DEMARCHE DELIVERED: NIGERIAN RESPONSE TO THE TIP

UNCLAS ABUJA 001518 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL SMIG KCRM KWMN NI SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: NIGERIAN RESPONSE TO THE TIP REPORT REF: STATE 85543 ¶1. Poloffs delivered the TIP demarche (reftel) to Nigeria's National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons (NAPTIP). Participants included the agency directors for legal and prosecution, counseling and rehabilitation, and public enlightenment. NAPTIP accepted the report in "good faith" and agreed that its details were largely accurate, but they took issue with the language that Nigeria had not met "minimum standards." They also stressed that meeting minimum standards should be measured against available resources and that they would continue trying to make improvements in the coming year. They claimed that a lack of resources limits their ability to act more aggresively. ¶2. The interlocutors said they cooperate with the police, but the level of cooperation they receive depends on the person in charge of each particular office. However, NAPTIP said they are receiving particularly good cooperation from Immigration and Customs authorities. ¶3. NAPTIP has adopted or is planning to adopt a number of "best practices" they believe should entitle them to Tier 1 status. They say that they are trying to be a regional leader in anti-trafficking efforts and cited cooperation with Benin as an example. They say they have also worked hard to break through a "voodoo myth" through which some victims do not cooperate with authorities because they believe a curse has been placed on them. In terms of future plans, they say they plan to establish a law enforcement forum to allow discussion of issues related to trafficking. They also plan a data center project and will work to sensititze first level responders on how best to interact with victims. ¶4. COMMENT: NAPTIP has limited resources, but they are still comparatively better funded than many other GON agencies. We have doubts about their ability to collect planned data and the utility of "forums to discuss the issues." NAPTIP and Nigeria still have much work to do to obtain Tier 1 status. Post will continue communicating with NAPTIP so that they understand the specific standards which caused them to be placed in Tier 2. END COMMENT. ANYASO