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