DUTCH PROSECUTOR GENERAL ON TIP VISIT, RUSSIAN TIP

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 THE HAGUE 002252 SIPDIS STATE FOR G/TIP STATE ALSO FOR G, INL, DRL, PRM, IWI, EUR/PGI, EUR/UBI JUSTICE FOR T. MARCH BELL DHS FOR OIA, SAC/HOUSTON HHS FOR PEDRO MORENO SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM SMIG KCRM KWMN PREL NL SUBJECT: DUTCH PROSECUTOR GENERAL ON TIP VISIT, RUSSIAN TIP VICTIM REF: A. THE HAGUE 1713 ¶B. THE HAGUE 1448 ¶1. (U) This cable contains an action request. Please see paragraph 7. ¶2. (SBU) Summary. During an October 5 meeting with DCM, Prosecutor-General Herman Bolhaar stressed his determination to fully investigate the case of TIP victim Irine Veselykh, who testified before the U.S. Congress in June 2006 about her experience as a TIP victim in Germany and the Netherlands. Bolhaar asked for our assistance in obtaining contact information for Veselykh. Bolhaar said he was impressed with the victim-centered approach to TIP policy he observed during the Dutch TIP delegation's July visit to the U.S. End Summary. ¶3. (U) Prosecutor-General Herman Bolhaar is one of five members of the Council of Prosecutors-General, which sets national policy and priorities for criminal investigations and prosecutions. Bolhaar is responsible for oversight of Trafficking in Persons (TIP) prosecution policy; the national TIP prosecutor reports directly to him. Bolhaar was joined in the meeting by Arie IJzerman, Justice Ministry Director for Law Enforcement and Organized Crime Fighting. ¶4. (U) Bolhaar and IJzerman led the Dutch TIP delegation, comprised of prosecutors, police and ministry officials that visited Houston and Washington, DC, in July. Bolhaar said he was impressed by the delegation's discussions with U.S. TIP officials, particularly by the USG's victim-centered approach to TIP. (Note: The delegation met with ICE in Houston and Washington, DOJ, G/TIP, and NGOs. End Note.) Noting that TIP is far more than just a criminal problem, Bolhaar discussed the difficulty that both U.S. and Dutch authorities face in addressing the many factors, including economic influences, that drive TIP. He also explained his efforts to expand understanding of TIP among mayors and other local officials to help them detect possible vulnerabilities to TIP in their municipalities. These efforts include educating local authorities about TIP, TIP victims and what attracts traffickers to certain areas, and promoting information sharing among agencies and regions. ¶5. (SBU) Turning to the case of Russian TIP victim Irine Veselykh, Bolhaar explained that it is his intention to deal very strongly with the problems she experienced. In testimony before the House International Relations Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations in June 2006, Veselykh stated that she had been detained for three months on immigration charges in the Netherlands despite having identified herself as a TIP victim. At the request of G/TIP, the Embassy asked Dutch officials to look into Veselykh's case. ¶6. (SBU) Bolhaar said that, upon learning of Veselykh's experiences, he ordered the police to re-open her case and determine whether there was information in her case that could lead to further investigations or prosecutions. The police have since exhausted all leads within the Netherlands that might lead to prosecution, but believe that there may still be leads that they could pursue with German authorities. Bolhaar asked for our assistance in obtaining contact information for Veselykh so Dutch officials could get in touch with her to further their investigation. Attempts by the Dutch to do so through their Embassy in Moscow have so far not succeeded. Bolhaar and Ijzerman indicated that they would be willing to provide a more detailed report on Veselykh's case after they have spoken with her and completed the investigation of her case. In separate discussions, our contacts in the TIP Expertise Center have told us that miscommunication between regional prosecutors and police apparently led to Veselykh's detention for immigration violations. They added that they are taking steps to ensure that such miscommunication does not happen in the future. ¶7. (U) Action Request: Post requests that G/TIP provide up- THE HAGUE 00002252 002 OF 002 to-date contact information for Veselykh to pass on to the Dutch. Dutch police are eager to discuss the case directly with Veselykh to determine whether any further legal inquiries or actions are possible. ARNALL