EGYPT: NTERIM TIP ASSESSMENT

UNCLAS CAIRO 003258 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ELA, NEA/RA AND G/TIP E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KCRM KWMN PGOV PHUM SMIG AEMR EG SUBJECT: EGYPT: NTERIM TIP ASSESSMENT REF: A. SECSTATE 147732 B. CAIRO 3031 ¶C. CAIRO 2536 ¶D. CAIRO 1097 Sensitive but unclassified, please protect accordngly. ¶1. (U) Per ref A instructions, we providethe below input for the interim Trafficking-in-Pesons (TIP) assessment for Egypt. We note that te GOE inter-ministeial "National Committee to Comat and Prevent Trafficking in Persons" had its frst meeting in October 2007, representing a longawaited step to increase official GOE efforts aganst trafficking. The inter-ministerial committee s working on three tracks: implementing already xistent anti-TIP provisions; legislating new ant-TIP laws; and increasing public awareness of th nature and importance of TIP (ref B). Additionaly, Egypt and the UAE are currently drafting the Arb League's anti-TIP action plan, which would the be incumbent upon member states to implement. Increasing Criminal Investigations and Prosecutios -------------- -------------- ¶2. (SBU) The inter-ministerial committee ha identified increasing investigations and prosections under existing law as one of its main task. The GOE already prosecutes some cases of indiviuals who force children into prostitution or beggng. Over the past few months, there have been icreasing reports of GOE authorities arresting smgglers who arrange for Egyptians to illegally travl to Europe to work. The GOE has also long beenfocused on Bedouin smugglers in the Sinai and is ndertaking a comprehensive assessment of trafficing networks in the Sinai. Identifying Victims nd Providing Protection Services -------------- -------------- ¶3. (SBU) lthough not specifically geared towards trafficking victims, quasi-governmental organizations such as the National Center for Childhood and Motherhood (NCCM) and the National Center for Women (NCW) are bolstering their network of services to abused street children and women (ref D). USAID is supporting these efforts in a five-year activity to combat violence against women and children that is likely to incorporate anti-TIP priorities. A major component of the project will be to strengthen and expand services extended to street children, including the upgrading of reception houses. Enacting Anti-Trafficking Legislation -------------- ¶4. (SBU) The NCCM has drafted a new child protection law that specifically addresses TIP in regards to children, to be introduced in the current session of parliament (ref B). The law delineates a penalty of at least five years in prison and a fine of at least LE 50,000 (USD 8,990) for any persons who "present for purchasing, receive, or deliver a child in order to be treated as a slave or with the intention of usage in unlawful commercial or sexual exploitation or any other illegitimate purposes." Additionally, those in violation of child labor laws are subject to fines beginning at LE 200 (USD 36),doubling for each violation, and any who "endanger the life of a child," which includes exposing a child to "abuse, violence, exploitation, or displacement," incurs a sentence of at least three months in prison. The new law increases the minimum age of marriage for girls from 16 to 18. ¶5. (SBU) The Ministry of Justice is also working on new, comprehensive anti-TIP legislation. This is the first indication we have of official GOE support for the idea that a comprehensive anti-TIP law is necessary for Egypt. Instituting a Public Awareness Campaign -------------- ¶6. (SBU) In early July, state-owned Egyptian television began airing UN-produced public service announcements on labor trafficking during prime-time broadcasts. Media monitoring indicated that the spots were aired throughout the day, most notably before and after evening news programs, serials, and popular prime-time talk shows (ref C). The inter-ministerial committee has focused on increasing public awareness as one of its main tasks. RICCIARDONE