TIP IN TURKEY: FULBRIGHT SCHOLAR OUTLINES RESEARCH,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 002586 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR G/TIP, G, INL, DRL, EUR/PGI, EUR/SE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL KCRM PHUM KWMN SMIG KFRD PREF TU TIP IN TURKEY SUBJECT: TIP IN TURKEY: FULBRIGHT SCHOLAR OUTLINES RESEARCH, RECOMMENDS FURTHER FUNDING, FOCUS ON TRAINING Ref: (A) Ankara 2206; (B) Ankara 628; (C) 05 Ankara 7386 ¶1. (U) Ambassador hosted Fulbright scholar Dr. Cindy J. Smith May 5 for a lecture and discussion on trafficking in persons (TIP),attended by more than 60 government officials, international and domestic organization representatives, academics and others. Smith, from the University of Baltimore, outlined her eight months of research with the Turkish National Police (TNP) studying TIP in Turkey, and gave recommendations for ways to address the problem. She urged that programs such as those undertaken by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) continue, particularly focusing on training of police and court officials in prevention, protection and prosecution. ¶2. (U) Smith reported in her lecture that she has conducted 23 interviews and reviewed police files. Emphasizing that further research was necessary, Smith presented the following preliminary findings: -- traffickers in Turkey typically control between one and three women and are often couples; -- approximately half of the traffickers are non-Turkish women, some of whom were trafficked in the past, and who appear to have played the primary role in trafficking women from their own home countries (male traffickers were predominantly Turkish); -- it was difficult to detect a connection to organized crime, given the small numbers of victims each group ran, though some evidence of informal cooperation among traffickers existed; and -- traffickers often made the victims sign a work contract and give up their passport. ¶3. (U) Dr. Smith made four primary recommendations: (1) stop trying to estimate the numbers involving women trafficked or the money involved; (2) carry out further research into the particulars of trafficking here and elsewhere; (3) take a regional approach to the problem; and (4) conduct more training of police and court officials. She argued that, while estimates on women trafficked or money involved initially may have helped officials and the international community mobilize to deal with TIP, focus on numbers today takes away valuable time and energy from dealing with the problem. She called for further research to get a more accurate picture. While praising Turkish officials' efforts to date, she also emphasized that a regional approach to combating TIP would be useful. Most importantly, she argued for increased training of police and court officials, particularly relating to techniques to assure the prosecution of traffickers. ¶4. (U) The liveliest debate ensued from Dr. Smith's recommendation that a focus on the numbers be eliminated. TNP Director of Foreigners, Refugees and Border Points Mehmet Terzioglu, who has bristled at exaggerated IOM estimates, agreed that a focus on practical issues should now take priority. He and other TNP officials emphasized their efforts at regional cooperation, the success of the 157 hotline, and agreed that further training would be welcome and useful. Terzioglu reiterated his willingness to work with all other parties, particularly IOM. IOM and NGO representatives defended their estimates and emphasized the importance of a regional approach. IOM also made a plea for additional funding, as their victim's assistance program is in imminent danger of being closed due to lack of funds. ¶5. (U) Comment: The strong attendance by Turkish officials and lengthy debate, along with the government's inclusion of human trafficking as a terrorist crime in its draft anti- terror bill (ref A),make clear how engaged the GOT continues to be in combating trafficking in persons. Another indication of engagement is that PM Erdogan has agreed to meet with IOM head Marielle Lindstrom and to support IOM efforts to raise funds. At the same time, the Turks still require assistance to continue progress. Dr. Smith's call for further training - particularly that aimed at helping prosecute the traffickers themselves - provides more compelling evidence that programs such as IOM's should continue to receive support. Overall, this event served to focus attention on an important issue in Turkey that is usually lost in public debate on other foreign policy and domestic issues. End Comment