BURMA'S SCHIZOPHRENIC TIPS POLICY

C O N F I D E N T I A L RANGOON 001301 SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/BCLTV, DRL, G/TIP STATE PASS LABOR FOR ILAB COMMERCE FOR ITA JEAN KELLY TREASURY FOR OASIA JEFF NEIL USPACOM FOR FPA E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/29/2014 TAGS: PHUM ELAB PGOV BM SUBJECT: BURMA'S SCHIZOPHRENIC TIPS POLICY REF: A. RANGOON 1224 AND PREVIOUS ¶B. RANGOON 1132 AND PREVIOUS Classified By: COM Carmen Martinez for Reasons 1.4 (B,D) ¶1. (C) Summary: Though the Burmese government is taking steps to combat transnational trafficking in persons, it's becoming increasingly evident that the GOB is approaching domestic trafficking -- including forced labor -- from a different, less vigilant, angle. End summary. Anti-TIPs Unit, Not Anti-Forced Labor Unit ¶2. (C) Police Brigadier General Wynn Myaing, Burma's top cop for anti-trafficking and transnational crimes, told us on September 27th that the Labor Ministry, not the Home Affairs Ministry, would retain jurisdiction over violations of Burma's forced labor laws. Likewise he noted that domestic prostitution would remain under the jurisdiction of the regular police force, not the anti-trafficking unit. He did claim, though, that the newly formed specialized unit would get involved if there were suspicions of trafficking involved in any prostitution cases. It is unclear, though, who would make this judgment. ¶3. (C) This refinement of the BG's previous comments to us (ref B) is further evidence of a growing divergence in the GOB's policies toward the interlocked issues of forced labor and other types of trafficking in persons. While there has been significant progress in the GOB's attitude toward transnational trafficking, UNHCR and ILO officials in Rangoon tell us that in recent months there has been a sharp uptick in forced labor incidents -- especially in Rakhine State (ref A). Furthermore, as the ILO has repeatedly noted, the GOB continues to refuse to enforce its own laws on forced labor. Comment: Split Personalities ¶4. (C) Though the BG insisted that the GOB would adhere to the UN definition of trafficking and that his officers would be vigilant against all trafficking cases (domestic or transnational),there is no disputing that initial circumstantial evidence is pointing toward an emphasis on those trafficked across international borders. Beside the issue of jurisdiction for forced labor and prostitution, the new anti-trafficking unit will come under the command of a new Department of Transnational Crime at the Ministry of Home Affairs. Likewise, the new unit will have its tactical commands along the Chinese and Thai borders, with only logistical operations in Rangoon and Mandalay (both major sources and destinations for trafficked persons). End comment. Martinez