Cablegate: Egypt: Nterim Tip Assessment

VZCZCXRO6047
PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK RUEHROV
DE RUEHEG #3258 3181539
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 141539Z NOV 07
FM AMEMBASSY CAIRO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7451
INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS CAIRO 003258

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ELA, NEA/RA AND G/TIP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KCRM KWMN PGOV PHUM SMIG AEMR EG
SUBJECT: EGYPT: NTERIM TIP ASSESSMENT

REF: A. SECSTATE 147732 B. CAIRO 3031
C. CAIRO 2536
D. CAIRO 1097
Sensitive but unclassified, please protect accordngly.

1. (U) Per ref A instructions, we providethe below input for the
interim Trafficking-in-Pesons (TIP) assessment for Egypt. We note
that te GOE inter-ministeial "National Committee to Comat and
Prevent Trafficking in Persons" had its frst meeting in October
2007, representing a longawaited step to increase official GOE
efforts aganst trafficking. The inter-ministerial committee s
working on three tracks: implementing already xistent anti-TIP
provisions; legislating new ant-TIP laws; and increasing public
awareness of th nature and importance of TIP (ref B).
Additionaly, Egypt and the UAE are currently drafting the Arb
League's anti-TIP action plan, which would the be incumbent upon
member states to implement.
Increasing Criminal Investigations and Prosecutios
--------------------------------------------- -----

2. (SBU) The inter-ministerial committee ha identified increasing
investigations and prosections under existing law as one of its
main task. The GOE already prosecutes some cases of indiviuals
who force children into prostitution or beggng. Over the past few
months, there have been icreasing reports of GOE authorities
arresting smgglers who arrange for Egyptians to illegally travl to
Europe to work. The GOE has also long beenfocused on Bedouin
smugglers in the Sinai and is ndertaking a comprehensive assessment
of trafficing networks in the Sinai.

Identifying Victims nd Providing Protection Services
--------------------------------------------- -------

3. (SBU) lthough not specifically geared towards trafficking
victims, quasi-governmental organizations such as the National
Center for Childhood and Motherhood (NCCM) and the National Center
for Women (NCW) are bolstering their network of services to abused
street children and women (ref D). USAID is supporting these
efforts in a five-year activity to combat violence against women and
children that is likely to incorporate anti-TIP priorities. A major
component of the project will be to strengthen and expand services
extended to street children, including the upgrading of reception
houses.

Enacting Anti-Trafficking Legislation
-------------------------------------

4. (SBU) The NCCM has drafted a new child protection law that
specifically addresses TIP in regards to children, to be introduced
in the current session of parliament (ref B). The law delineates a
penalty of at least five years in prison and a fine of at least LE
50,000 (USD 8,990) for any persons who "present for purchasing,
receive, or deliver a child in order to be treated as a slave or
with the intention of usage in unlawful commercial or sexual
exploitation or any other illegitimate purposes." Additionally,
those in violation of child labor laws are subject to fines
beginning at LE 200 (USD 36), doubling for each violation, and any
who "endanger the life of a child," which includes exposing a child
to "abuse, violence, exploitation, or displacement," incurs a
sentence of at least three months in prison. The new law increases
the minimum age of marriage for girls from 16 to 18.

5. (SBU) The Ministry of Justice is also working on new,
comprehensive anti-TIP legislation. This is the first indication we
have of official GOE support for the idea that a comprehensive
anti-TIP law is necessary for Egypt.

Instituting a Public Awareness Campaign
---------------------------------------

6. (SBU) In early July, state-owned Egyptian television began airing
UN-produced public service announcements on labor trafficking during
prime-time broadcasts. Media monitoring indicated that the spots
were aired throughout the day, most notably before and after evening
news programs, serials, and popular prime-time talk shows (ref C).
The inter-ministerial committee has focused on increasing public
awareness as one of its main tasks.
RICCIARDONE

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