KAZAKHSTAN: INL ANTI-TIP ROUND TABLE CALLS FOR SEIZURE OF

UNCLAS ASTANA 000368 SIPDIS STATE FOR INL ALTON, BUHLER, AND CARROLL; EUR/ACE; SCA/CEN FOR OMARA SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SNAR PINS PGOV PHUM KCRM KZ SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN: INL ANTI-TIP ROUND TABLE CALLS FOR SEIZURE OF TRAFFICKERS' ASSETS ¶1. Summary: Post's International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL) program, in cooperation with International Organization for Migration (IOM),conducted a round table composed of NGO representatives and mid-level government officials from throughout Kazakhstan in Astana October 13 to discuss implementation of the new anti-TIP law adopted in March 2006. The participants analyzed the impact of the new law and recommended greater GOK involvement to improve detection, investigation and prosecution of human trafficking cases, and advocated increased resources for victim assistance which would be partially funded through seizure of convicted traffickers assets. End summary. -------------- MORE GOK ACTION NECESSARY -------------- ¶2. Participants of the anti-TIP round table included representatives of state agencies responsible for anti-trafficking in persons in the Republic of Kazakhstan: Supreme Court, Office of the Procurator General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Internal Affairs, National Security Committee, Ministry of Justice, and representatives of NGOs dealing with anti-trafficking in persons. Attendees included representatives from several oblasts (regions). ¶3. As a result of the day-long discussions, the participants recommended that the GOK speed up the process of ratification of UN Convention against trans-national organized crime and the three additional protocols. This would improve Kazakhstani law enforcement cooperation with other states-participants of the Convention in the investigation and prosecution of human traffickers. ¶4. In addition, the participants recommended that the GOK open shelters in Astana, Almaty and every oblast capital of the Republic of Kazakhstan to provide care and comfort for victims of trafficking; establish a national commission on human trafficking composed of representatives of government agencies (with or without participation of NGOs and international organizations); develop educational programs for mass media; and develop practical guidance manuals on dealing with victims of human trafficking for the NGOs. (Note: Contacts in the MOJ informed post that a commission already exists, a fact apparently unknown to the MOJ representative attending the roundtable. End note.) -------------- TRAFFICKER ASSET FORFEITURE -------------- ¶5. Participants called for establishment of a national fund to be created from traffickers' confiscated property. The fund would finance reintegration and rehabilitation activities of the victims of human trafficking. -------------- NEXT STEPS -------------- ¶6. Round table participants agreed to continue collecting and analyzing information about the impact of the adopted legislation and will meet in an INL-sponsored follow-on round table in March 2007 to discuss additional recommendations. ORDWAY