CHARGE AND FOREIGN SECRETARY DISCUSS TRAFFICKED

C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 003709

SIPDIS

G/TIP, INL/CTR

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/31/2015
TAGS: PHUM KCRM BG
SUBJECT: CHARGE AND FOREIGN SECRETARY DISCUSS TRAFFICKED
CAMEL JOCKEY REPATRIATION EFFORTS


Classified By: A/DCM D.C. McCullough for reason para 1.4 (d)


1. (SBU) During a July 28 meeting with Foreign Secretary
Hemayetuddin, Charge raised USG concerns over reports that
the Bangladeshi Embassy in the UAE is delaying the
repatriation of rescued Bangladeshi camel jockey trafficking
victims.


2. (C) Hemayetuddin replied that the repatriations are a
great concern for the BDG, and that he has spoken with their
Ambassador on the matter. He claimed the Ministry of Home
Affairs is slowing down the repatriation process since they
are responsible for determining the nationality of the boys.
He undertook to raise the issue again with his Ambassador.


3. (C) Salma Ali, a prominent local anti-TIP activist
involved in repatriation, confirmed to poloff that the
Bangladesh Embassy is slowing down repatriations. She said
batches of Pakistani and Sudanese boys are returning from the
UAE but not Bangladeshis. She also cited problems with
nationality verification as the cause. Moreover, "The Labor
Attache is not a Ministry of Foreign Affairs employee but a
typical BNP (political) type who is not intelligent," she
alleged. Ali says some Bangladeshi boys, however, are
scheduled to return later this week, and that she plans to
follow up personally with the Bangladeshi Ambassador.
CHAMMAS