AMBASSADOR PROVIDES GOK WITH STEPS TO IMPROVE TIP

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 004425 SIPDIS FOR G/TIP, NEA/ARPI E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/14/2015 TAGS: PREL PHUM PGOV KU TIP SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR PROVIDES GOK WITH STEPS TO IMPROVE TIP STATUS REF: KUWAIT 4279 Classified By: Ambassador Richard LeBaron for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) As a follow-up to an October 1 meeting during which Ambassador committed to providing examples of actions taken by Qatar and the UAE to permit their reclassification to the Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Tier 2 Watch List (reftel), Ambassador presented a letter outlining these steps to Foreign Minister Shaykh Dr. Mohammed Al-Salem Al-Sabah on October 15. Ambassador asked that the FM share the letter with the Minister of Social Affairs and Labor and Minister of Interior. Once again, the Ambassador emphasized that the GOK should be a model in the region, not simply strive to move up a notch in TIP rankings. The Ambassador also included with the letter another copy of the action plan previously provided to the GOK. (The text of the letter was cleared by G/TIP, NEA/ARPI and Embassies Abu Dhabi and Doha.) ¶2. (C) Begin text: Your Excellency: Following our October 1 meeting regarding President Bush's determination to maintain Kuwait's Tier 3 trafficking in persons ranking, I offered to provide you with concrete steps that the Governments of Qatar and the United Arab Emirates took to contribute to their Tier 2 Watch List reclassification. First, the Governments provided proof of trafficking-related prosecutions. Second, both enacted laws that criminalize the use of children younger than 18 years as camel jockeys. While Kuwait has a ministerial decree banning the practice, the other countries implemented laws penalizing offenders with fines and/or imprisonment. Third, both established shelters for trafficking victims, and rescued and repatriated victims to their home countries in coordination with those Governments. Fourth, both Governments outlined public awareness campaigns, scheduled to debut this fall, to educate expatriate workers about their labor rights. These steps satisfied the action plan guidelines delivered to the two Governments in June, which were similar to those presented to your Government including: commence prosecution of trafficking-related crimes, develop a mechanism to identify and protect victims, establish shelters and conduct an anti-trafficking public awareness campaign. As I have mentioned before, I believe Kuwait should not only compare itself to others in the region, but it should be a model of enlightened labor relations. I have attached a copy of the action plan previously passed to your Government. I look forward to continuing to work together on these important issues. Please be assured of my highest consideration. Sincerely, Richard LeBaron Ambassador End text. ********************************************* Visit Embassy Kuwait's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/ You can also access this site through the State Department's Classified SIPRNET website ********************************************* LEBARON