
strengthening Argentina's anti-trafficking efforts include 1)
advanced training in investigating and prosecuting human trafficking
cases; 2) the establishment of a dedicated and specialized
assistance center for trafficking victims; and 3) improved
coordination among NGOs and migrant organizations focused on
combating human trafficking and reintegrating victims in their
economy, and communities where possible. The Argentine government,
in conjunction with the International Organization for Migration,
has spent considerable efforts in raising public awareness of human
trafficking and has made basic anti-trafficking education a regular
part of training for law enforcement and judicial officials through
its Office of Assistance to Victims of Crime (OFAVI). In recent
months a number of bills seeking to criminalize trafficking in
persons have been introduced in the Argentine Congress, and Lower
House Criminal Legislation Committee Chairperson told us that she
was confident that the law would pass by the end of May (ref B).
The Ambassador and Embassy staff are actively working to that end.
Funding TIP-related training to judges, prosecutors, law
enforcement, officials as well as health workers and labor
inspectors will help build on this positive momentum, and strengthen
institutional capacity to effectively identify victims, as well as
investigate and prosecute human trafficking cases.
2. (SBU) In addition, OFAVI and IOM has developed a victim's
referral process in order to provide more comprehensive victim's
assistance, including medical, psychological, reintegration, and in
some cases, repatriation assistance. Unfortunately, the number of
victims who need this assistance outpace the number of victims OFAVI
and IOM are able to assist, and there are no shelters specifically
dedicated for trafficking victims in Argentina. For these reasons,
the Embassy recommends ESF funding for a pilot project that would
establish a victim's assistance center that would not only provide
shelter but offer integrated services with the ultimate aim of
social reintegration. End Summary.
---------------------------
Proposals for INCLE Funding
---------------------------
3. (SBU) Argentine NGO Unidos por la Justicia (UPLJ) and USDOJ's
Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and
Training (OPDAT) have both submitted proposals focusing on advanced
training for judges, prosecutors and law enforcement officials in
investigating and prosecuting cases. Both applicants have indicated
to post that they would be willing to work together to offer this
type of training. Post recommends that local NGO, UPLJ administer
the program stipulating that it develop a a joint work plan that
would integrate elements of both programs, specifically delineating
roles and responsibilities of each organization, and subject to
Embassy review and approval. Should this proposal be selected, we
would recommend bolstering UPLJ's anticipated budget by $100,000 to
reflect the additional costs of bringing in USG trainers for the
program as well as overhead and logistical support costs associated
with the preparation and translation of training materials. The
U.S. Embassy has worked very closely with Unidos por la Justicia
particularly in the implementation of our "Justice Undergoing
Change" program, which is aimed at providing training to magistrates
to help Argentina make its judicial system more efficient.
A. Unidos por la Justicia Proposal
-----------------------------------
i) Organization Name: Unidos por la Justicia Asociacion Civil
ii) Budget Cost: $80,400
iii) Project Title: Integrated Trafficking in Persons Training and
Prevention Program
iv) Project Duration: 2 years
v) Proposal Abstract: The project's goal is to enhance the
judicial system's efficiency in prosecuting crimes related to human
smuggling and trafficking through the integrated training of judges,
prosecutors and law enforcement officials and agents. The project
also aims to provide training to civil society leaders to provide
integrated assistance of trafficking victims and to vulnerable
populations, with the goal of strengthening the social reintegration
process and avoiding the recruitment of new victims. Unidos por la
Justicia will draw on a number of judicial officials and community
leaders with the necessary expertise to implement an Integrated
Training and Prevention Program that addresses all aspects of the
trafficking phenomenon.
The project seeks to implement three types of concurrent activities,
with the principle goal being integrated training that comprises the
main aspects of smuggling of human beings and trafficking in
persons: a) prevention, b) prosecution and c) victims assistance and
the socio-economic reintegration of victims.
A team of trainers from Unidos por la Justicia and guest experts
will direct intensive workshops in investigative techniques to
combat migrant smuggling and trafficking in persons. The workshops
will be addressed to members of the judiciary, public ministries
(offices of prosecutors) and law enforcement agents and officials.
The training course will develop specific investigative protocols
for this sort of crime, which will emphasize the planning and
coordination of the different activities that investigations require
among all the institutional actors involved. Another team of
trainers will prepare workshops aimed at preventing the recruitment
of victims in high-risk areas, and at training community leaders to
aid and help reintegrate victims.
The following outcomes are expected from the Integrated Training and
Prevention Program:
a. Enhance prosecutorial effectiveness by improving coordination
among people and resources.
b. Improve the planning of investigations.
c. Strengthen the criminal system so as to combat migrant smuggling
and trafficking in persons.
d. Decrease levels of revictimization in smuggling and trafficking
crimes in Argentina.
e. Strengthen mechanisms of assistance and social reintegration of
victims.
B. USDOJ'S Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance
and Training Proposal
--------------------------------------------- -------
i) U.S. Department of Justice
Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and
Training (OPDAT)
ii) Budget Cost: $ 225,335.00
iii) Project Title: Technical Assistance to Increase the Capacity
of Argentina's Criminal Justice System to Combat Trafficking in
Persons
iv) Project Duration: 2 years
v) Proposal Abstract: The proposed technical assistance program is
designed to address the Argentine Republic's ability to effectively
investigate and prosecute human trafficking cases, as well as
improve courtroom handling and protection of victims and witnesses.
This proposal is put forth with a goal to improve the capacity of
the Argentine Attorney General's Office and the Argentine Federal
Police to work within their own legal system to better combat human
trafficking. The proposed program is entirely sustainable because it
is designed to help Argentina's prosecutors, investigators, border
officials and victim/witness experts develop the requisite "know
how" to better utilize their own laws and procedures to effectively
monitor and prosecute human trafficking.
Over the course of two years, US federal prosecutors,
investigators and victim-witness experts with experience prosecuting
human trafficking cases and conducting international training will
work with Argentina's prosecutors, investigators, NGOs and other
relevant stakeholders so that they might better investigate and
prosecute suspected traffickers and protect trafficking victims.
During the first year, OPDAT will focus on building the skills of
prosecutors and law enforcement officials - specifically members of
a new unit established to increase human trafficking prosecutions in
Argentina - to enforce existing laws and investigate and develop
trafficking cases through hands on, practical training. The goals
of such workshops will be to develop best practices to investigate
and prosecutor traffickers and public officials who participate in
or facilitate human trafficking. These workshops will also examine
Argentina's existing criminal legislation and discuss how it can be
used to prosecute traffickers, including how to use related criminal
offenses to bring charges against suspected traffickers.
In an effort to better protect victims, a second component of
the program will be to facilitate close working relations between
police and NGOs and train police in special victim interview
techniques. The focus of these programs will be to develop a better
system for protecting victims and witnesses and to develop victim
protection protocols based on best practices. During these
programs, participants will assess the capability of provincial and
municipal leaders to comply with international and Argentine human
trafficking statues, and recommend, as necessary and/or feasible,
improvements.
4. (SBU) The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has
submitted a proposal for training of labor inspectors and healthcare
workers so that they may better identify, and ultimately assist,
victims of trafficking for labor and sexual exploitation. It also
offers health training to populations at risk of being trafficked as
well as integration victims assistance including medical and
psychological services as well as reintegration into the economy
through microenterprise activities. With grants from the Bureau of
Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) in FY 04 and FY06, IOM has
done an excellent job in providing basic anti-TIP training to
numerous judges, prosecutors, security and law enforcement agents,
and other officials at the national and provincial level as well as
launching a nation-wide public awareness campaign featuring popular
actress/singer Natalia Oreiro, who recorded a song and produced a
video to highlight the issue. Based on our evaluation of current
IOM programs, we believe they have the institutional capacity to
manage these funds well, deliver results, and set up mechanisms that
will ensure sustainability.
A. IOM's Proposal
------------------
i) International Organization for Migration
ii) Budget Cost: $422,951
iii) Project Title: Program for the Prevention and Protection of the
Victims of Trafficking and Vulnerable Population in the Southern
Cone
iv) Project Duration: 12 months (Anticipated October 2007 to October
2008)
v) Abstract: The overall objectives of the project are to
strengthen migrant associations and NGOs ability to fight
trafficking for sexual and labor exploitation by focusing on
programs aimed at prevention and victim protection. The project also
seeks to fortify the ability of governments, migrant associations
and NGOs to identify victims. In addition, it includes a strong
component of assistance and empowerment of victims of trafficking
(VoT) and the population most at risk of being trafficked. The
project also seeks to strengthen NGO and migrant efforts to generate
more job opportunities for VoTs and populations at risk of being
trafficked.
Some of the main activities envisaged in the present project are: a.
Development of an assessment/study on the trafficking phenomenon for
labor exploitation in Buenos Aires, b. Training and workshops on
Human and Labour rights, c. Training and workshops on Human Rights
and Access to Health rights for persons vulnerable to trafficking,
prevention of HIV transmission and promotion of HIV voluntary
testing, d. Training of labor inspectors teams and public health
physicians on the Palermo protocol and UN - ILO Conventions
regarding abolition of slavery and practices similar to slavery
(forced labor/labor in servitude conditions, etc.) for the better
identification of victims, e. Direct assistance to VOTs.
The project activities are meant to achieve the strengthening
of existing organizations and the creation or consolidation of
networks. As a result of it, the growth of the amount of regularized
and documented migrants is also expected as well as the increase of
the number of assisted victims of trafficking for sexual and labor
exploitation, and the increase of the number of reintegration plans
designed and agreed with the victims and a larger quantity of
victims participating in training courses for labor reintegration.
------------------------------------
Proposal Recommended for ESF Funding
------------------------------------
5) (SBU) The Asociacion Civil Centro Integral de Rehabilitacion
Social Argentino (CIRSA) proposes to establish a dedicated and
specialized assistance center for minor victims of trafficking for
sexual exploitation with the ultimate aim of reintegration into the
economy, and communities, where possible. The center will provide
medical and psychological services; literacy program for unschooled
victims; vocational training for victims over the age of 16;
subsidies to the victims so that they may be able to develop their
own microenterprises. Through a donation from the Catholic Church,
CIRSA already has a house where the center would operate. In
addition, it has developed a strong relationship with the Ministry
of Interior, which provides security forces to assist CIRSA in its
efforts to rescue trafficking victims.
i) Asociacion Civil Centro Integral de Rehabilitacion Social
Argentino (CIRSA)
ii) Budget Cost: $186,400
iii) Project Title: Integrated Assistance Center for Minor Victims
of Trafficking for Sexual Exploitation
iv) Project Duration: 2 years
v) Abstract: The trafficking of children and adolescents in
Argentina for sexual exploitation purposes has always been a vital
social concern and part of the public agenda.
There has been a consistent increase in trafficking for sexual
exploitation purposes, with 97% of victims being adult females,
children and adolescents.
At present, there is a need to create a center designed to protect
and aid child and adolescent victims of trafficking. There is no
national center of this kind, either state-run or private.
Government attempts to address the issue have been largely
uncoordinated and have yielded poor results, given the lack of
effective interdisciplinary and interinstitutional approaches to the
problem. Progress in this area has also been limited in part due to
the absence of private financial contributors.
The proposed Center of Integrated Assistance for Children and
Adolescent Traffic Victims will address the victims' legal,
sanitary, psychological and social needs. Three lines of action
will be prioritized: protection, assistance and integrated treatment
of children and adolescents victimized by the sex trade in any part
of the country. The center will also provide a temporary home to
victims who are referred from either state or civil-society
organizations in the City of Buenos Aires, capital of the Republic
of Argentina.
The Center will provide direct assistance for children and
adolescent traffic victims, focusing on their gradual social
reintegration through ludo-therapy activities, courses on victims'
rights, trade and art workshops, and job training for those over 16
years of age, all of which will be based on non-formal education
standards designed around the victim's personal characteristics and
needs.
In order to implement the proposed activities, the Center of
Integrated Assistance for Children and Adolescent Traffic Victims
will rely on an expert professional team.
The following results are expected to be obtained after 24
(twenty-four) months:
a) A Center of Integrated Assistance for Children and Adolescent
Traffic Victims.
b) Social and family reintegration of the victims.
c) A literacy program for unschooled victims.
d) Non-formal education in the areas of arts and trades, human
rights promotion and job training for those over 16 years of age.
e) A system of subsidies for the development of small-scale business
plans for individuals or groups.
f) Agreements with companies and state organizations to secure the
long-term sustainability of the project.
WAYNE