UKRAINE: INL-Funded TIP Training Seminar

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KIEV 000406 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/UMB, G/TIP, INL/AEE, AND EUR/ACE JUSTICE FOR OIA, AFMLS, NDDS AND OPDAT (LEHMANN) MOSCOW FOR RLA AND DHS FRANKFURT FOR DHS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PGOV KCRM SMIG KFRD PREF ELAB KWMN UP SUBJECT: UKRAINE: INL-Funded TIP Training Seminar Highlights Investigation and Prosecution Techniques REF: KIEV 168 ¶1. Summary: On January 23-25, Embassy Kiev and the Prosecutors' Academy of Ukraine co-sponsored a first ever training seminar on trafficking in persons (TIP) that brought more than 70 members of the Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office (PGO),both prosecutors and investigators, as well as local NGO representatives and international experts together to discuss Ukraine's recent legislative amendments (reftel) in the fight against TIP, as well as best practices in preventing, investigating and prosecuting TIP cases. Officials from the PGO and the Ministry of Interior (MOI) actively participated with NGOs in the three-day training seminar, which was organized by Post's DOJ Resident Legal Advisor (RLA) using INL funds. End Summary. Anti-TIP Training for Prosecutors Seminar in Kiev -------------- -------------- ¶2. Embassy Kiev sponsored a January 23-25 anti-TIP training seminar for prosecutors at the Prosecutors' Training Academy in Kiev. This is the first in a series of planned TIP-related training events for prosecutors. The goal of this training is to develop a cadre of prosecutors who will, in turn, train other prosecutors in investigation and prosecution techniques for TIP cases. The goal is to increase the number of successful TIP investigations and prosecutions. Materials and Presentations -------------- ¶3. The conference assembled an experienced American and Ukrainian faculty to teach prosecutors. Embassy Moscow Resident Legal Advisor Terry Kinney, a federal prosecutor from Chicago, lectured on lessons learned from the American experience with trafficking and discussed American anti-TIP legislation including the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA) of 2003. Victor Vartanian, Special Agent, United States Department of Homeland Security, lectured on the use of Interpol in a trafficking case and human smuggling issues. Kinney and Vartanian also presented a segment on how to conduct a TIP investigation and led a round table discussion of best practices. As a practical exercise, Kinney and Vartanian presented the attendees with a factual scenario and then discussed what investigation steps should be accomplished. ¶4. The Deputy Chief of the TIP unit at the Ministry of Interior and Judge Strekalov of the Supreme Court of Ukraine presented the Ukrainian TIP experience. The judge discussed investigation and charging problems in TIP cases as well as the recent amendment to the TIP statute. In addition, case study presentations were made by prosecutors from around the country. ¶5. At a final session, the attendees were divided into two groups and presented a factual scenario. Each group discussed the facts and then chose both a prosecutor and an investigator to make an oral presentation analyzing the case. This session received the most favorable ratings of all the presentations. Participation by Attendees -------------- ¶6. More than 70 individuals attended the three-day seminar and actively participated in the class, including prosecutors in charge of oversight of cases as well as prosecutors who act as investigators. The course provided a hands-on training experience as well as exposure to international investigation techniques. The review of the Ukrainian TIP experience (both legislative and practical) by research fellows from the Prosecutors' Academy, Judge Strekalov and regional prosecutors all in set the stage for productive discussions. Post-Seminar Analysis and Comments -------------- ¶7. The Prosecutors' Training Academy has cooperated closely with Embassy Kiev to develop and coordinate this initial training session. A full evaluation and analysis is planned, and then similar training is planned for locations throughout Ukraine. The creation in 2005 of a Department for Combating TIP in the Ministry of Interior has resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of TIP cases being forwarded to the Prosecutor's Office. The increasing number of cases highlights the need for further training and identification of Ukrainian prosecutors who can provide this training. The improvement of prosecutors' skills in this new field of law for Ukraine should lead to an increased number of successful prosecutions. To that end, Embassy Kiev's RLA is also reviewing TIP training for prosecutors to be conducted by the International Organization for Migration and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, to ensure they do not conflict with the RLA program and to assess whether they offer a value-added product. It is clear that significant additional training and anti-TIP work is necessary with the Prosecutor's Office. HERBST Page 1 of 3