TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS PROGRAM FOR SURINAMESE

UNCLAS PARAMARIBO 000174 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR WHA/CAR LLUFTIG, INL/LP GMALLORY, INL/HSTC, G/TIP LBROWN, WHA/PPC MPUCCETTI DEPT OF JUSTICE FOR OPDAT (ROBERT LIPMAN) CARACAS FOR LEGATT E.O. 12958: DECL: N/A TAGS: PREL PREF PHUM KCRM KWMN SMIG NS SUBJECT: TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS PROGRAM FOR SURINAMESE JUDGES A SUCCESS REF:PARAMARIBO 84 ¶1. The March 13-15 visit of two U.S. judges to Suriname was very well received by their Surinamese counterparts, with whom they held intensive discussions about effective approaches to the handling of cases involving trafficking in persons (TIP). The judges also met with academics, members of government, and legal practitioners, continuing what has already been a very successful process over the last two years of heightening attention and response to TIP in Suriname. ¶2. The primary purpose of the judges' visit was to moderate a program for Surinamese judges on TIP. In a significant demonstration of concern for tackling TIP cases effectively, nine of Suriname's ten judges participated in evening programs after their full court days. (The tenth judge was abroad). U.S. District Judge for the District of Connecticut Janet B. Arterton and U.S. Magistrate Judge to the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida in Tampa Elizabeth A. Jenkins successfully built on relationships forged with two Surinamese judges, whom they hosted in 2003-04 during two separate judiciary exchange programs. These relationships were clearly also catalysts for the Surinamese judges' enthusiastic participation, and they emphatically requested a continuation of U.S.- Surinamese judicial exchanges. ¶3. The program featured a reciprocal exchange of experiences and insights, and served to sharpen the Surinamese judges' focus on various aspects of human trafficking cases in the context of the Surinamese legal system. Covered topics included the crimes that can be potentially charged in TIP cases under the current Penal Code (which does not explicitly address trafficking), handling cases at the pre-trial, discovery, trial, and sentencing stages, ensuring protection of victims and witnesses, and issues of evidence, victims' rights, asset forfeiture, ethics, and security. The judges created a comprehensive set of discussion notes on handling TIP cases in court, which will serve as a useful reference tool to the Surinamese judges as they encounter new TIP cases. The Surinamese judges consistently gave extremely positive feedback about the program. (Note: TIP-specific legislation has been submitted to the National Assembly, where it currently sits with the judicial affairs committee.) ¶4. During their fruitful visit, the U.S. judges also had an opportunity to discuss TIP in meetings with a wide variety of stakeholders, including government and NGO officials, academics, and leading members of the legal community. These exchanges focused on various aspects of the situation in Suriname relating to TIP, such as the pending Penal Code amendment which will specifically address human trafficking, the government policy of tolerance towards prostitution, visa issuance policies facilitating entry of TIP victims into Suriname, and the current lack of a victim assistance network. These discussions served to increase the participants' awareness, and will enhance the Government of Suriname (GOS)'s response to the problem of human trafficking. ¶5. COMMENT: The participation of the Surinamese judges in the program in spite of their heavy workload sends a positive signal. Increasingly proactive GOS efforts to arrest and prosecute traffickers will result in an increased number of TIP cases, which this program has given the judges better tools to effectively adjudicate. Perhaps even more importantly, the strengthened collegial cooperation between the American and Surinamese judges will offer future opportunities for rewarding peer-to-peer dialogue, both informally and through future judicial exchanges. (Note: Reftel requested INCLE/ESF funding for a two-year judicial exchange program on TIP. End Note). END COMMENT. BARNES