UNCLAS DAKAR 001348

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR G/TIP, INL/AAE, AF/RSA AND AF/W

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM KCRM PU SG
SUBJECT: TIP REPORTS DELIVERED; UNODC AND EU WORKING WITH ECOWAS
COUNTRIES ON TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS

REF: A. STATE 079033


B. STATE 078726


1. EmbOffs have delivered the 2007 Trafficking in Persons (TIP)
reports to the Governments of Senegal and Guinea-Bissau, and the
reports have been posted on the embassy Web site in English and
French or Portuguese. In the course of related discussions, Embassy
learned that the computer equipment provided to Senegal's Judicial
Police to set up a trafficking database in 2004 has yet to be
populated with information about traffickers. The database of
talibes at the Ginddi Center, however, is being populated, and we
are encouraging the Ministries of Interior and Family to share
information. We believe that persuading the police that the
database could be used for all criminal gangs involved in smuggling
people, narcotics ad weapons may be the most effective approach at
this point.


2. The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) told DCM that the
European Union (EU) has launched a new initiative with the 15
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) member countries
to assist with updating and implementing TIP legislation. The EU
has suggested that Senegal revise its TIP legislation to
discriminate between TIP and migrant smuggling, which the April 2005
legislation does not. The EU is also working with Guinea-Bissau's
National Popular Assembly to get TIP legislation enacted before
legislative elections in March or April 2008.

JACOBS