NGO Initiatives to Reduce Demand for Trafficked Persons

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 FRANKFURT 006687

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR G/TIP

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KCRM KWMN SMIG PGOV GM
SUBJECT: NGO Initiatives to Reduce Demand for Trafficked Persons

REF: A) FRANKFURT 3004, B) BERLIN 0692, C) STATE 89010

Sensitive but unclassified; not for Internet distribution


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Lutheran Church and other NGOs in southwestern
Germany report progress in increasing Germans' awareness of the
issue of trafficking in persons (TIP),particularly among
potential clients of prostitutes. There are indications that
more men are contacting police and NGOs to report suspected TIP
cases. Building on successful awareness-raising during World
Lutheran Day in Hannover, NGOs in the region are planning new
demand reduction initiatives including a high-profile campaign
for the 2006 Soccer World Championships in Germany -- although
they report that funding remains tight and complain that
terrorism continues to draw police resources away from TIP.
Nonetheless, law enforcement officials reiterated their
commitment to fighting TIP. END SUMMARY.


2. (U) The Consul General and U.S. law enforcement
representatives highlighted the TIP issue during recent meetings
with senior Hesse and Baden-Wuerttemberg authorities. Consulate
staff have also met recently with a number of NGO contacts.

Baden-Wuerttemberg NGOs Report Progress in Awareness Campaigns
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3. (SBU) In our meeting with NGOs in Baden-Wuerttemberg (B-W),
the Diakonisches Werk (DW) and the Women's Information Center
(Frauensinformationzentrum/FIZ) reported progress in increasing
awareness of TIP among potential clients of prostitutes (ref A).
In May, Diakonisches Werk and FIZ organized a program on TIP in
conjunction with World Lutheran Day in Hannover (the German
Protestant Church's largest annual gathering) at which an
estimated thousand attendees heard about TIP. The FIZ used the
occasion to distribute materials on TIP and is planning broader
outreach efforts (ref A). An NGO representative told a Consulate
representative that while it is difficult to measure success,
there are indications that more men are contacting police and
NGOs to report suspected TIP cases. NGOs reported funding,
however, is very tight; outreach will focus on flyers and a web
site (under construction) with limited paid advertising.
Stuttgart NGOs will take part in a nationwide TIP awareness
campaign during the 2006 soccer World Cup (see below) and plan to
approach local soccer stars for endorsements and statements to
boost awareness of TIP.


4. (SBU) Diakonisches Werk and FIZ representatives complained
that terrorism draws police attention from TIP and called for
more frequent and aggressive prosecutions in Baden-Wuerttemberg.
In some other parts of Germany, NGOs benefit from funds
confiscated during raids against organized crime. Diakonisches
Werk and FIZ would like to see that practice followed in Baden-
Wuerttemberg. The FIZ voiced concern over the growing
involvement of women in recruiting TIP victims and concern over
insufficient protection of women once they return to countries of
origin. At a meeting on August 3, B-W Interior Minister Heribert
Rech told the CG and U.S. law enforcement representatives that
the state had recently established a task force on TIP,
reaffirming the issue's importance.

Hesse: Looking for Funds and Planning for World Cup 2006
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5. (U) Consul General also reemphasized USG interest in TIP at a
recent meeting with senior Hesse law enforcement authorities in
Frankfurt. At the meeting, Hesse Interior Minister Volker
Bouffier reiterated his support in the fight against TIP.


6. (SBU) At the State of Hesse's biannual roundtable on human
trafficking (attended by a Consulate representative),NGOs
reported that while prosecutions are on the rise in Frankfurt,
the NGO "Franka" from Kassel said police in rural North Hesse
should become more aggressive in enlisting witnesses to
prosecute. At that roundtable and subsequent one-on-one
meetings, women's NGOs recognized the tight budget situation, but
said the state of Hesse should devote more resources to awareness
campaigns and victim assistance.


7. (SBU) The Frankfurt-based NGO "Women's Rights are Human
Rights" (Frauenrecht ist Menschenrecht / FIM) -- one of Germany's
leading NGOs on TIP issues -- is leading a network of a dozen
NGOs that plan to canvass Germany's twelve World Cup venues in
conjunction with the FIFA Soccer World Cup in summer 2006. With
slogans such as "Red Card against Forced Prostitution" and "Men
Bear Responsibility / Men Can Help", the campaign will include
billboards, flyers, and other advertising (in multiple languages)
to raise awareness among potential clients. FIM chairperson
Elvira Niesner praised Frankfurt police and city officials for
their cooperation. She said, however, the campaign needs
critical seed funding and FIM plans to approach World Cup sponsor
companies for support. By highlighting the issue of forced
prostitution at this high-profile event, they hope to make a
lasting impact on TIP awareness.

BODDE