ECUADOR'S RAIDS AGAINST TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS

UNCLAS QUITO 002235

SIPDIS

FOR G/TIP, WHA/PPC, WHA/AND

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL EC
SUBJECT: ECUADOR'S RAIDS AGAINST TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS

REF: QUITO 2198


1. Summary. The police in Ecuador have conducted 75 raids
(compared to five required in the action plan) aimed at
eradicating trafficking in persons (TIP) and focusing on the
commercial sexual exploitation of minors. Minors were found
in 25 raids and typically were released to family members.
End Summary.


2. DINAPEN, a police unit whose works focuses on minors,
provided Post with a clear report of all law enforcement
activities conducted as part of the GOE's effort to combat
TIP. While the 60-day action plan required a minimum of five
raids, the police conducted 75 raids from June 4 to August 7,

2004. The raids were conducted periodically in 14 of 22
provinces. Four of the eight provinces in which raids were
not conducted are in eastern Ecuador with jungle terrain and
almost no population. Post's DHS representative said that,
of the establishments listed on the report that he is
familiar with, they all are prostitution houses.


3. DINAPEN encountered minors engaged in commercial sexual
exploitation in 25 of the 75 establishments. In an
additional two cases, the minors had an immigration violation
and it is not clear if they were involved in prostitution.
The police found minors in the highest percentage of raids in
the provinces of Azuay, Orellana, and Pichincha. In cases
where minors were found, often they were placed in the
custody of their parents or other relatives. In a few cases,
rescued minors were taken to a shelter, a home for juveniles,
and provincial government agencies designed to protect
children.


4. Comment. The GOE clearly made a large effort, given its
limited resources, to combat TIP through law enforcement
raids. DINAPEN conducted 15 times the number of raids
required in the action plan. Furthermore, DINAPEN conducted
some raids as early as June 4, before this year's TIP report
was published. Post will continue to follow up with DINAPEN
and request additional reports on their law enforcement
activities against TIP. End Comment.
KENNEY