ISTANBUL CONFERENCE SHOWCASES INCREASED POLICE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ISTANBUL 000598

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TU BO MD KCRM PGOV KJUS
SUBJECT: ISTANBUL CONFERENCE SHOWCASES INCREASED POLICE
SERIOUSNESS ON TRAFFICKING



1. (U) Summary: Police chiefs and high-level officers from
throughout Turkey participated in a three-day workshop in
Istanbul from April 12-14 on combating trafficking in
persons. In Turkey,s case, most victims are women lured
from eastern European countries by the promise of work, and
then forced into sexual slavery. Presentations by Europol,
Scotland Yard, and other law enforcement shared best
practices with the officers. The workshop, organized by the
International Organization for Migration (IOM) with
sponsorship from the Swedish Consulate in Istanbul, showcased
Turkey,s seriousness in tackling this growing crime-- 550
victims were identified in the last two years. Though
Turkish police officers still need additional training and
resources to deal with trafficking, the Europol
representative told us that Turkey has made a quantum
leap, in the last two years. End Summary.

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Turkish National Legislation and Prosecution
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2. (U) Faruk Kurtoglu, Istanbul prosecutor and Ministry of
Justice representative, began the program by outlining
changes in Turkish law that have been made to combat
trafficking. For example, a crime was previously defined as
a violation of the law; after reforms in 2005, unfair,
acts are also criminalized: Article 80 of the Turkish penal
code now categorizes exploitation, threats, coercion or
forced labor as punishable. This is a direct response to the
growing human trafficking problem. He also cited the 2003
legal reform, whereby a foreigner must be married to a Turk
for three years before qualifying for a Turkish passport as
another measure that will help combat trafficking by making
it more difficult to smuggle people into the country.

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Prosecution Rates Low
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3. (SBU) Prosecution of this crime, however, remains low, as
prosecutors and judges are not yet aware of the 2005
legislative reforms. Participants predicted that planned
training in the coming months should increase this awareness
and thereby also increase prosecution rates. Traffickers are
suspected to be Turks acting with Eastern European
accomplices. A recent trend of concern is that traffickers
are increasingly women who had themselves been trafficked.
Two policemen are currently on trial for trafficking in
persons, but it is not clear to what degree corrupt officials
are part of the problem.

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International Best Practices
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4. (U) Steve Harvey, head of Europol,s trafficking persons
department, provided technical training throughout the
workshop. He explained the EU,s approach to treating
victims of trafficking and prosecuting traffickers. The
Europol framework places women,s welfare above prosecuting
criminals at any cost, arguing that the state should not take
action unless victims desire it. Above all, he expressed the
need to treat victims humanely given that this crime by its
very nature violates human rights. In discussing how to
treat a victim, Harvey told the group to "speak to her as you
would want someone to speak to your wife or daughter."


5. (U) The leader of a six-member Swedish Parliamentarian
delegation echoed this humanist approach. In Sweden,
trafficking in persons and prostitution are on the decline
following a concerted effort to heighten penalties.
Traffickers therefore no longer find Sweden an easy
environment, and have chosen to move elsewhere. The Member
of Parliament contrasted this approach with that of Germany
and the Netherlands, where legalized prostitution has
produced concomitant increase in prostitution's incidence.
She called for greater sanctions against traffickers, which
produced a discussion by the audience of the merits of the
Swedish approach.

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Audience Participation
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6. (SBU) The vast majority of 35 police participants were
attentive and focused throughout the workshop, asking
practical questions about how they could better handle the
situations they face on a day-to-day basis. In one instance,
a participant suggested that outlawing prostitution simply
pushed it underground, making it more dangerous for health
and safety, and harder to combat. Another suggested that
Turkey is more of a transit country and not as much of a
destination country for trafficking in persons as other
countries in the region-- according to this view, Turkey is
therefore already devoting sufficient resources to combating
this type of crime, and other issues should have a higher
priority.


7. (SBU) Participants also questioned a Ministry of Foreign
Affairs presenter about whether the MFA was in fact taking
steps to help the police force face this challenge. They
felt that the MFA expected them to fight this crime but did
not help cover the costs of shelters, medical exams, etc. to
properly assist rescued women. The MFA representative
responded that the GOT had sent a letter to public hospitals
stating hospitals must provide medical examinations for free,
and assured the audience she would report back to her
superiors that there was a glitch in the implementation.

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Comment
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8. (SBU) The high-level attendance-- both in terms of number
of participants and expertise of speakers-- showcases the
Government of Turkey,s recognition of the seriousness of the
problem and the need to address it effectively. Police
chiefs and officers in the room were attentive and serious,
conveying a professionalism and commitment. While welcoming
input on how Europe addresses the problem, they were also
willing to voice their own concerns, experience, and
challenges. Such a free exchange of points of view can only
strengthen Turkish officials, ability to combat trafficking
and assist its victims. Of course, the proof of the pudding
will be GOT seriousness when it comes to prosecuting actual
cases. End Comment.
JONES