TAIWAN ACTIVELY TACKLES TIP CHALLENGE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 TAIPEI 001751 SIPDIS STATE PASS AIT/W E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV TW ASEC TIP SUBJECT: TAIWAN ACTIVELY TACKLES TIP CHALLENGE REF: A. TAIPEI 1512 ¶B. TAIPEI 1434 ¶1. (SBU) Action request: see paragraph 10. ¶2. (SBU) Summary. Since AIT and G/TIP's November 2004 visit, Taiwan immigration authorities have demonstrated at both the Hsinchu and Ilan Detention Centers that they have adopted a comprehensive screening process for trafficking in persons (TIP) victims and are providing counseling and proper protection services to the women. Authorities are developing mechanisms to allow TIP victims to cooperate safely with prosecutors in identifying traffickers and they are also working with NGOs and legislators in the Legislative Yuan (LY) to draft a comprehensive anti-trafficking law and hold a TIP training session in June and a TIP conference in August. Taipei has asked for USG assistance in providing TIP training and support to law enforcement authorities. The government is also providing protection services to women from Southeast Asia who have been victimized by false marriages to Taiwan men. Steps taken by the Taiwan government in response to AIT requests appear to have brought Taiwan into compliance with Tier I TIP standards. AIT believes that Taiwan has demonstrated a clear, high level commitment to establishing itself as a model for the region in the field of protecting trafficking victims. End summary. Visit to Ilan Reaffirms Taiwan's TIP Policy -------------- ¶3. (SBU) AIT's visit to the Ilan Detention Center for illegal PRC immigrants on April 11 confirmed Taiwan's progress on TIP since last November. The conditions found at Ilan are identical if not better than those found at the Hsinchu facility in March (ref A). AIT found the center's environment to be clean, bright, and relaxed. As with Hsinchu, immigration authorities at Ilan have enacted a standard screening and protection system for victims. Victims have access to NGOs and social workers and are provided better care. Social activities are encouraged at Ilan and AIT witnessed a variety of entertainment options, including a performance by a well known Taiwan performer. Artwork created by the women is displayed throughout the center. AIT interviewed two women, including a minor, who smiled frequently, laughed, and appeared to have a good rapport with the facility's staff. The victims told AIT that they wanted to return home to the PRC but unfortunately had been kept waiting almost two years to be accepted back by Beijing. Screening Methods for TIP victims -------------- ¶4. (SBU) TIP victims are identified based on initial police interviews, the circumstances of the women's arrival in Taiwan, and other evidence obtained by investigators. Once the women arrive at the detention centers, a second interview is conducted with the assistance of social workers to ensure victims are properly classified. The Ministry of Interior (MOI) and National Police Agency (NPA) officials are open to advice on additional methods of identifying TIP victims in their screening process and asked AIT for assistance and training. Since the new screening process was implemented, Taiwan authorities have identified 179 women and girls as TIP victims. Taiwan classifies minors under the age of 18 as victims, regardless of circumstances. All identified victims are immediately isolated from the rest of the detainee population and housed in separate facilities with enhanced services. Victim Access to Health Care -------------- ¶5. (SBU) The NPA Immigration Bureau told AIT that both NGOs and religious social workers visit the victims at least twice a week and are available more often if there is a need. End Child Prostitution in Asia Tourism (ECPAT) is the primary Taiwan NGO working with female detainees. Religious organizations supply volunteer social workers to visit the victims. Two to three people (more if needed) from each organization visit the center on each visit. Health care professionals from a local hospital provide medical attention. These professionals visit twice a week on scheduled days and administer check-ups, well baby checks, pre-natal care, and other routine medical services. The hospital is located near the center, enabling emergency care. Cooperation in Prosecuting Traffickers -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Operating under current legislation, Taiwan authorities are establishing a task force to encourage TIP victims to cooperate with the authorities to find and incarcerate their traffickers. The NPA told AIT that the detained women are afraid and wary of the dangers in providing information to authorities. Many fear that not only could they be harmed, but their families could also be placed in jeopardy. The Taiwan government has passed a witness protection law that aims to protect the women from retaliation and encourages them to cooperate and help prosecute the traffickers. In addition, Taiwan's Executive Yuan (EY) has asked the NPA to establish a task force to examine the current screening and protection of TIP victims in order to improve TIP processing and increase victim cooperation with authorities. LY Also Working to Combat TIP -------------- ¶7. (SBU) AIT has also engaged LY member and Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) International Affairs Director Bi-khim Hsiao over the legislative and administrative steps Taiwan needs to take in order to combat the island's TIP challenges. Hsiao's office reported to AIT that it is working with Taiwan government officials and NGOs to develop TIP initiatives and draft TIP legislation. (Note: Hsiao is a leading member of the ruling DPP and enjoys direct access to Taiwan's senior leadership. End note). Hsiao staffers told AIT that they have implemented a three-point plan to address TIP. The first aspect of the plan, which has been completed, is to work with Premier Frank Hsieh's office and the MOI to improve efforts to screen victims and provide protection at the detention centers. Hsiao has persuaded the Premier to become personally involved in directing immigration authorities to combat TIP. Secondly, Hsiao's office is organizing a caucus of LY members to work with NGOs to better understand the issue of TIP and ensure a proper government response. Finally, staff members from Hsiao's office are currently drafting TIP legislation based on U.S. and UN TIP laws. The legislation will mirror successful TIP efforts from other nations, but will address Taiwan's own TIP circumstances. Government Working With NGOS -------------- ¶8. (SBU) Taipei authorities are also working with NGOs to cooperate against TIP in Taiwan. Taiwan Women's Rescue Foundation (TWRF) members briefed AIT after their visit to the U.S. to meet with various anti-trafficking entities, including U.S. Department of Justice offices and NGOs. This visit has sparked an ambitious plan in cooperation with the Taiwan government to further develop TIP programs in Taiwan. An important component, TWRF told AIT, will be training first responders. In cooperation with its partner organization, International Organization for Adolescents (IOFA),TWRF has organized the first two training sessions in June, focusing on the issues and problems of TIP, defining and identifying victims, and working with victims. ¶9. (SBU) The June training sessions will present an overview of TIP legal issues, including difficulties of prosecution and understanding organized crime elements. The target audience is police, prosecutors, judges, and attorneys. These multi-day training sessions will take place at the Central Police University and will be supported by Taiwan's Immigration Office, NPA, and MOJ, in addition to TWRF and IOFA. According to TWRF, U.S. involvement is key, as trainers from the Department of Justice, Break the Chain Campaign, Cross-Sector Solutions and IOFA have been invited to lead the training. TWRF is also organizing, in cooperation with Taiwan government officials (and assistance from AIT),experts from the U.S. and Taiwan NGOs to hold a TIP conference in August of this year. The conference will cover a spectrum of TIP issues ranging from prevention to protection. Action Request -------------- ¶10. (SBU) TRWF requests assistance from the USG to help facilitate U.S. trainer presence for these sessions and financial assistance to guarantee this endeavor is a success. The TWRF has identified trainers for these training sessions and requests G/TIP assistance in facilitating their presence. The trainers TRWF requests are Mr. Lou DeBaca (Department of Justice),Ms. Joy Zarambca (Break the Chain Campaign),Mr. Nick Sensley, (Cross-Sector Solutions),and IOFA officials. AIT will forward to G/TIP the budget proposal submitted by TWRF. Responding to False Marriages -------------- ¶11. (SBU) In addition to victims smuggled into Taiwan directly from the Mainland, Taiwan is also taking measures to address the growing number of Southeast Asian women lured to Taiwan for false marriages and then forced into prostitution (ref B). One mechanism Taiwan has instituted is to interview foreign and Chinese spouses in their home countries before arrival in Taiwan or upon their arrival to ensure the marriages are legitimate. The MOI has also established a domestic violence hotline staffed by workers who speak Vietnamese, Cambodian, Thai, Indonesian, English and Chinese. These workers have the authority to assist victims find shelters and to provide legal and financial assistance to abused foreign spouses. ¶12. (SBU) The government has also started a program to help foreign brides adjust to life in Taiwan by offering resources before and after their arrival. Brides are offered orientation classes before leaving their home countries, including language and cultural familiarization classes. Once the brides arrive in Taiwan, they are offered similar courses and other programs to assist their adjustment, such as cooking and shopping classes. The MOI has drafted a new immigration law which is designed to foster a more welcoming environment for the increasing number of foreign immigrants and to develop education programs that emphasize an inter-cultural society in Taiwan. The new policy is expected to be enacted later this year. PAAL