Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06SANSALVADOR1181
2006-05-04 21:05:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy San Salvador
Cable title:  

SALVADORAN GOVERNMENT UNVEILS TIP VICTIMS SHELTER

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C O N F I D E N T I A L SAN SALVADOR 001181 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/04/2016
TAGS: KCRM KWMN PHUM PREL SMIG ES TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS
SUBJECT: SALVADORAN GOVERNMENT UNVEILS TIP VICTIMS SHELTER


Classified By: DCM Michael Butler. Reasons 1.4 (b,d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L SAN SALVADOR 001181

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/04/2016
TAGS: KCRM KWMN PHUM PREL SMIG ES TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS
SUBJECT: SALVADORAN GOVERNMENT UNVEILS TIP VICTIMS SHELTER


Classified By: DCM Michael Butler. Reasons 1.4 (b,d).


1. (U) On the margins of the Regional Migration Conference
being hosted by the Government of El Salvador (GOES),
Minister of Governance Rene Figueroa announced at a May 3
press conference the unveiling of a GOES shelter for
trafficking in persons victims. Figueroa stated that the
shelter opening gave evidence of the GOES commitment to work
with the international community to protect trafficking
victims. According to the GOES, trafficking victims will
heretofore receive housing and medical, psychological, and
legal assistance at the shelter. The GOES has created an
inter-agency commission, composed of high-ranking officials
from the National Police (PNC),Salvadoran Institute for the
Care of Children and Adolescents (ISNA),Salvadoran Institute
for Women (ISDEMU),and Office of Migration, to oversee the
shelter as well as all issues relating to trafficking victims.


2. (SBU) On April 26, Director of Migration Jorge Santivanez
gave Polcouns a tour of the new shelter. The shelter is very
spacious, with clean, newly furnished rooms capable of
housing up to 20 individuals, a clinic, and ample
recreational areas, including a small library. The
recently-hired professional staff, including a social worker
and psychologist were present during the tour, and expressed
enthusiasm concerning the facility and its mission. They
stated that the shelter would be receiving its first three
victims in the next few days. These victims are underage
Nicaraguan girls who had been trafficked for prostitution in
El Salvador by Guatemalan traffickers, and would be
testifying against the traffickers. Santivanez and the
shelter staff expressed great appreciation to the USG for
funding the furnishings and equipment in the shelter.


3. (C) Comment: Minister of Governance Figueroa has
expressed to Polcouns that he realizes the GOES has to make
greater efforts to fight trafficking in persons, including
aggressive prosecution of traffickers. Emboffs made sure
that he and other GOES high-ranking officials read the TIP
report and took it to heart. The opening of this shelter is
one indication that the message is being received.
Barclay