TIER 2 WATCH LIST INTERIM ASSESSMENT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 QUITO 002980 SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/PPC, WHA/AND, AND G/TIP E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL EC SUBJECT: TIER 2 WATCH LIST INTERIM ASSESSMENT REF: A. SECSTATE 228298 ¶B. QUITO 2595 ¶C. QUITO 2252 ¶D. QUITO 2773 ¶E. QUITO 1877 ¶F. QUITO 2861 ¶G. QUITO 2274 ¶H. QUITO 2874 ¶1. Summary. Ecuador has taken significant steps since June to combat trafficking in persons (TIP). The government increased public awareness of the problem, reached out to source and destination countries, and established a national plan. The GOE has cooperated with the International Labor Organization (ILO) to establish a center for TIP victims in Machala. The government has trained police and other employees about TIP. Congress debated the first draft of an anti-trafficking bill, and in the meantime judges have prosecuted child pornographers under existing laws. The police have stepped up raids on nightclubs and bars where minors work as prostitutes, returning numerous TIP victims to their families. Despite these steps forward, key challenges remain: passing pending legislation in a distracted Congress and better victims services. End Summary. Publicity, the MFA's Outreach, and a National Plan -------------- -------------- ¶2. Since the publication of our TIP report in June, the GOE publicized TIP, created an interagency committee to draft a national plan, and reached out to other governments. On August 18, President Gutierrez issued a presidential decree that established a national plan and an interagency committee to combat trafficking (Ref G); he told the Ambassador on October 27 that combating TIP is one of his government's highest priorities (Ref H). The decree tasked government agencies to cooperate to solve the problem and helped the government focus its efforts in a coordinated manner. Former Minister of Government Raul Baca also spoke out publicly at a police training session against TIP on September 23 (Ref B). On August 12, the Ministry of Government (MoG) placed a front-page story in Ecuador's largest newspaper highlighting the ILO study and recent law enforcement activities aimed at combating commercial sexual exploitation of minors (CSEM) (Ref C). During the week of October 4, 60 Voice of America radio stations in Ecuador aired an editorial against TIP (Ref D). In early October, the MFA met with the embassies of Peru and Spain and discussed ways to combat trafficking rings. NGOs' Contributions and Training -------------- ¶3. The GOE has cooperated with various NGOs who are actively involved in fighting TIP. The ILO will fund, at the GOE's request, a model facility for TIP victims in Machala in January 2005. Plans are underway for similar projects in Quito and Guayaquil (Ref F). In September and October, the MoG and ILO trained 250 police officers on CSEM (Ref C). In November Geneva Global began its search for local partners in its small grants program, and Child Defense International met with the municipality of Santo Domingo on November 11 to sign the agreement to begin a project to fight commercial sexual exploitation of minors (CSEM). That project included the establishment of a computerized control and monitoring system to track victims' cases and disseminate information regarding CSEM. Conferences were held in Cuenca (June 30 - July 1) by the President of the Ecuadorian Supreme Court and in Quito (October 21 - 22) by the MFA to increase awareness of the problem and encourage coordination among the GOE, NGOs and international organizations (Refs E and F). Legislation, Prosecution, and Raids -------------- ¶4. The government has introduced comprehensive anti-TIP legislation, which is pending in Congress; meanwhile the government has prosecuted the cases it can using existing legislation. On October 20, Congress debated the first draft of the anti-TIP legislation (Ref F). Congress is expected to approve the legislation in January 2005, according to the GOE and Congressional sources. The American Bar Association is currently reviewing the draft legislation to ensure it meets international standards. In a key TIP-related case, the perpetrators in the Burdet-Cedeno child pornography ring were convicted on four charges with sentences of 12 to 25 years (Refs D and F). Ecuadorian citizen and U.S. legal permanent resident Angel Mariscal was also sentenced to 100 years on 7 charges of child pornography (Ref D). However, the case of AmCit Joseph Day is no longer moving forward; we believe he may be released if no substantive charges are brought against him. ¶5. Meanwhile, the police child protection unit, DINAPEN, dramatically stepped-up raids on nightclubs and discotheques to seek TIP victims. From June 4 - August 7, the police engaged in law enforcement activities at 75 establishments and rescued minors in 25 of these locations, where prostitution is believed to occur. From August 14 - October 21, DINAPEN raided 202 nightclubs and bars and found 246 minors who are believed to have engaged in prostitution. ¶6. Comment: Ecuador has made significant progress on TIP but much more remains to be done. The resignation of Government Minister Raul Baca on November 8 was a temporary setback for TIP efforts; Baca told the Ambassador on November 10 that he sought to continue to promote anti-TIP coordination in an advisory capacity and by involving the MFA and National Council on Women in the national planning process. We will engage shortly with Baca's successor to promote continued anti-TIP progress. National Council on Women Director Rocio Rosero will also play a key role in the interagency process; we will work with her and other committee members to ensure continued progress. In sum, we believe Ecuador is on the right track and is committed at the highest levels to furthering its progress on this issue. KENNEY