EMBASSY BUENOS AIRES PROPOSALS FOR G/TIP MANAGED FY 2007

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000793 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS G/TIP FOR BRESNEHAN WHA/PPC FOR PUCCETTI WHA/BSC FOR BARNES, FRIEDMAN, MOSS, AND BLAKENEY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC ELAB KCRM PHUM PREL SMIG SUBJECT: EMBASSY BUENOS AIRES PROPOSALS FOR G/TIP MANAGED FY 2007 ESF AND INCLE FUNDS REF: A) STATE 28159 B) BUENOS AIRES 753 C) 05 STATE 21324 D) 03 STATE 34981 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Embassy Buenos Aires's top priorities in strengthening Argentina's anti-trafficking efforts include 1) advanced training in investigating and prosecuting human trafficking cases; 2) the establishment of a dedicated and specialized assistance center for trafficking victims; and 3) improved coordination among NGOs and migrant organizations focused on combating human trafficking and reintegrating victims in their economy, and communities where possible. The Argentine government, in conjunction with the International Organization for Migration, has spent considerable efforts in raising public awareness of human trafficking and has made basic anti-trafficking education a regular part of training for law enforcement and judicial officials through its Office of Assistance to Victims of Crime (OFAVI). In recent months a number of bills seeking to criminalize trafficking in persons have been introduced in the Argentine Congress, and Lower House Criminal Legislation Committee Chairperson told us that she was confident that the law would pass by the end of May (ref B). The Ambassador and Embassy staff are actively working to that end. Funding TIP-related training to judges, prosecutors, law enforcement, officials as well as health workers and labor inspectors will help build on this positive momentum, and strengthen institutional capacity to effectively identify victims, as well as investigate and prosecute human trafficking cases. ¶2. (SBU) In addition, OFAVI and IOM has developed a victim's referral process in order to provide more comprehensive victim's assistance, including medical, psychological, reintegration, and in some cases, repatriation assistance. Unfortunately, the number of victims who need this assistance outpace the number of victims OFAVI and IOM are able to assist, and there are no shelters specifically dedicated for trafficking victims in Argentina. For these reasons, the Embassy recommends ESF funding for a pilot project that would establish a victim's assistance center that would not only provide shelter but offer integrated services with the ultimate aim of social reintegration. End Summary. -------------- Proposals for INCLE Funding -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Argentine NGO Unidos por la Justicia (UPLJ) and USDOJ's Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training (OPDAT) have both submitted proposals focusing on advanced training for judges, prosecutors and law enforcement officials in investigating and prosecuting cases. Both applicants have indicated to post that they would be willing to work together to offer this type of training. Post recommends that local NGO, UPLJ administer the program stipulating that it develop a a joint work plan that would integrate elements of both programs, specifically delineating roles and responsibilities of each organization, and subject to Embassy review and approval. Should this proposal be selected, we would recommend bolstering UPLJ's anticipated budget by $100,000 to reflect the additional costs of bringing in USG trainers for the program as well as overhead and logistical support costs associated with the preparation and translation of training materials. The U.S. Embassy has worked very closely with Unidos por la Justicia particularly in the implementation of our "Justice Undergoing Change" program, which is aimed at providing training to magistrates to help Argentina make its judicial system more efficient. ¶A. Unidos por la Justicia Proposal -------------- i) Organization Name: Unidos por la Justicia Asociacion Civil ii) Budget Cost: $80,400 iii) Project Title: Integrated Trafficking in Persons Training and Prevention Program iv) Project Duration: 2 years v) Proposal Abstract: The project's goal is to enhance the judicial system's efficiency in prosecuting crimes related to human smuggling and trafficking through the integrated training of judges, prosecutors and law enforcement officials and agents. The project also aims to provide training to civil society leaders to provide integrated assistance of trafficking victims and to vulnerable populations, with the goal of strengthening the social reintegration process and avoiding the recruitment of new victims. Unidos por la Justicia will draw on a number of judicial officials and community leaders with the necessary expertise to implement an Integrated Training and Prevention Program that addresses all aspects of the trafficking phenomenon. The project seeks to implement three types of concurrent activities, with the principle goal being integrated training that comprises the main aspects of smuggling of human beings and trafficking in persons: a) prevention, b) prosecution and c) victims assistance and the socio-economic reintegration of victims. A team of trainers from Unidos por la Justicia and guest experts will direct intensive workshops in investigative techniques to combat migrant smuggling and trafficking in persons. The workshops will be addressed to members of the judiciary, public ministries (offices of prosecutors) and law enforcement agents and officials. The training course will develop specific investigative protocols for this sort of crime, which will emphasize the planning and coordination of the different activities that investigations require among all the institutional actors involved. Another team of trainers will prepare workshops aimed at preventing the recruitment of victims in high-risk areas, and at training community leaders to aid and help reintegrate victims. The following outcomes are expected from the Integrated Training and Prevention Program: a. Enhance prosecutorial effectiveness by improving coordination among people and resources. b. Improve the planning of investigations. c. Strengthen the criminal system so as to combat migrant smuggling and trafficking in persons. d. Decrease levels of revictimization in smuggling and trafficking crimes in Argentina. e. Strengthen mechanisms of assistance and social reintegration of victims. ¶B. USDOJ'S Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training Proposal -------------- -------------- i) U.S. Department of Justice Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training (OPDAT) ii) Budget Cost: $ 225,335.00 iii) Project Title: Technical Assistance to Increase the Capacity of Argentina's Criminal Justice System to Combat Trafficking in Persons iv) Project Duration: 2 years v) Proposal Abstract: The proposed technical assistance program is designed to address the Argentine Republic's ability to effectively investigate and prosecute human trafficking cases, as well as improve courtroom handling and protection of victims and witnesses. This proposal is put forth with a goal to improve the capacity of the Argentine Attorney General's Office and the Argentine Federal Police to work within their own legal system to better combat human trafficking. The proposed program is entirely sustainable because it is designed to help Argentina's prosecutors, investigators, border officials and victim/witness experts develop the requisite "know how" to better utilize their own laws and procedures to effectively monitor and prosecute human trafficking. Over the course of two years, US federal prosecutors, investigators and victim-witness experts with experience prosecuting human trafficking cases and conducting international training will work with Argentina's prosecutors, investigators, NGOs and other relevant stakeholders so that they might better investigate and prosecute suspected traffickers and protect trafficking victims. During the first year, OPDAT will focus on building the skills of prosecutors and law enforcement officials - specifically members of a new unit established to increase human trafficking prosecutions in Argentina - to enforce existing laws and investigate and develop trafficking cases through hands on, practical training. The goals of such workshops will be to develop best practices to investigate and prosecutor traffickers and public officials who participate in or facilitate human trafficking. These workshops will also examine Argentina's existing criminal legislation and discuss how it can be used to prosecute traffickers, including how to use related criminal offenses to bring charges against suspected traffickers. In an effort to better protect victims, a second component of the program will be to facilitate close working relations between police and NGOs and train police in special victim interview techniques. The focus of these programs will be to develop a better system for protecting victims and witnesses and to develop victim protection protocols based on best practices. During these programs, participants will assess the capability of provincial and municipal leaders to comply with international and Argentine human trafficking statues, and recommend, as necessary and/or feasible, improvements. ¶4. (SBU) The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has submitted a proposal for training of labor inspectors and healthcare workers so that they may better identify, and ultimately assist, victims of trafficking for labor and sexual exploitation. It also offers health training to populations at risk of being trafficked as well as integration victims assistance including medical and psychological services as well as reintegration into the economy through microenterprise activities. With grants from the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) in FY 04 and FY06, IOM has done an excellent job in providing basic anti-TIP training to numerous judges, prosecutors, security and law enforcement agents, and other officials at the national and provincial level as well as launching a nation-wide public awareness campaign featuring popular actress/singer Natalia Oreiro, who recorded a song and produced a video to highlight the issue. Based on our evaluation of current IOM programs, we believe they have the institutional capacity to manage these funds well, deliver results, and set up mechanisms that will ensure sustainability. ¶A. IOM's Proposal -------------- i) International Organization for Migration ii) Budget Cost: $422,951 iii) Project Title: Program for the Prevention and Protection of the Victims of Trafficking and Vulnerable Population in the Southern Cone iv) Project Duration: 12 months (Anticipated October 2007 to October 2008) v) Abstract: The overall objectives of the project are to strengthen migrant associations and NGOs ability to fight trafficking for sexual and labor exploitation by focusing on programs aimed at prevention and victim protection. The project also seeks to fortify the ability of governments, migrant associations and NGOs to identify victims. In addition, it includes a strong component of assistance and empowerment of victims of trafficking (VoT) and the population most at risk of being trafficked. The project also seeks to strengthen NGO and migrant efforts to generate more job opportunities for VoTs and populations at risk of being trafficked. Some of the main activities envisaged in the present project are: a. Development of an assessment/study on the trafficking phenomenon for labor exploitation in Buenos Aires, b. Training and workshops on Human and Labour rights, c. Training and workshops on Human Rights and Access to Health rights for persons vulnerable to trafficking, prevention of HIV transmission and promotion of HIV voluntary testing, d. Training of labor inspectors teams and public health physicians on the Palermo protocol and UN - ILO Conventions regarding abolition of slavery and practices similar to slavery (forced labor/labor in servitude conditions, etc.) for the better identification of victims, e. Direct assistance to VOTs. The project activities are meant to achieve the strengthening of existing organizations and the creation or consolidation of networks. As a result of it, the growth of the amount of regularized and documented migrants is also expected as well as the increase of the number of assisted victims of trafficking for sexual and labor exploitation, and the increase of the number of reintegration plans designed and agreed with the victims and a larger quantity of victims participating in training courses for labor reintegration. -------------- Proposal Recommended for ESF Funding -------------- 5) (SBU) The Asociacion Civil Centro Integral de Rehabilitacion Social Argentino (CIRSA) proposes to establish a dedicated and specialized assistance center for minor victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation with the ultimate aim of reintegration into the economy, and communities, where possible. The center will provide medical and psychological services; literacy program for unschooled victims; vocational training for victims over the age of 16; subsidies to the victims so that they may be able to develop their own microenterprises. Through a donation from the Catholic Church, CIRSA already has a house where the center would operate. In addition, it has developed a strong relationship with the Ministry of Interior, which provides security forces to assist CIRSA in its efforts to rescue trafficking victims. i) Asociacion Civil Centro Integral de Rehabilitacion Social Argentino (CIRSA) ii) Budget Cost: $186,400 iii) Project Title: Integrated Assistance Center for Minor Victims of Trafficking for Sexual Exploitation iv) Project Duration: 2 years v) Abstract: The trafficking of children and adolescents in Argentina for sexual exploitation purposes has always been a vital social concern and part of the public agenda. There has been a consistent increase in trafficking for sexual exploitation purposes, with 97% of victims being adult females, children and adolescents. At present, there is a need to create a center designed to protect and aid child and adolescent victims of trafficking. There is no national center of this kind, either state-run or private. Government attempts to address the issue have been largely uncoordinated and have yielded poor results, given the lack of effective interdisciplinary and interinstitutional approaches to the problem. Progress in this area has also been limited in part due to the absence of private financial contributors. The proposed Center of Integrated Assistance for Children and Adolescent Traffic Victims will address the victims' legal, sanitary, psychological and social needs. Three lines of action will be prioritized: protection, assistance and integrated treatment of children and adolescents victimized by the sex trade in any part of the country. The center will also provide a temporary home to victims who are referred from either state or civil-society organizations in the City of Buenos Aires, capital of the Republic of Argentina. The Center will provide direct assistance for children and adolescent traffic victims, focusing on their gradual social reintegration through ludo-therapy activities, courses on victims' rights, trade and art workshops, and job training for those over 16 years of age, all of which will be based on non-formal education standards designed around the victim's personal characteristics and needs. In order to implement the proposed activities, the Center of Integrated Assistance for Children and Adolescent Traffic Victims will rely on an expert professional team. The following results are expected to be obtained after 24 (twenty-four) months: a) A Center of Integrated Assistance for Children and Adolescent Traffic Victims. b) Social and family reintegration of the victims. c) A literacy program for unschooled victims. d) Non-formal education in the areas of arts and trades, human rights promotion and job training for those over 16 years of age. e) A system of subsidies for the development of small-scale business plans for individuals or groups. f) Agreements with companies and state organizations to secure the long-term sustainability of the project. WAYNE