CHILE: TIP PROPOSAL FOR ESF FUNDING IN 2006

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000273

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR G/TIP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KWMN KCRM PHUM ASEC ELAB SMIG EAID CI
SUBJECT: CHILE: TIP PROPOSAL FOR ESF FUNDING IN 2006

REF: A. SANTIAGO 218


B. 05 STATE 221418


1. In response to ref B, Post proposes the USG fund a series
of professional education workshops for public officials and
local activists in all regions of Chile with ports or major
land-border crossings. The project would help prevent
trafficking in persons (TIP) in Chile and would also raise
awareness. This project, at an estimated cost of USD 80,000,
would be coordinated through the National Women's Service
(SERNAM) and the Ministry of Interior. It would build on
recent successful seminars conducted in Arica and Iquique in
northern Chile.


2. While Chile has professional and well-developed law
enforcement and social service capabilities, not all Chilean
government officials and social services professionals
consider TIP a significant problem. That being said, the GOC
took several major steps in 2005 toward improving its
anti-TIP efforts, including naming a national coordinator in
the Interior Ministry and ratifying the Additional Protocol
to Suppress, Prevent and Punish the Trafficking in Persons,
Especially Women and Children. In the past six months, Chile
has detected several trafficking operations, arrested
perpetrators and provided protection and support services to
the victims. Criminal prosecutions in these cases are
ongoing. Also, at least two of President-elect Bachelet's
cabinet-level appointees have held senior positions at SERNAM
(ref A) and should be knowledgable about TIP-related issues
in Chile.

--------------
Training and Awareness of TIP
--------------


3. Post proposes funding a program to provide awareness
training and an understanding of already-existing laws for
prosecuting trafficking offenses. Also included would be
training on current mechanisms for protecting and supporting
victims for local officials and activists in the six regions
with highest population and international ports or border
crossings: Tarapaca (Arica and Iquique),Antofagasta,
Valparaiso, Metropolitan Region (Santiago),Araucania
(Temuco),and Los Lagos (Puerto Montt). This would be an
extension of the multi-phase Prevention of Trafficking in
Persons Project, which provides education to the Chilean
public on trafficking in persons, technical training for law
enforcement and the judiciary and assistance in developing a
victim support infrastructure.


4. Although the number of cross-border trafficking cases in
Chile appears to be relatively small, there have been a
handful of documented cases of Chilean women trafficked to
work in neighboring countries and in Japan. They were
enticed with promises of high-paying jobs and were were
subsequently forced into prostitution. There is anecdotal
evidence that some of the young women involved in
prostitution within Chile may have entered the country under
similar circumstances. An ILO-funded study by SENAME (the
National Minors' Service) and Arcis University estimated that
some 3,700 adolescents and children were involved in
prostitution in Chile in 2002-2003. Chilean consular
authorities in 2001 detected a scheme whereby young women in
the Philippines obtained Chilean visas for onward travel to
Peru, where investigating Chilean authorities lost track of
them. Clearly, some trafficking occurs into and through
Chile, although it is difficult to estimate the scale of the
problem. Increasing awareness among front-line GOC
authorities at the regional and municipal level, and within
relevant NGOs, would improve prevention and prosecution of
TIP cases in Chile, as well as improve the protection of TIP
victims.


5. The Trafficking Training for Officials and Public
Awareness Project proposal follows in reftel format:


A. Title of Project: Training for Officials and Public
Awareness of Trafficking of Persons in Chile


B. Name of Recipient Organization/Government Agency: SERNAM
and Interior Ministry.


C. Duration of Project: Project completion deadline would be
twelve months from start date. This is a continuation of a
project financed with FY 2004 ESF funds.


D. Description: This project would promote an effective
response to TIP cases in high-risk areas of Chile. Training
local officials and activists would increase awareness of
what constitutes trafficking; ensure that authorities and
advocates understand the legal remedies; and mobilize
official and private support networks for victims. The
project would hold separate workshops for local officials and
NGOs in the major cities of the First, Second, Fifth, Ninth
and Tenth Regions of Chile, as well as the Metropolitan
Region comprised of Santiago and its satellite communities.
Training for local government officials and police would
cover existing laws and administrative tools for detecting
and prosecuting trafficking activity, plus mechanisms for
protecting victims (safe houses, psychological counseling,
medical services). Training for community groups and NGOs
would focus on what constitutes trafficking, the legal rights
of victims and how to report potential incidents of
trafficking.


E. Justification: Although Chile lacks reliable statistics
on the extent of TIP within its borders, government and
police authorities are currently investigating three
trafficking rings. Embassy-funded TIP seminars held in
January 2006 in Iquique and Arica drew over 100 local
government and police officials, and more than 80
representatives of NGOs and community groups. Post overcame
the initial reluctance of some GOC authorities, who did not
want TIP publicly discussed before the GOC had developed its
own national strategy. Feedback from these events, including
from GOC officials, has been universally positive, creating
momentum for a broader project. Increasing awareness of TIP,
existing anti-TIP laws and victims' rights will lead to
improved prevention, prosecution of TIP-related crimes and
ultimately the protection of victims in Chile.


F. Performance Indicators: Completion of two seminars with
participation by appropriate local government and police
officials in all six targeted regions. Completion of two
seminars with participation by local NGOs and activists in
all six targeted regions. Media coverage and broader
TIP-awareness programs sponsored directly by the GOC in out
years.


G. Evaluation Plan: Post will review progress with SERNAM on
a quarterly basis. Proposed milestones: Q1 - implementing
organization(s) chosen and work plan approved; Q2 - workshops
underway, conducted in three regions; Q3 - workshops continue
in remaining three regions; Q4 - SERNAM publishes a report on
the workshops and develops a plan to offer similar programs
in 2007.


H. Post estimates program costs at approximately USD 80,000
as follows:

USD 18,500 -- Administrative costs, including project
coordinator (USD 9,000),office supplies and other routine
costs
.

USD 39,000 -- Workshop/seminar costs, including trainers,
venue costs, lodging for regional participants, workshop
materials and travel.

USD 19,500 -- Publicity campaign, including design, printing,
distribution and advertising.

USD 3,000 -- Incidentals and contingencies.

A more detailed budget breakout will be created pending
completion of preliminary program design.


I. Type and amount of host government contribution: The GOC
will provide in-kind services to support this project,
including but not limited to clerical and professional staff
support; available office space and conference facilities;
office supplies; editing of final report; and, web-hosting of
final report. Initial estimate of the value of GOC support
is USD 20,000.


J. Proposed funding mechanism: Use of ESF funds. This
project would be funded as an amendment to Post's bilateral
letter of agreement (LOA).


K. Embassy point of contact: Jeffrey E. Galvin,
phone:(562)-330-3334, fax: (562)-330-3118, email:
galvinje@state.gov.


L. Other Donors: None
KELLY