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