SRI LANKA: PROPOSED TIP BENCHMARKS

UNCLAS COLOMBO 001449 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/INS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE SUBJECT: SRI LANKA: PROPOSED TIP BENCHMARKS REF: A. COLOMBO 1304 ¶B. COLOMBO 1188 ¶C. STATE 113842 ¶D. AND PREVIOUS ¶1. In accordance with the Short Term Action Plan for Sri Lanka provided by G/TIP, post recommends the following benchmarks for use in evaluating Government of Sri Lanka progress in combating trafficking in persons: -Working with the International Organization for Migration (IOM),set up and begin using a new case management and tracking database to record data on victims and progress on trafficking cases. -Pass witness protection and victim assistance legislation in parliament by February 2008. This new law will encourage victims to participate in investigations against traffickers, and provide victims with a legal right to assistance. -Begin new TIP investigations and prosecutions under the 2006 anti-trafficking law or the human smuggling section of the Immigration and Emigration Act. -Hold at least one government-hosted TIP roundtable to raise awareness and generate support for a national anti-trafficking policy. Participation should include relevant GSL ministries, embassies, and NGOs. Results of the roundtable should be highlighted in a GSL press release. -Activate a GSL working group to coordinate and develop policies on TIP. The working group should include the Foreign Employment Ministry, Foreign Employment Bureau, Women's Empowerment and Child Development Ministry, National Child Protection Authority, Attorney General's office, and the Women's and Children's Bureau of the Sri Lanka Police. -Document contact with law enforcement counterparts in at least two prostitution source countries. -Sign at least one additional migrant labor memorandum of understanding (MOU) with a foreign employment destination country. The GSL should push to include provisions for rights of victims, including the right to participate in trials of abusive employers and protection from punishment for offenses committed as a result of being trafficked. -Document assistance provided to victims of trafficking repatriated from abroad. ¶2. COMMENT: These benchmarks have been discussed with the GSL and IOM, which will be implementing a $500,000 USG-funded anti-trafficking program in Sri Lanka. Post assesses that these benchmarks represent significant, yet realistic, objectives for the GSL on combating human trafficking. Post will continue to coordinate closely with the GSL on its anti-trafficking efforts and will report further developments. MOORE