TURKEY: REQUESTED ADDITIONAL TIP INFORMATION

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 002574 SIPDIS FOR G/TIP ROBIN LERNER E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/18/2013 TAGS: KCRM PHUM KWMN ELAB SMIG ASEC KFRD PREF TU TIP IN TURKEY SUBJECT: TURKEY: REQUESTED ADDITIONAL TIP INFORMATION REF: A. A)ROBIN LERNER-CHRISTINA BOILER EMAIL 3/28 ¶B. B) ROBIN LERNER-CHRISTINA BOILER EMAIL 4/07 (U) Classified by Acting Political Counselor Nicholas Kass. Reason:1.5 (b)(d). ¶1. (C) Per reftels, additional trafficking-in-persons (TIP) information for Turkey is provided below. ¶2. (C) Below are the answers to ref (A),follow up questions from GOT report: -- Para 4. According to MFA Second Secretary Belgin Ergunes, the programs and activities referred to in this paragraph are the seminars and trainings mentioned later in the report (e.g., Panel on TIP hosted by the Directorate on the Problems and Status of Women, MOI training seminars). -- Para 8. According to the Ministry of Interior (MOI), officials from multiple MOI departments were chosen to participate in a training program for educators devised by the Bucharest organization "Fighting Against Organized Crime" and the International Center for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD). These trainers conducted three training seminars in Ankara, Istanbul, and Trabzon for a total of 75 MOI officials. The seminars discussed the following issues: (1) methods of TIP; (2) development of new legal TIP regulations/implementation of these new laws; (3) assistance to victims; (4) identification of victims; (5) new developments within law enforcement regarding TIP; (6) the role of GOT TIP task force; and (7) improved victim protection. -- According to MFA, there is as of yet no time frame for the media training. -- Para 12. MFA will provide as soon as possible. -- Para 15. According to Turkish National Police (TNP) DG Mehmet Terzioglu, GOT has instructed governorates in 20 cities to begin looking for buildings that could be renovated and used as shelters. GOT has contacted IOM regarding the possibility of running a shelter; IOM has provided a concept paper to the GOT. Terzioglu stressed that GOT was looking at possibilities for shelter funding. GOT is exploring the possibility of using EU funds for TIP purposes, including shelters. Currently, there are funds allocated within the GOT budget for transportation, food, and medical check-ups for foreigners, including TIP victims. -- Investigation and Prosecution. Three specialized units of MOI have been targeted to receive TIP training: the law and order units involved in prostitution, foreigners department, and airport and seaport (border) units. MOI hopes to continue and expand current TIP training program, but funding is difficult to find; the British Council funded the initial three training seminars in Ankara, Istanbul, and Trabzon. Protection and Assistance -- Para 23. Some victim identification training was included in the MOI training. These educators were trained by the organization "Fighting Against Organized Crime" and ICMPD (see Para 8 explanation). -- Para 29. MFA will provide as soon as possible. -- Para 32. According to MFA officials, the plan to assist victims involves: (1) the issuance of a humanitarian visa if appropriate; (2) rehabilitation; and (3) a health check-up. MFA will supply additional information as soon as possible. -- Para 35. MFA will provide as soon as possible. ¶3. (C) Below are the answers to ref (B),follow up questions to Ankara 1396. -- Para 8D. Since August 2002, four cases have been brought against traffickers under Article 201. Of these, two separate trials are underway in Ordu and Van provinces; officials are still investigating the remaining two cases. Additionally, 34 people have been apprehended under Article 201 (b). -- Para 6D. According to MFA and MOI officials, MOI has instructed governors to issue visas and residency permits to TIP victims. -- Para 6E. This information was compiled in numerous interviews with GOT officials (including prosecutors, provincial officials, and central officials),newspaper articles, NGOs (including IOM and other womens groups). -- Para 6H. Post has no information on anti-corruption efforts or any arrests/internal investigations against government officials involved in trafficking. -- Para 7C. Trabzon Governor Adil Yazar (since replaced) stated that he had worked with a local NGO women's group to help victims of trafficking by providing education on how to make and sell consumables and handicrafts; the women who benefited from the training were those whose husbands had left them for "natashas." He also told us he had worked closely with the Trabzon police on TIP issues, urging them to ensure all local police were kept well-informed of TIP-related developments in Ankara. PEARSON