PANAMA: ADDITIONAL PROJECT FOR FY 2006

UNCLAS PANAMA 000340 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CEN PRM SONIA DENTZEL G/TIP ANTHONY ETERNO AMY O'NEILL RICHARD WHA/PPC MIKE PUCCETTI E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KWMN KCRM PHUM ASEC ELAB SMIG SUBJECT: PANAMA: ADDITIONAL PROJECT FOR FY 2006 SOLICITATION FOR ESF ANTI-TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS PROJECT REF: A. 05 STATE 221418 ¶B. 06 PANAMA 00295 -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (U) Panama is pleased to submit an FY 2006 anti-TIP project proposal additional to that contained in reftel B. The proposal comes from the Panamanian Attorney General's Office (PGR) and asks for $125,000 to purchase computer systems, faxes, and digital cameras for the 11 Prosecuting Attorneys in Panama responsible for TIP cases. The GOP would use part of the grant for classes and training on the new computer systems. The proposal would also fund instructional classes to Panamanian police, judges, social workers, and prosecuting attorneys on how to apply Panama's anti-TIP law. Although the Government of Panama (GOP) is committed to combating TIP, funding for projects is very limited. Lack of modern computer equipment for processing cases and sharing information is a problem for Panamanian prosecutors. Also, the PGR needs to provide more TIP training for GOP personnel, especially those located in rural areas. Department funding will encourage Panama to continue its anti-TIP efforts. End summary. ¶2. (U) The PGR has requested ESF funding for the following project: ¶A. Title of Project: Computer Modernization and Legal Training Program for TIP Prosecuting Attorneys in Panama ¶B. Name of Recipient Organization: Attorney General of Panama ¶C. Duration of Project: 12 months ¶D. Description of Project (including objectives, activities and sustainability,) The overall objective of this project is to assist TIP prosecuting attorneys in Panama by purchasing updated computer systems and providing training on their use. The second part of this project would provide anti-TIP training for GOP officials. Objectives: Panama currently has 11 prosecuting attorneys for TIP throughout the country. Many of these offices, especially those in rural areas, lack modern office equipment. The purchase of two computers with internet access, two printers, one fax, and one digital camera for each of the 11 prosecutors would allow prosecutors to document and process TIP cases quicker. Faxes and email connections provided by internet capable computers would also allow information sharing and quicker communications between prosecutors and the Attorney General's office. The GOP will also provide training on the use of the new computer equipment in the offices that receive it. Digital cameras would enable those involved in anti-TIP efforts to share photographs of TIP victims and suspects. Finally, Panama has a continuos need to train police, prosecutors, and social workers who work with TIP victims and have legal responsibility for these cases. Activities: Purchase of computer equipment and training on its use for prosecuting attorneys. Conduct anti-TIP training sessions for GOP officials to develop a basic understanding of investigations and legal proceedings. Sustainability: In 2005, Panama more than doubled its arrests for sexual trafficking. Panama's Attorney General has taken the lead on addressing TIP issues. This project will allow Panama's Attorney General to train more government officials on TIP and allow these officials to do their jobs more efficiently. ¶E. Justification: Panama is ranked as Tier 2 in the U.S. Trafficking in Persons report. Panama has limited resources to conduct anti-TIP operations and training. Lack of modern office equipment for prosecutors is a major problem. This project will allow the PGR to use state of the art equipment to conduct investigations in a more efficient manner. This project will also allow Panama to fund much needed training for investigators, prosecutors, and social workers who assist TIP victims. ¶F. Performance Indicators: PGR will monitor purchase and usage of new computer equipment, faxes and digital cameras and schedule users for training. PGR will also establish milestones for the number of persons to be trained. ¶G. Evaluation Plan: The Attorney General's office will monitor the purchase of equipment and the administration of training. Embassy will meet with PGR every three months to verify that the program is going as planned. ¶H. Budget Breakout: Computer Equipment $60,000 Training Seminars/meetings $65,000 Grand total for project $125,000 ¶I. Type and amount of host government contribution or other cost sharing arrangement if any: PGR will arrange for installation and delivery of equipment. PGR will also schedule training events and monitor the numbers of persons attending these events. ¶J. Proposed funding mechanism: Cooperative agreement ¶K. Embassy point of contact: Richard J. O'Shea, Political Section, (507) 202-7183, oshearj@state.gov ¶L. Other donors, if any: None. EATON