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