PANAMA INVESTIGATORS, PROSECUTORS PUSH TIP AGENDA

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PANAMA 002589 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPARTMENT ALSO FOR WHA/PPC/MICHAEL PUCCETTI, G/TIP/RACHEL OWEN/ANTHONY ETERNO, WHA/CEN/THOMAS PIERCE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PREL SMIG PM KTIP LABOR HUMAN RIGHTSPOLMIL SUBJECT: PANAMA INVESTIGATORS, PROSECUTORS PUSH TIP AGENDA REF: A. PANAMA 2153 ¶B. PANAMA 2533 -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (SBU) Despite the continued absence of funding for the anti-TIP law enacted in March 2004 (see Reftel A) and a recent change in administration, Panama's Judicial Police (PTJ) and prosecutors have continued to push the TIP agenda. They have publicized the anti-TIP law, created a specialized section for child sexual exploitation, extended anti-TIP efforts to the provinces, and fostered inter-governmental cooperation. Institutionalizing the anti-TIP effort within the PTJ and the Prosecutor's office at the technical level has created momentum in the GOP's anti-TIP efforts. End Summary. -------------- PTJ PUBLICIZES NEW ANTI-TIP LAW -------------- ¶2. (U) On October 6, the PTJ publicized its new Sexual Exploitation Section with a launch ceremony and news conference. On the same date, the PTJ's Sex Crimes Unit Chief Ana Cajar appeared on the program Caracol to publicize the anti-TIP law and Sexual Exploitation Section. Since the anti-TIP law was passed, Chief Cajar and PTJ officials have spoken at several schools and two universities to publicize the new law and raise awareness about the problem of sexual exploitation of children. The PTJ's Public Affairs Office prepared brochures for the launch ceremony explaining Sexual Exploitation of Minors, the cases the Sexual Exploitation Section handles, and the problem of sexual predation. As funding under the new-TIP law (which has a designated tax source) becomes available, the PTJ plans to distribute the brochures at police intake rooms and in schools in cooperation with the Ministry of Education. -------------- FOCUS OF NEW SECTION -------------- ¶3. (U) The PTJ created the Sexual Exploitation Section to fulfill its obligations under its new anti-TIP law. The section serves both citizen and foreign minors in Panama who have been sexually exploited. The Sexual Exploitation Section can initiate its own investigations, conduct undercover operations, and monitor computers with court approval. The PTJ's already existing Sex Crimes Unit directs the new section, which handles cases of corruption of minors, pimping, international sex trafficking, child pornography, and sex tourism. ¶4. (U) Through September 2004, the Sexual Exploitation Section opened 15 cases with eight of those cases in September alone. One-third of the cases involved child prostitution, another third involved pimping or prostitution, and two cases involved sex trafficking. -------------- EXTENSION TO THE PROVINCES -------------- ¶5. (U) The PTJ has extended the reach of the Sexual Exploitation Section outside of Panama City by naming investigators and support personnel in provinces to coordinate the new section. Activist prosecutors in the provinces, especially the Darien, created greater TIP awareness within other ministries. By pursuing new cases, the prosecutors involved more ministries through their efforts to protect and provide services to victims. -------------- INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATION -------------- ¶6. (U) Family Court Judge President Esmeralda Arosemena de Troitino, Sex Crimes Prosecutor Maruquel Castroverde, Chief Cajar, and PTJ Director General Erick Bravo Dutary all spoke during the October 6 launch of the Sexual Exploitation Section. Judge Arosemena explained the challenges in providing assistance to victims. Prosecutor Castroverde spoke passionately about the new tools the anti-TIP law provides and encouraged witnesses to come forward. Prosecutor Castroverde stated that while the Prosecutor's Sex Crimes Office lacks resources, it will still get the job done. Chief Cajar stressed the need to investigate cases using undercover operations and her belief that sexual exploitation of minors is linked to international crime. COMMENT ¶7. (SBU) Efforts to implement and publicize the anti-TIP law throughout Panama indicate that the PTJ and Prosecutors have a strong institutionalized commitment to combat sex trafficking of minors regardless of agency resources. As will be discussed in septel on victim protection, Minister of Youth Leonor Calderon expects the Attorney General to convene the Commission created by the anti-TIP law on November 26, making additional anti-TIP resources available. The PTJ news conference represented an inexpensive way for the PTJ and the Sex Crimes Prosecutor to keep sexual exploitation on the agenda. While the Torrijos administration has recently nominated Esmeralda Arosemena to the Supreme Court in a controversial move to replace Justice Cesar Pereira (see reftel B),anti-child exploitation advocates expect her to remain committed to combating TIP. Despite the intergovernmental approach, the PTJ still faces coordination challenges in implementing the new law with the National Police, who require more anti-TIP training. MCMULLEN