Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|
02TEGUCIGALPA3435 | 2002-12-24 15:33:00 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy Tegucigalpa |
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available. |
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEGUCIGALPA 003435 |
1. Post welcomes the opportunity to submit anti-Trafficking in Persons (TIP) project proposals. After discussing reftel among the Political, Public Affairs, and Consular Sections, as well as INS and USAID, Post proposes two Honduras-specific program recommendations. Embassy is also collaborating with other regional embassies on a regional project to survey/measure the extent of TIP in Central America, to be submitted separately. Post also strongly supports a proposal previously submitted by the Department of Justice's Criminal Division's Office of Prosecutorial Development, Assistance, and Training (OPDAT) for anti-TIP training to Central American prosecutors and police. Post believes that it is essential that any regional anti-TIP programs be coordinated with the DOL-funded International Labor Organization's International Program on the Elimination of Child Labor (ILO-IPEC) project "Contribution to the Prevention and Elimination of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children in Central America, Panama, and the Dominican Republic," a three-year, approximately USD 3.8 million, project that began June 30, 2002. 2. Project I -------------------------- A.PROJECT: Public Awareness Campaign Regarding Severe Forms of Trafficking in Persons (TIP) B.ORGANIZATION: A variety of GOH agencies, NGOs, and international organizations, such as the Office of the First Lady, National Women's Institute, Institute of the Child and the Family (IHNFA), Ministry of Labor, Public Ministry, Immigration, Casa Alianza, Human Rights Commission, IOM, UNDP, and UNICEF. C.DURATION: 2 years D.OBJECTIVE: (1) To focus Honduran audiences on the existence of TIP, especially those affecting women and children; (2) to organize a forum of GOH agencies, NGOs, and international organizations (listed above) to address the problem of TIP and seek public policies to combat it. This forum would build on the already exisiting commission to combat commercial child sexual exploitation that includes many of the same organizations. E.JUSTIFICATION: Honduran authorities and the general public need to focus attention on the problem of TIP, especially those involving women and children. Many human rights organizations have not included TIP as a top priority in their organization's agenda. The media has reported incidences of TIP, but there has been no public service campaign against TIP. With a per capita GDP of USD 920 and approximately half the population of Honduras under age 16, poverty and unemployment exacerbate the number of potential TIP victims. F.PERFORMANCE MEASURES: Radio and TV campaigns; audience levels can be determined. Number of hot line calls to prevention center can be tallied. Statistics on number of victims assisted and/or criminals prosecuted. G.BUDGET BREAKOUT: 100,000 USD/year to develop and place radio and TV public service announcements (PSAs) involving sports and cultural figures and for sponsoring a forum in Honduras of interested parties. Recent studies in Honduras have found that the frequency of PSAs is the key to having an impact on society. Unfortunately, Honduran radio and TV stations do not run PSAs free of charge. Seed money (approximately USD 10,000 of the USD 100,000 total budget) to launch a national forum on TIP. H.GOH CONTRIBUTION? In-kind support. I.OTHER DONOR COUNTRIES CONTRIBUTING? none J.PROPOSED FUNDING MECHANISM: Public Affairs Section grants to the co-sponsoring institutions. K.EMBASSY POINT OF CONTACT: Derrick Olsen, Deputy Political Chief/Labor Attache, (504) 236-9320, ext. 4394, and Melissa Cooper, Public Affairs Officer, (504) 236-9320 ext. 4139. Project II -------------------------- A.PROJECT: Assistance to Victims of Trafficking B.ORGANIZATION: Governmental agencies Honduran Institute of the Child and the Family (IHNFA) or National Women's Institute, NGO Women's Studies Center (CEM-H), or UNICEF. C.DURATION: 2 years D.OBJECTIVE: Assist victims of trafficking, primarily women and children, to reinsert themselves into productive society, by providing counseling, education, and social support. E.JUSTIFICATION: Victims of trafficking may be reticent to become active members of society because of the stigma of their exploitation. Victims often lack life skills and have substance abuse problems, thus making reinsertion difficult. F.PERFORMANCE MEASURES: Number of victims served. G.BUDGET BREAKOUT: 50,000 USD/year to establish a counseling center, have NGO train IHNFA staff, provide training to clients. H.GOH CONTRIBUTION: In-kind contributions from IHNFA or National Women's Institute. I.OTHER DONOR COUNTRIES CONTRIBUTING? none J.PROPOSED FUNDING MECHANISM: Public Affairs Section grants to IHNFA or National Women's Institute. K.EMBASSY POINT OF CONTACT: Derrick Olsen, Deputy Political Chief/Labor Attache, (504) 236-9320, ext. 4394. Palmer |