BANGLADESH: INTERIM TIP REPORT

UNCLAS DHAKA 005654 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KCRM KWMN PHUM PREL SMIG BG SUBJECT: BANGLADESH: INTERIM TIP REPORT REF: A. STATE 201863 ¶B. DHAKA 04965 ¶1. Embassy Dhaka appreciates the opportunity to report Bangladesh's continuing progress in its anti-trafficking efforts (ref a). The information below comes largely from the International Organization for Migration (IOM),The Asia Foundation, the Home Ministry, and USAID. ¶2. Sustaining the higher level of trafficking prosecutions and convictions seen in the second half of 2004: The BDG disposed of 86 old cases in the last half of 2004, as well as 38 newly-filed cases. While the number of new cases prosecuted kept pace with what was observed in 2004, the overall convictions dropped in 2005. The conviction rate, however, for 2005 stands at just over 50%. This lower rate appears to be the result of corruption in the judicial system, and of wealthy defendants hiring better lawyers and putting on better cases than public prosecutors. ¶3. Expanding its investigative and prosecutorial efforts to target public officials complicit in trafficking: Approximately 12 officials have been charged in three anti-trafficking cases in 2005, and prosecutions are underway. While this is an increase over the previous year, it does not represent anything approaching the number of officials believed to be involved in trafficking activities. Although 192 camel jockeys were repatriated from the UAE in 2005, no one has been charged regarding their cases. ¶4. Strengthening and deploying the new (2004) police anti-TIP unit: The police have a monitoring committee in every district of Bangladesh to oversee anti-TIP cases. The committees are charged with keeping statistics on trafficking cases and making sure arresting officers and witnesses appear at trials. Along with dedicated anti-trafficking magistrate courts and a deputy attorney general to coordinate anti-trafficking prosecutions, the police anti-TIP units are a key factor in maintaining the higher number of successful cases against traffickers. ¶5. Implementing its plan to collaborate with NGO,s in training its overseas diplomats on detecting and caring for victims of trafficking: There has been one training session provided by The Asia Foundation for Foreign Ministry junior officers. The Asia Foundation and IOM plan to train mid-level and senior officers in 2006. ¶6. The most significant anti-trafficking events of the last six months involve the repatriation and reintegration of rescued camel jockeys. NGO,s and the BDG have created a small committee for each boy brought back to Bangladesh to oversee his reintegration into Bangladeshi society. As of October 1, 44 boys had rejoined their biological parents (ref b). CHAMMAS