Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|
04GUATEMALA798 | 2004-03-31 22:21:00 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy Guatemala |
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 GUATEMALA 000798 |
1. (SBU) Summary: The Berger Government has recently taken significant steps to combat trafficking in persons. During President Fox's recent visit to Guatemala, Guatemalan authorities signed an MOU on anti-TIP cooperation with Mexico. The GOG will deposit its articles of ratification of the UN Protocol to Combat TIP in New York on April 1, and President Berger has backed legislative reforms to increase sanctions for TIP and related crimes. Since shortly after staffing a new anti-TIP unit in the Public Ministry, the GOG has conducted regular sweeps of bars and brothels seeking TIP victims and traffickers. Casa Alianza has been accompanying law enforcement authorities on these operations. Approximately 400 GOG law enforcement officials received DHS anti-TIP training during the week of March 22. We remain convinced that the GOG is making significant efforts to combat TIP. End Summary. Mexico anti-TIP MOU -------------------------- 2. (SBU) During the visit by Mexican President Vincente Fox to Guatemala on March 23, the Guatemalan and Mexican Foreign Ministers signed an MOU to protect female and minor TIP victims in both countries. The MOU promotes actions leading to cooperation in the protection of women and minor victims of trafficking in persons in the border area between Guatemala and Mexico. Both nations pledge to respect the human rights of victims while they are in custody, and promise not to incarcerate victims of TIP. They also agree to form a joint Technical Commission comprised of, from Mexico: the General Directorate of Protection and Consular Affairs of the Foreign Relations Secretariat, the Coordinator of International and Inter-institutional Relations of the Immigration National Institute of the Secretariat of Interior and the Attorney General's Office; and from Guatemala: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Government, the Attorney General's Office and the General Directorate of Immigration. 3. (SBU) The Technical Commission is charged with: -- developing an action plan to train public officials in both countries to prevent and support female and minor victims of TIP, -- produce a study about TIP and the areas in Mexico and Guatemala where trafficking occurs, -- establish mechanisms for the voluntary return of women and minors to reunite them with their families, -- exchange information regarding female and underage victims of TIP, and, -- develop information and prevention campaigns in the areas where trafficking occurs. 4. (SBU) The Technical Commission may accept the support of international, civilian and or academic organizations. The MOU also provides for joint enforcement activities in compliance with existing regulations of the host country. (Note: Because of the sovereignty issues this raises, the agreement will take effect only after the GOG notifies the Mexican Embassy that the agreement meets requirements of domestic law. End Note.) The agreement will last three years and can be extended with approval of both parties. Legislative Initiatives -------------------------- 5. (SBU) MFA Vice Minister for Human Rights and Migration Marta Altolaguirre told the Ambassador on March 26 that she will personally deposit Guatemala's articles of ratification of the UN Protocol (to the Palermo Convention Against Organized Crime) to Combat TIP at the UN on April 1, before visiting Washington to meet with Department officials on April 2. Altolaguirre confirmed that President Berger supports the ILO's proposed reforms to the Guatemalan criminal code to increase penalties for TIP and to add new TIP-related crimes. Recent Law Enforcement Actions -------------------------- 6. (SBU) Sandra Zayas, the GOG Prosecutor for Crimes Against Women, told PolOff that a raid on six brothels in Mazatenango, Suchitepequez province (located one province over from the Mexican border and a major transit center for migrants) resulted in the rescue of a minor engaged in prostitution on March 26. Zayas told us that the minor has provided information which will be used to arrest a trafficker, who was not present in the brothel during the operation. 7. (SBU) The Mazatenango raid was the latest in a series of sweeps of bar/brothels cited in a report by Casa Alianza where minors in prostitution are present. Four minors have been rescued from prostitution in recent weeks (several others were discovered and rescued prior to the establishment of the unit) and five traffickers are imprisoned awaiting trial on TIP-related charges (another is free on bail). Another such raid is planned for April 2. 8. (SBU) The raids are planned by Zayas, and involve a task force including police and immigration officials. Zayas has also invited Casa Alianza to accompany the raids to provide immediate assistance to victims. Asked why so few victims had been found so far, Casa Alianza director Arturo Echeverria told PolOff on March 25 that the information in the report was collected 5-10 months ago, and shifting patterns of prostitution could partially (but not fully) account for poor results. He did not speculate further, and confirmed that Zayas was very careful not to divulge the location of the raids in advance. Anti-TIP Training -------------------------- 9. (U) DHS anti-TIP training was well-attended by GOG law enforcement officials (principally from the Public Ministry, National Civilian Police, judiciary, and Immigration Directorate) during the week of March 22. Over 400 people attended 4-hour sessions to sensitize them to the differences of TIP from alien smuggling, how to recognize victims, the need to protect victims and use their testimony to convict traffickers, and to prevent TIP by educating the public about the crime. Comment -------------------------- 10. (SBU) We are encouraged by the Berger Government's strong signals of engagement on this issue on a variety of fronts. While initial law enforcement efforts have produced limited results, we believe the GOG's efforts are sincere and will in time yield more significant results. It is very encouraging to us that the GOG has requested Casa Alianza participation in its law enforcement efforts, which should help target those efforts where victims can be easily found. The upcoming visit by Vice Foreign Minister Marta Altolaguirre on April 2 and the April 30 Berger visit to Washington provide opportunities to encourage further efforts and collaboration to combat TIP. HAMILTON |