SLOVAKIA PICKS UP MOMENTUM ON TIP ISSUES

UNCLAS BRATISLAVA 000360

SIPDIS


SENSITIVE

FOR EUR/NCE AND G/TIP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL SMIG KWMN LO
SUBJECT: SLOVAKIA PICKS UP MOMENTUM ON TIP ISSUES

REF: BRATISLAVA 298


1. (SBU) Summary. The Slovak government recently completed a
needs assessment analyzing current trafficking activities and
invited poloffs to discuss the findings. In a May 5 meeting,
Jana Kviecinska, the Director General of the Human Rights and
Minorities Section at the Office of the Government, informed
us that the GOS will take immediate steps to build relevant
anti-trafficking institutions. Interior Minister Vladimir
Palko and Deputy Prime Minister Pal Csaky recently agreed to
intensify activity in this area. The planned resolution will
name a national coordinator under the Ministry of Interior,
propose increasing the number of police officers working on
TIP, and appropriate additional funds to the fight against
trafficking, with an emphasis on victim services. End
Summary.

Momentum to Combat TIP Increases
--------------


2. (SBU) When Slovakia created an expert working group on
trafficking in persons at the end of March (see reftel),
momentum to implement new mechanisms to fight trafficking
increased. On May 5, Jana Kviecinska, Director General of
the Human Rights and Minorities Section at the Office of the
Government shared with poloffs recent findings from a
nation-wide needs assessment and future steps. In preparing
this report, the government surveyed several NGOs and police
officers, and referenced several countries' best practices.
The report concluded that several immediate steps could be
taken in order to strengthen existing anti-trafficking
activities. The briefing and recommendations have been
approved both by Interior Minister Vladimir Palko and Deputy
Prime Minister for Human Rights Pal Csaky.

Immediate Solutions Proposed
--------------


3. (SBU) The needs assessment with proposed recommendations
will be submitted to an upcoming government coalition meeting
for further discussion. The Human Rights section proposed
appointing a National Coordinator for Trafficking issues
within the Ministry of the Interior, from where the
government's efforts -- including coordination with the NGO
community -- will be strengthened. Kviecinska noted that
placing the position within the Ministry of the Interior, as
opposed to making it a Plenipotentiary position responsible
directly to the Prime Minister, was pragmatic because it
would ensure effective coordination, including the national
and border forces.

Long-Term Vision
--------------


4. (SBU) The report proposed some long-term solutions, such
as an increase in the number of trained police officers in
the regions of Slovakia most in need, such as Lucenec and
Michalovce in the Southeast. Kviecinska also mentioned an
increased role for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, by
earmarking funds for the repatriation of Slovak trafficking
victims and giving grants to NGOs offering reintegration. The
working group will incorporate a number of these ideas into a
national action plan, which should be prepared by year's end.


5. (SBU) While Kviecinska's office will "get the ball
rolling" by providing recommendations at an upcoming GOS
cabinet meeting, the Ministry of the Interior will create the
long-term strategy. Kviecinska hoped that, in conjunction
with the small NGO community working on the trafficking
problem, Slovakia could increase training for government and
immigration officials in repatriation and assistance to
identified victims. She said that she had been surprised to
learn that the border police are already quite supportive of
their NGO partners, and that they have even begun to allow
NGO representatives to participate and observe investigations
in some instances.

Future Cooperation
--------------


6. (SBU) Kviecinska stressed that USG support in identifying
conferences, training, and other avenues through which
experience could be gained abroad both at the professional
level as well as the Ministerial level would be greatly
appreciated. Invitations for high-ranking officials to
present Slovakia's activities and achievements in
counter-trafficking would be extremely welcome.

Comment
--------------


7. (SBU) During the meeting, Kviecinska repeatedly referred
to the new National Coordinator as "she," an apparent tip of
the hat to her preferred candidate and apparent odds-on
favorite for the job, Anna Babincova, the head of the
police's anti-trafficking unit. According to Kviecinska,
Babincova is pleased that the issue with which she has been
so active is finally getting significant financial resources
and high-level support. Kviecinska hopes that Babincova's
elevation to the new position will give her the access needed
to continue the government's newly-found momentum on this
issue.


8. (SBU) Not all of these ideas are new, and the recent needs
assessment included several recommendations from a 2002
proposal Slovakia submitted to the United Nation's Office for
Drugs and Crime Prevention. That proposal is still waiting
for funding. Nonetheless, the meeting assured poloffs that
the government is committed to moving forward with
strengthening anti-trafficking activities with domestic funds
in the absence of the promised international assistance.
THAYER


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