Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04ANKARA2076
2004-04-09 14:23:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:  

Trafficking in Persons: HRDF Reports Recent

Tags:  PREL KCRM PHUM KWMN SMIG KFRD PREF TU TIP IN TURKEY 
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 002076 

SIPDIS


DEPARTMENT FOR G/TIP, G, INL, DRL, EUR/PGI, EUR/SE


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KCRM PHUM KWMN SMIG KFRD PREF TU TIP IN TURKEY
SUBJECT: Trafficking in Persons: HRDF Reports Recent
Developments


(1) SUMMARY: In April 9 discussions with emboff, Dr. Demet
Gural, executive director of Turkey's Human Rights
Development Foundation (HRDF),reported
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 002076

SIPDIS


DEPARTMENT FOR G/TIP, G, INL, DRL, EUR/PGI, EUR/SE


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KCRM PHUM KWMN SMIG KFRD PREF TU TIP IN TURKEY
SUBJECT: Trafficking in Persons: HRDF Reports Recent
Developments


(1) SUMMARY: In April 9 discussions with emboff, Dr. Demet
Gural, executive director of Turkey's Human Rights
Development Foundation (HRDF),reported 1) specific case
implementation of the September 2003 MOI-HRDF Assistance to
Victims of Human Trafficking protocol (para 10),2)
confirmed HRDF access to police detention centers, and 3)
ongoing law enforcement training as evidence the GOT is
cooperating with HRDF to assist victims of human
trafficking. Gural noted that, despite the momentum,
funding shortages severely limit HRDF effectiveness. END
SUMMARY.




--------------
PROTOCOL IMPLEMENTED, VICTIMS REPATRIATED
--------------


(2) Citing TIP action in Istanbul, HRDF Executive Director
Dr. Demet Gural told emboff that police are implementing
terms of the September 2003 human trafficking protocol
signed by HRDF and the MOI General Directorate of Security.
According to Gural, two Moldavian women were taken into
custody on April 7 in Yalova and Silivri. Istanbul police,
she said, screened the two women, determined they were
victims of trafficking, and, in the absence of shelter
facilities, transported them to HRDF's office for further
evaluation. Police held one woman in an Istanbul detention
center (HRDF was permitted to visit her). Police provided
the second woman with a free-of-charge hotel room while HRDF
coordinated with the International Organization for
Migration to repatriate the victims.


(3) Regina Boucault, IOM Chief of Mission in Turkey, noted
MOI officials immediately granted IOM staff access to secure
areas of Istanbul's Ataturk Airport to escort the victims to
their flights. Following standard IOM repatriation
procedures, IOM Turkey notified IOM Moldova. Moldova
confirmed the victims' arrival last night, April 8, 2004.




-------------- --
MOI GUARANTEES HRDF ACCESS TO DETENTION CENTERS

-------------- --


(4) In October 2003, Istanbul Police invited Dr. Gural and
other representatives from HRDF to tour police detention
facilities. At that time, Gural asserts, police told her
"HRDF can visit this center at any time." Gural, however,
finds it more convenient for police to bring potential
victims to her office.


(5) Gural also noted that, in previous repatriation cases
in Antalya and Kusadasi, police officials invited HRDF staff
to visit women in their custody. According to Gural however,
"due to lack of funds, we could not visit these women".




--------------
NEW INITIATIVES
--------------


(6) HRDF, Gural says, is actively pursuing two major
initiatives: 1) donors and development funds to establish a
shelter for victims of trafficking, and 2) a framework for
social services to trafficking victims. Because funds are
unavailable, HRDF provides these services on a case-by-case
basis when staff is available at its already-established
refugee/illegal immigrant services office in Istanbul.


(7) HRDF, according to Gural, is also emphasizing the
importance of strengthening international NGO networks. A
proposal submitted to the European Commission in January
2004 would provide HRDF funding for networking activities.
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in Bulgaria provided some
support to HRDF to improve the NGO networking between
Bulgarian and Turkish NGOs.


--------------
TRAINING PAYS OFF
--------------


(8) According to Gural, beginning January 2004, HRDF
initiated several new training programs for police officers
assigned to local Foreigners and Public Order departments.
Gural noted that the European Commission and British Embassy
provided funds, with technical assistance provided by IOM.
Officers in Ankara, Izmir, Erzurum, Antalya and Samsun have
already participated. Local Chambers of Commerce provide
free space and catering for the three-day trainings in some
cities.


(9) Gural noted HRDF has trained eighty MOJ officials in
human trafficking issues. Forty were trained in January

2004. Programs focus on differences in International Legal
Definitions of TIP Crimes and Migrant Smuggling; Human
Trafficking Causes, Actors, Mechanisms, and Consequences;
Violation of Human Rights; IOM Activities in Counter
Trafficking; Case Studies; Identification of Trafficked
Victims; Treatment of Traffic Victims; TIP Conditions in
Turkey; Best Practices for Treatment of Victims; Treatment
of Victims as Witnesses; Investigation Methods and
Techniques; and Intelligence on Trafficking.


--------------
TEXT OF PROTOCOL
--------------


(10) Signed on September 3, 2003, the MOI-HRDF Assistance to
Victims of Human Trafficking protocol enumerates the
following goals. Begin Text:


HRDF RESPONSIBILITIES



1. To establish a network among non-governmental
organizations in Turkey and regional countries affected by
human trafficking;



2. To provide training for government officers to refresh
and consolidate on the recent amendments of Turkish Penal
Code and the standards of international legislations on
human trafficking;



3. To advocate for the amendments in Turkish Penal Code
required by the standards set by the international
legislations;



4. To execute activities in order to strengthen the
capacity of Turkish NGOs for the promotion of human rights
in Turkey including the rights of trafficked persons and sex
workers;



5. To establish a counseling center which will provide
psychological, health and legal services for trafficked
victims;





6. To provide a shelter for the victims, within the
framework of the procedures and fundamentals set by the
Ministry of Interior, concerning temporary residence permit
and staying in Turkey;



7. To provide a shelter for human trafficking victims;





8. To develop and distribute information, education and
communication materials to inform the public, related
institutions and the victims about human trafficking;



9. To evaluate the demands of collaboration and support of
international non-governmental organizations working in this
field, such as the International Office of Migration (IOM)
and to inform the said organizations about the activities
and present implementations of Turkey in this field.




MINISTRY OF INTERIOR RESPONSIBILITIES:



1. To support the HRDF for the national and international
efforts detailed below and future necessities about
combating human trafficking in Turkey and in the region;



2. To inform the HRDF when a victim of human trafficking
is arrested or during his/her investigation, trial, house
arrest or before s/he is deported and to facilitate
interview process of the HRDF representatives with the
victims. To assist the mentioned victims to take advantag
of the health and legal services that will be provided by
HRDF;



3. To provide the victims of human trafficking to take
utmost advantage of the counselling and shelter units,
established by HRDF;



4. To provide collaboration of the units, established by
HRDF, with the related non-governmental organizations in t
countries of the victims of human trafficking before they
are deported. To provide the security of human trafficking
victims' transportation operations that will be supported
the funds received;



5. To provide the security of counselling and shelter
units established by HRDF and the staff working in the
programme;



6. To evaluate the denunciations on human trafficking
issued from the regional countries as an outcome of the
network established by HRDF; to carry out the denunciation
by the mediation of the units, established by HRDF;



7. To provide trainers for the trainings about Turkish and
international laws and regulations on human trafficking th
will be organized by HRDF experts and also to enhance the
participation of the police officers, who are in need of
these trainings;



8. To participate in the national and international
monitoring and evaluation activities of the programme that
will be developed;



9. To support the communication of the staff working in
the units established by HRDF with the police officers
working in the departments of Public Security and
Foreigners, and to facilitate the access of the staff in
these departments. END TEXT.


EDELMAN