EMBASSY BRIEFS GOC ON USG EFFORTS ON TRAFFICKING

UNCLAS BOGOTA 002555 SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/AND, WHA/PPC, G/TIP, CA/FPP E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM KWMN KJUS KFRD CO SUBJECT: EMBASSY BRIEFS GOC ON USG EFFORTS ON TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS ¶1. On March 11, Consul General, Fraud Unit Chief, and Political Officer briefed Government of Colombia (GOC) officials and representatives from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on U.S. efforts to combat trafficking in persons. This was the fourth briefing IOM has organized between Embassy officials from destination countries and the GOC. GOC participants included representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Relations, Department of Administrative Security (DAS)/Interpol, Prosecutor General's Office ("Fiscalia"),Inspector General's Office ("Procuraduria"),and the Institute for Family Welfare (ICBF). The Embassies of Spain, Italy and the Netherlands have previously participated. ¶2. GOC participants were primarily interested in consular issues, such as the types of visas and how the Embassy works with other entities of the USG and foreign embassies to combat fraud. Embassy and GOC representatives also discussed how to increase cooperation in sharing such information. Embassy officials concluded by responding to questions on the types of assistance available to trafficking victims in the United States, the "T" visa (special visa for trafficking victims),and the State Department's annual report on trafficking in persons. -------------- Comment -------------- ¶3. GOC representatives were very interested in increasing cooperation with the Embassy. Embassy officials will maintain contact and work on ways to collaborate. IOM also notified Embassy of a March 30-31 international conference they are sponsoring, in Bogota, on trafficking in persons. A representative from the Department of Health and Human Services has been invited. WOOD