OSCE MISSION IN TASHKENT PROVIDES UPDATE ON TIP

C O N F I D E N T I A L TASHKENT 000266

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/CACEN, SA, INL, AND G/TIP

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/02/2016
TAGS: PHUM SMIG KCRM KWOMN OSCE UZ
SUBJECT: OSCE MISSION IN TASHKENT PROVIDES UPDATE ON TIP
WORKING GROUP

REF: 05 Tashkent 3102

Classified by Amb. Jon R. Purnell for reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d).


1. (C) Summary: The OSCE anti-TIP Working Group project is
stalled, and unlikely to make significant progress any time
soon. The working group has not met since March 2005,
although the OSCE Ambassador has reportedly obtained
written statements of support from the General Prosecutor,
Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD),and National Security
Service (NSS). The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA),
however, refuses to engage with OSCE on the issue and will
only say that a decision will be made soon. End summary.


2. (C) OSCE Human Dimension Officer Marc Bojanic provided
poloffs with an update on the status of OSCE's anti-
trafficking in persons (TIP) working group project on
January 27. The project is partially funded by INL and is
intended to create an interagency GOU working group to
consider TIP issues and propose amendments to existing
legislation to address the problem.


3. (C) Bojanic said that the working group had not met
since March 2005, and still does not have legal status
within the GOU. OSCE Ambassador Jenca met with Deputy
Prosecutor General Nabiev in October 2005 to discuss the
project. Following that meeting, Nabiev reportedly sent a
letter to the MFA, MVD, and the NSS asking that the working
group be reconstituted and given legal status. Bojanic
understands that MVD and NSS responded positively.
However, MFA is still considering the issue and will only
say that a decision should be made "soon."


4. (C) Bojanic said that several original members of the
working group have been reassigned since the March meeting.
He understands that MVD has since nominated a replacement
member, but that MFA has not yet approved the nomination.
OSCE has asked the MFA for clarification of the group's
current membership, but has not received a response.
Bojanic acknowledged that the working group project has not
achieved hoped for progress in legislative reform to
address TIP issues. However, he said OSCE continues to
believe the project has value, particularly as the working
group will have greater stature and ability to push
legislation if it receives legal status.


5. (C) Comment: The TIP working group project is stalled.
MFA's refusal to engage with the OSCE is particularly
noteworthy given that the MFA has cited the existence of
the working group as a sign of the GOU's commitment to
fighting TIP (reftel). It seems that the GOU believes it
should be given credit for creating the working group on
paper despite the apparent unwillingness to have it meet.

PURNELL