PARAGUAY: TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS ASSESSMENT REPORT

UNCLAS ASUNCION 000589

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

WHA FOR MICHAEL PUCCETTI
G/TIP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KWMN SMIG PA
SUBJECT: PARAGUAY: TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS ASSESSMENT REPORT
AND RECOMMENDATIONS


1. (U) This is an action request; see para 10.


2. (U) SUMMARY: The USD 155K that post received in FY-2004
has played an important role in helping Paraguay combat its
TIP problem, particularly in the areas of prevention and
protection. However, post anticipates these funds running
out by the end of 2006. Working closely with U.S. experts
and GOP officials, we have identified concrete requirements
to strengthen Paraguay's ability to combat trafficking in the
coming year. As part of a bilateral assistance project
between the Embassy of the United States in Asuncion and the
Government of Paraguay (GOP),the USG conducted a study of
Paraguay,s system of immigration and border controls between
July 23 through August 5, 2005, with a view to offering
recommendations to the GOP that would assist it in combating
the problem of trafficking in persons (TIP) by improving
border controls. A team of Department of Homeland Security
(DHS) officials led the assessment. The DHS Team included
agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and
Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Post requests an
allocation of USD 310,000 in FY-2006 INL funds consistent
with the DHS Team's recommendations and consultation with GOP
officials to continue assisting the GOP in combating TIP. End
Summary.

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The Assessment
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3. (U) Paraguay is a source country for trafficked women and
children, many of whom are smuggled across Paraguay's borders
into the neighboring countries of Brazil and Argentina.
Paraguay's Department of Immigration is aware of the TIP
problem and acknowledges the GOP must improve its border
controls in order to prevent traffickers from transporting
victims across its borders.


4. (U) During the assessment, the team spoke with several
Ministry and Secretariat officials in Asuncion, including the
Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Customs, and Interior
(Immigration Department),the Secretariats of Women,
Repatriations, and Children and Adolescents. They also spoke
to the Inter-American Development Bank and non-governmental
organizations (NGOs) such as Grupo Luna Nueva, a local
recovery center for victims. The team visited several land
border inspection stations including Ciudad del Este,
Encarnacion, Pedro Juan Caballero and Puerto Falcon. They
also inspected the Silvio Pettirossi International Airport in
Asuncion.

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More Money, Fewer Problems
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5. (U) The assessment report has been reviewed by all the
stakeholders within AMEmbassy Asuncion and was translated
into Spanish and provided to our GOP counterparts. The next
phase of this project is to take action on the
recommendations made by the Team.


6. (U) In order to build on advances made by the GOP, Post
has identified several areas that will assist the GOP better
in its efforts to combat TIP. Our focus in the coming year
is to expand training for officials, investigators,
prosecutors and judges; assist the GOP to expand
rehabilitation center services in government run shelters;
enhance border controls; and establish and maintain a victim
database to provide better services to the victims of TIP and
prosecute perpetrators. However, the GOP will require
outside funds to meet essential program requirements.

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Prevention
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7.(U) Prevention represents the weakest link in GOP efforts
to combat trafficking. The GOP has taken some positive steps
that we have supported - information pamphlets and radio
spots along with a hotline -- but funding and prevention
programs remain weak. Post recommends continued funding
support for the Ministry of Womens Affairs outreach programs
to prevent trafficking as well as the following:

-- The DHS team recommends holding an annual border control
symposium in Asuncion with the participation of all border
control agencies. A symposium will provide the opportunity
for agency administrators to clearly communicate the mission
of the individual border control agencies, establish a
national strategy as well as coordinate a unified border
enforcement effort. In addition, this symposium would
address the concerns heard by the DHS officers of many border
control front line officials regarding a concern relating to
a "disconnect" between Asuncion and frontline border crossing
offices. Post would fund the first border patrol symposium.

-- The DHS team recommends that a supervisory level U.S.
Customs and Border Protection Officer be detailed to Paraguay
for a 30-60 day period to provide advisory assistance at the
various ports of entry to assist Paraguayan officials in
implementing administrative and procedural changes. The Team
feels that Paraguayan border control officials are capable of
performing their duties but lack the proper training and
guidance. A short-term advisor could assist in teaching them
to conduct interviews, searches, observation techniques, etc.

-- The DHS team recommends that selected Paraguayan officials
with direct supervisory responsibilities at Paraguayan ports
of entry be given the opportunity to travel to the U.S. and
observe first-hand U.S. border management techniques and
functions at specific U.S. ports of entry.

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Protection
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8. (U) The GOP has made some strides in providing support and
protection to victims but resources are few. The Ministry of
Repatriations seeks corporate funds to repatriate victims
because the GOP cannot support adequately the ministries
operations. In addition, the Ministry of Women's Affairs has
ambitious plans to establish a shelter to provide victims a
place to reside while in Asuncion once they are repatriated.
Again, the lack of GOP resources has prevented the ministry
from establishing a 50 bed facility. At this time, a
Catholic monastry is providing beds to the Ministry of
Women's Affairs. Usually the victims remain in Asuncion for
approximately 2 or 3 months while they are receiving legal,
medical, psychological and rehabilitative services. Once the
women leave Asuncion, there is no follow-up or support
program to assist victims in returning to their home town.
Last year, post provided funds to assist the Women's Ministry
in creating a rehabilitation center that provides trafficked
women with services including psychological and job
counseling. Post recommends identifying funds to support the
establishment of a more permanent shelter to protect victims
and assist them in making the transition to stability as well
as efforts to expand GOP support for victims in the interior
of the country.