KAZAKHSTAN TIP INTERIM ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR 2007

UNCLAS ASTANA 003162

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR G (ACBLANK),G/TIP, SCA/CEN (O'MARA),SCA/RA, INL/AAE
(BUHLER),DRL, PRM, USAID

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KCRM PHUM SOCI KCOR PGOV KZ
SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN TIP INTERIM ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR 2007

REF: A) SECSTATE 147242

B) ASTANA 1925
C) ASTANA 1267
D) ASTANA 2686
E) ASTANA 367
F) ASTANA 1061
G) ASTANA 3082


1. Post is pleased that Kazakhstan has made significant progress in
addressing key deficiencies highlighted in June 2007 TIP report and
is pleased to submit the following information in response to reftel

A. All responses are keyed to reftel A.


2. PARA 6A (a): Three corrupt anti-TIP police officers were
prosecuted during the reporting period. In March, the Committee for
National Security (KNB) and the Ministry of Interior (MVD) initiated
a criminal case against Captain Igor Morozov, the former head of the
Anti-Trafficking Unit of the Organized Crimes Division of the MVD,
on charges of falsification of evidence and abuse of professional
functions. Captain Morozov is accused of providing protection for
Olga Kodonidi, a local madam, and facilitating prostitution. The
case is currently before the court (septel). In June, the MVD
office in Akmola oblast initiated a criminal case against two police
officers of the Anti-Trafficking Unit of Organized Crimes Division
of the MVD. Both Senior Operative Officer Sydykov and Operative
Officer Baisalbayev are accused of providing protection for a woman
accused of operating a brothel. The investigation of this case is
ongoing.


2. PARA 6A (b): A total of 19 trafficking cases were under
investigation during the reporting period. Fourteen criminal cases
were investigated under the trafficking in persons article of the
criminal code and five under the trafficking in minors article.
Eleven of the trafficking in persons cases were initiated during the
reporting period and three were ongoing cases from 2006 and 10 cases
were submitted to the court. In five of the cases before the court,
a total of 17 traffickers were sentenced to prison terms. Four of
the cases of trafficking in minors were submitted to the court and
one was suspended due to failure to identify the traffickers. For
details on 2007 trafficking convictions please see reftels B, C, and

D.


3. PARA 6A (c): In October, Prime Minister Massimov chaired the
third Civic Forum, in which the GOK met with NGO leaders from
throughout Kazakhstan, including leaders of anti-trafficking NGOs.
The Ministers and Governors of oblasts reported on cooperation and
interaction with NGOs over the last two years. President Nazarbayev
has encouraged the GOK to support NGOs within the framework of the
Concept for Civil Society Development, adopted during the second
Civic Forum, and the Social Assistance Law that allows the GOK to
provide grants to NGOs. From 2006 to 2007, the GOK provided grants
to the Union of Crisis Centers for implementation of an information
campaign to prevent sexual violence against women and children,
child pornography, and human trafficking. According to the Ministry
of Information, the campaign reached more than 3,000 people and
3,000 "Your Rights" booklets were distributed. The GOK plans to
provide more grants to anti-trafficking NGOs in 2008.


4. PARA 6A (d): The GOK continues to actively provide
anti-trafficking in persons and victim identification training to
law enforcement officers. During the reporting period, in Karaganda
the Anti-TIP Center of the MVD conducted five, four-week, in-service
training courses for their criminal police and migration police
officers. A total of 97 MVD officers from anti-trafficking units
throughout Kazakhstan were trained. In addition to government
anti-TIP trainings, Kazakhstani officials actively participated in
the following US Embassy/INL courses: an anti-TIP training course in
January (reftel E),an Anti-TIP Legislation Conference in April
(reftel F),and a Kazakhstan-Turkey Liaison meeting in September.
They also participated in other anti-TIP training events conducted
by other donors.


5. PARA 6A, Other Developments: In August, a draft law on
ratification of the UN Convention on Transnational Crimes and draft
law on ratification of the Slavery Convention, Protocol of Changes
and Amendments to the Slavery Convention, and the Additional
Protocol on Slavery Abolishment were submitted to the parliament for
approval. After approval by the parliament, the President must sign
the laws to complete the process of Kazakhstan's accession to these
conventions and protocols. In September and October, MVD
successfully conducted two anti-trafficking operations. As a result
of this operation, a number trafficking cases were uncovered and are
now under investigation (reftel G).

ORDWAY