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Cablegate: Sri Lanka: Trafficking in Persons Proposals For

Published: Mon 11 Feb 2008 10:12 AM
VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB
DE RUEHLM #0153/01 0421012
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 111012Z FEB 08
FM AMEMBASSY COLOMBO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7682
INFO RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 1838
UNCLAS COLOMBO 000153
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/INS, SCA/RA AND G/TIP (FARAJ)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC ELAB PHUM PREL SMIG KCRM CE
SUBJECT: SRI LANKA: TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS PROPOSALS FOR
G/TIP-MANAGED FY 2008 ESF AND INCLE FUNDS
REF: 07 STATE 161503
1. Post, following G/TIP instructions in reftel, solicited
anti-trafficking project proposals from local and regional
organizations and received three proposals. The International
Organization for Migration (IOM) proposal includes improving
the GSL's capacity to prosecute trafficking crimes and to
identify and protect victims. The International Labor
Organization (ILO) proposal focuses on improving recruitment
practices and building GSL capacity to protect labor rights.
The Lawyers for Human Rights and Development (LHRD) proposal
involves law enforcement training and legal support to
victims. Summary information for the proposals follows
below. Full proposals will be forwarded by email to the
G/TIP Programs Section point of contact for NEA and SCA.
2. Post thinks Proposal 1 would best address Sri Lanka's TIP
needs. It tracks closely with G/TIP's Action Plan for Sri
Lanka and would complement the work IOM is currently doing on
TIP with USAID and Department funds. The proposal focuses on
building the capacity of law enforcement and service
providers to help identify victims and link them with
appropriate services. It also would assist legislative
authorities in amending national trafficking legislation to
more effectively prosecute traffickers. Proposal 2's
suggestions for combating unethical recruitment are also
worthwhile. However, the proposed work on regulations and
human rights for migrant laborers does not directly address
trafficking in persons. The training component of Proposal 3
overlaps significantly with the training component of a
USAID-funded project that is currently underway. Moreover,
Proposal 3 is nearly identical to LHRD's proposal from last
year, which is currently being considered for funding.
3. PROPOSAL 1:
a. Applicant: International Organization for Migration
b. Funding Amount: $199,996
c. Title: Counter-Trafficking in Persons in Sri Lanka:
Strengthening Prosecution and Victim Protection, Phase II
d. Duration: 1.5 years
e. Abstract: This 18-month project aims to enhance the
effectiveness of anti-trafficking activities to raise Sri
Lanka above its Tier 2 Watch List position. While the
Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) has increased anti-TiP efforts,
further action is needed, in particular to address
involuntary servitude and revictimization of victims of
trafficking (VoTs), particularly those detained for
prostitution or related charges. The return to war following
the collapse of the CeaseFire Agreement increases the
likelihood of Sri Lankans attempting to leave the country
irregularly.
While counting on the GSL to lead a multi-agency approach,
IOM will provide technical assistance to prevent labor
recruiters from enticing workers into involuntary servitude,
to make use of improved data sources, and to develop national
strategy based on policy being developed.
The project will improve the capacity of law enforcement to
prosecute trafficking crimes and to identify VoT's and link
them to appropriate services; as well as to assist
legislative authorities to amend legislation to more
effectively prosecute traffickers and protect victims. IOM
will also provide hands-on technical support to the GoSL
anti-trafficking focal point to build capacity on the job and
to ensure appropriate case follow-up.
To enhance victim protection, the project will establish a
formal GoSL-led procedure to systematically identify VoTs
among vulnerable groups, including foreigners detained for
visa overstays and women arrested for prostitution and
related charges, and to ensure that they are not punished but
are referred to appropriate authorities and services for
necessary assistance.
4. PROPOSAL 2:
a. Applicant: International Labour Organization
b. Funding Amount: $499,338
c. Title: Prevention of Trafficking In Persons Through
Improvement Management of Labour Migration
d. Duration: 3-4 years
e. Abstract: Despite the Government of Sri Lanka's efforts to
protect their migrant workers, there is a need to reinforce
these protection measures as large numbers of migrant workers
still experience violations of their labour rights in the
form of psychological and physical harassment, isolation,
non-payment of agreed wages, debt bondage to placement
agencies and involuntary servitude. Irregular, undocumented
migration for domestic work is another key area of concern to
the GSL as this renders these workers vulnerable to being
trafficked into exploitative labour including commercial sex.
This proposal stems from consultations, held with the
Ministry of Foreign Employment Promotion, Ministry of Labour
Relations and Manpower (MOLRM), the Association of employment
agencies and other concerned organizations in Sri Lanka such
as the 10M and the ILO, and has been consolidated as support
to a national response to the 2007 TIP report. A
comprehensive response spanning a 4 year period with a budget
of US$ 1.93 was developed and this proposal addresses
components within the programme which ILO is in a strong
position to support. Thus, this proposal spans a three-year
period cost at US$ 500,000 to achieve the following priority
objectives:
- to advocate for regulation of migrant domestic work
through ethical recruitment processes and impose sanctions
against trafficking and forced labour.
- to build the capacity of governments, law enforcement
officials, the judiciary and civil society organizations to
enforce human and labour rights of migrant workers particular
in domestic work.
The expected outcomes of the project are:
- a reduction in irregular recruitment practices and
undocumented migration for domestic work & an increase in the
number of prosecutions against traffickers and deceitful
labour recruiters.
- agreements with key receiving countries on enforceable
employment contracts for migrant domestic workers.
- increased organization and bargaining power of overseas
migrant workers.
5. PROPOSAL 3:
a. Applicant: Lawyers for Human Rights and Development
b. Funding Amount: $122,205
c. Title: Combating Trafficking in Persons by Strengthening
Law Enforcement, Monitoring Prosecutions, Improving Data
Collection and Legal Support to Victims
d. Duration: 2 years
e. Abstract: Though Sri Lanka is both a source and
destination for trafficking in persons (TIP) for sexual
exploitation and domestic labor, with internal and external
trafficking in men, women and children, the law enforcement
authorities do not consider it as a serious problem.
Trafficking legislation is rather new and complicated. Most
police officers have no clear idea as to trafficking in
persons and no clear understanding of the law and procedure
relating to it. TIP is a problem affecting the entire
country. Officers in all police stations require training in
TIP. They all can be reached only through a centralized
training of trainers program conducted district-wide.
Immigration, Labor and FEB officers also need this training.
It should be a comprehensive and action-oriented training,
strengthened with a comprehensive training manual enabling
trainers to identify and distinguish trafficking from other
related offences. Effectiveness of training can be measured
by monitoring investigations and prosecutions conducted by
trainees. Legal support service to victims of trafficking,
enabling them to prosecute their cases to the conclusion, is
an urgent need.
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