JANUARY TIP UPDATE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 QUITO 000224

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

STATE FOR WHA/PPC, WHA/AND, AND G/TIP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL EC
SUBJECT: JANUARY TIP UPDATE

REF: GUAYAQUIL 107


1. (U) Summary: There have been encouraging signs from the
Congress that pending trafficking in persons (TIP)
legislation may pass by the end of February. The American
Bar Association (ABA) reviewed its suggested changes to the
bill with the Embassy and has presented them to key
congressional contacts. The GOE's inter-institutional TIP
committee has met three times in the past two weeks and hopes
to have a national plan ready for discussion on February 10.
Ecuadorian police conducted 149 raids from December 9 to
January 13 and rescued 21 minors who may be trafficking
victims. End Summary.

TIP Bill May Pass by End of February
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2. (SBU) On January 25, PolChief and PolOff met with the new
president of the Congressional Committee on Civil and
Criminal Legislation, Sandra Sandoval, and PRIAN legislative
leader Sylka Sanchez to discuss TIP. Both agreed to make TIP
legislation a priority. Sandoval said that the pending
anti-TIP legislation is in the middle of its second (and
final) markup. On January 20, five of the 35 articles in the
bill were passed before the session ended. Sandoval said she
is committed to making changes to the text suggested by
UNICEF and the ABA before it goes to a final vote, hopefully
on January 27 or from February 1 - 3. With no discernible
opposition, this bill could be law within the next month,
Sandoval predicted. President of Congress Omar Quintana told
the DCM on January 27 that the TIP legislation is at the very
top of Congress' agenda.

ABA Finished Review of Trafficking Legislation
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3. (U) As part of the G/TIP-sponsored project, the ABA
visited Quito and Guayaquil from January 17 - 24. The ABA
met with the Embassy working group and GOE officials and
hired three part-time employees to work on the project
locally. We discussed proposed changes to the Ecuadorian
anti-TIP legislation with the ABA. After taking into account
Embassy concerns, the ABA presented the information to
Congressional contacts, who were receptive to making the
modifications.

Inter-Institutional Committee Making Plans
--------------


4. (U) The GOE's inter-institutional committee held its first
meeting on January 13. Minister of Government Jaime Damerval
opened the meeting and expressed his commitment to leading
the fight against TIP. PolOffs also attended, explaining the
importance of trafficking to the U.S. government, our annual
report to Congress, and our interest in cooperating with the
GOE to combat TIP. MFA Director of Human Rights, Ambassador
Julio Prado, explained to his colleagues the impact of a
possible sanctions if sufficient action is not taken to
combat trafficking. The MFA, the National Women's Council
(CONAMU),and the Ministry of Government are unofficially
sharing leadership of the committee. Also attending the
meeting were representatives from the Attorney General's
Office, the National Institute of the Children and Families,
the police unit dedicated to protecting children (DINAPEN),
and the following ministries: Education, Labor, Public
Health, and Social Welfare.


5. (U) The ABA subsequently met with the committee on January
18 to explain its project and role in coordinating GOE, NGO,
USG, and IO's efforts to combat TIP to maximize resources and
results. The committee met again on January 24 and discussed
ideas for GOE projects to combat TIP. At the committee's
request, the ABA will return on February 10 to give a
half-day training session including a detail explanation of
the difference between trafficking and smuggling. At this
meeting, each institution will present a written report on
its efforts to combat trafficking, and the committee will
discuss a draft national plan presented to all members before
that date.

Police Conducted 149 Raids Looking for TIP Victims
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6. (U) DINAPEN continued to conduct raids on bars and
brothels. From December 9 - January 13, DINAPEN conducted
149 raids and rescued 21 minors who were possible trafficking
victims. (Reports were faxed to G/TIP on January 27.) After
discussion with DINAPEN, we are not considering boys listed
on the reports as possible victims. While there may be boys
who are trafficking victims in Ecuador, DINAPEN believe the
boys they find are engaged in drinking or soliciting
prostitutes themselves.

Comment:
--------------


7. We are encouraged by these developments. The
inter-institutional TIP committee has taken important first
steps toward drafting a national action plan, address
prosecution, prevention, and protection issues. Prospects
appears good for Congressional action to pass anti-TIP
legislation, which will give the GOE the legal tools to
target and arrest traffickers.
Kenney