President Signs TIP Edict

UNCLAS MINSK 000951

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR G/TIP, PRM, DRL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KCRM KWMN PHUM PGOV BO
SUBJECT: President Signs TIP Edict

Ref: Minsk 399


1. Summary: On August 8 President Lukashenko signed the edict `On
Preventing the Effects of TIP', which defines the status of
trafficking victims and mandates measures to provide protection
and medical care and to guarantee social security to these
victims. The edict is another important step by the GOB,
following the March decree `On Combating TIP' (reftel),in a
process aimed at preventing trafficking crimes and overcoming
severe consequences for the victims, regardless of their age or
citizenship. End summary.


2. According to the edict, a person is considered to be a TIP
victim under two concurrent conditions: the person has suffered
from crimes related to sexual or other types of exploitation
(Articles 171, 181, 182, and 187 of the Criminal Code),and in
connection to this either legal proceedings occurred in the past
or criminal prosecution is ongoing in Belarus or abroad.


3. The edict ensures victims' safety, social security and
rehabilitation care, and requires Belarusian diplomatic missions
and consular sections abroad to render the victims necessary
assistance. Social security and rehabilitation services are
granted to the victims free of charge, and include placing the
victims in temporary lodging facilities (food and beds provided),
providing free legal assistance, and arranging medical care by
state-run medical institutions, including psychological
counseling if necessary. Full-time employment assistance will
also be offered.


4. TIP victims may not be deported or otherwise held
administratively accountable for offences committed in connection
to TIP crimes against them.


5. Belarusian diplomatic missions and consular sections must
explain to Belarusian citizens abroad legislation on combating
TIP and victim protection enacted in the host country and in
Belarus, guarantee full compliance of the host country's laws in
relation to the citizens of Belarus, and ensure the return of
victims who are Belarusian citizens to their place of residence.


6. The edict mandates reimbursement by the offender/trafficker,
enforceable in a court of law, of all costs incurred by the state
in helping TIP victims. Local governments and administrative
agencies, district centers of social services, children's social
shelters, and prosecutors all have the right to demand such
reimbursement through the courts.


7. The provisions of the edict do not apply, and any protection
activities already administered will be terminated, if a TIP
victim obstructs either the preliminary investigation or the
criminal prosecution of the case.


8. Comment: The edict `On Preventing the Effects of TIP' is the
first comprehensive legislative act that specifies actual
protection of TIP victims by the government. A commendable
advantage of the edict is its application to foreign citizens who
fall victim to a TIP crime on the territory of Belarus or suffer
as a result of illegal activities of Belarusian citizens.
However, the provision on interfering with the investigation or
prosecution of TIP crimes raises concern since the edict clearly
states that any victim preventing law enforcement agencies from
investigating the crime will not receive any kind of assistance.
Moreover, it neither defines what kind of obstruction may prevent
victims from receiving support, nor the level of the required
cooperation with law enforcement agencies. The edict also does
not provide any funding for the activities it specifies.
Moreover, the lack of qualified professional staff in state-run
medical and social facilities to provide proper assistance to TIP
victims could impede the implementation of the edict.

KROL