SYRIA: 2006 TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS REPORT

UNCLAS DAMASCUS 000218 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS G/TIP, G, INL, DRL, PRM, NEA/RA, NEA/ELA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KCRM PHUM KWMN SMIG KFRD ASEC PREF ELAB SUBJECT: SYRIA: 2006 TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS REPORT REF: SECSTATE 202745 ¶1. (U) THE FOLLOWING IS POST'S SUBMISSION TO THE ANNUAL TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS REPORT. THE EMBASSY'S POINT OF CONTACT IS POLOFF MARIA D.G. OLSON. OFFICE TELEPHONE: (963) (11) 3391-3785. FAX: (963) (11) 3391-3999. OFFICER SPENT 40 HOURS IN PREPARATION OF THE REPORT, WHICH IS STRUCTURED TO ANSWER REFTEL. -------------- CHECKLIST -------------- ¶2. (SBU) 27.A: SYRIA'S OPAQUE LEGAL AND POLITICAL SYSTEM AND CONSERVATIVE, FAMILY-CENTERED SOCIETAL VALUES, WHICH DISCOURAGE DISCUSSION OF TRAFFICKING-RELATED ISSUES SUCH AS PROSTITUTION, MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE TO WHAT EXTENT SYRIA IS A COUNTRY OF ORIGIN, TRANSIT, OR DESTINATION FOR TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS. NO GOVERNMENT ENTITY FOLLOWS THIS ISSUE IN DEPTH; THE CAPACITY OF CIVIL SOCIETY IS UNDERDEVELOPED, AND THERE ARE FEW INTERNATIONAL NGOS IN SYRIA. CONSEQUENTLY, THERE ARE NO STATISTICS AVAILABLE ON THE SCOPE AND TYPE OF TRAFFICKING THAT MAY EXIST AND VERY LIMITED INSIGHT ON THE PART OF THE GOVERNMENT, THE GENERAL PUBLIC, THE DIPLOMATIC COMMUNITY AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS RESIDENT IN SYRIA INTO THE ISSUE. EMBASSIES AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS ARE THE BEST SOURCES OF INFORMATION ABOUT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN SYRIA WHO ARE POTENTIAL VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING. BASED ON OUR SOURCES AND ANECDOTAL EVIDENCE, WOMEN AND GIRLS ARE MOST AT RISK OF BEING TRAFFICKED TO AND THROUGH SYRIA FOR PROSTITUTION AND DOMESTIC LABOR. ¶3. (SBU) 27.B: MOST SOURCES QUERIED BY POST (UNHCR, INTERNATIONAL OFFICE FOR MIGRATION OTHERWISE KNOWN AS IOM, ASIAN, ARAB, AFRICAN AND EUROPEAN DIPLOMATS) DO NOT BELIEVE THAT TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS IS WIDESPREAD OR SYSTEMATIC IN SYRIA, ALTHOUGH THEY ACKNOWLEDGE IT COULD EVENTUALLY BECOME A LARGER PROBLEM. POST IS NOT AWARE OF WIDESPREAD TRAFFICKING OF SYRIANS ABROAD OR WITHIN SYRIA. NEVERTHELESS, POST HAS ANECDOTAL EVIDENCE THAT SEVERAL HUNDRED EASTERN EUROPEAN WOMEN ARE EMPLOYED AS DANCERS IN CABARETS IN UNACCEPTABLE CONDITIONS, WITH THEIR EMPLOYERS HOLDING THEIR PASSPORTS AND RESTRICTING THE NUMBER OF HOURS THAT DANCERS CAN LEAVE THE WORK PREMISES. EMPLOYERS FROM BOTH SYRIA AND THE WOMEN'S HOME COUNTRY REPORTEDLY RECRUIT THE WOMEN AS DANCERS, HAVING THEM SIGN A CONTRACT THAT STIPULATES A VERY LOW WAGE IN SYRIA WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THEY WILL BE PAID MORE UNDER THE TABLE UPON ARRIVAL. ONCE THEY ARRIVE, THE DANCERS ARE MADE TO UNDERSTAND THAT THEY CAN EARN ADDITIONAL MONEY FROM PROSTITUTION, ESPECIALLY DURING THE THREE HOURS DAILY THAT THEY ARE AUTHORIZED TO LEAVE THE CLUB. ¶4. (SBU) 27.B-CONTINUED: ADDITIONALLY, THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT AT LEAST 50,000 SOUTHEAST ASIAN AND ETHIOPIAN DOMESTIC HELPERS WORK IN SYRIA (AN ESTIMATED 40,000 FROM INDONESIA, 8,000 FROM THE PHILIPPINES, 2,000 FROM SRI LANKA AND AN UNKNOWN NUMBER FROM ETHIOPIA). THE GOVERNMENTS OF SRI LANKA, INDONESIA, AND THE PHILIPPINES BAN THEIR CITIZENS FROM TAKING EMPLOYMENT AS DOMESTIC WORKERS IN THE COUNTRY, ABSENT FORMAL MECHANISMS TO REGULATE SUCH EMPLOYMENT, ALTHOUGH AT LEAST WITH REGARD TO INDONESIANS, THE BAN IS NOT STOPPING THE FLOW OF WORKERS TO SYRIA. THERE WAS AN UNCONFIRMED NEWS REPORT IN 2006 THAT THE GOVERNMENT OF EAST TIMOR ALSO BANNED EXIT VISAS TO SYRIA FOR ITS CITIZENS WHO WERE BEING RECRUITED AS DOMESTIC LABORERS. MANY WORKERS APPARENTLY ARRIVE IN SYRIA WITH LITTLE KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THEIR EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS. EMPLOYERS ROUTINELY HOLD THE WORKERS' PASSPORTS AND REQUIRE THEM TO WORK LONG HOURS, OFTEN WITHOUT PROVIDING PRIVATE LIVING QUARTERS THAT WOULD GUARANTEE PERSONAL PRIVACY. UP UNTIL THE PM'S ISSUANCE OF DECREE 81 TO REGULATE DOMESTIC WORKER AGENCIES IN NOVEMBER 2006, THE DOMESTIC WORKERS ARRIVED IN SYRIA VIA OUTLAWED SYRIAN AGENCIES THAT ARRANGED FOR THE WOMEN TO COME TO SYRIA ON TOURIST VISAS (EITHER FOR SYRIA OR A THIRD COUNTRY IN THE REGION) THAT ARE THEN EXTENDED UPON ARRIVAL. ONE SYRIAN CONTACT ESTIMATED THAT AS MANY AS 80 DOMESTIC WORKER AGENCIES OPERATED ILLEGALLY THROUGHOUT SYRIA. SUCH AGENCIES CONTINUE TO PLACE NEWSPAPER AND TELEPHONE DIRECTORY ADVERTISEMENTS FOR THEIR SERVICES, BUT REPORTS SUGGEST IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LAW IS STARTING (SEE BELOW). ¶5. (SBU) 27.B-CONTINUED: SEPARATELY, MOST SOURCES ASSERT THAT TURMOIL IN NEIGHBORING IRAQ HAS CREATED CONDITIONS CONDUCIVE TO THE TRAFFICKING OF IRAQI WOMEN, WHICH HAS LED TO INCREASED PROSTITUTION BY IRAQI WOMEN AND GIRLS IN SYRIA, AND TO THE TRAFFICKING OF SOME WOMEN AND GIRLS TO KUWAIT, DUBAI AND LEBANON THROUGH SYRIA. THERE ARE NO ESTIMATES ON THE NUMBER OF IRAQI PROSTITUTES HERE, WHETHER THEY WERE TRAFFICKED HERE OR TURNED TO PROSTITUTION ONCE THEIR OTHER ECONOMIC MEANS OF SUPPORT RAN OUT, OR ON THE NUMBERS OF WOMEN AND GIRLS WHO ARE TRAFFICKED THROUGH SYRIA. ONE DIPLOMATIC SOURCE SUGGESTED THAT SOME IRAQIS BRING THEIR WIVES AND/OR DAUGHTERS HERE BEFORE RETURNING BACK TO IRAQ AND THAT THE IRAQI WOMEN ARE EVENTUALLY FORCED BY A LACK OF ECONOMIC MEANS TO TURN TO PROSTITUTION. (NOTE: THERE ARE NO DIRECT PROVISIONS IN SYRIAN LAWS GIVING REFUGEES THE RIGHT TO WORK. OBTAINING A WORK PERMIT IS A LENGTHY AND COMPLICATED PROCESS; REFUGEES ARE RARELY GRANTED A PERMIT.) SEPARATELY, IRAQI MEN BRING IRAQI WOMEN AND GIRLS INTO SYRIA, WHO ARE FALSELY LISTED AS WIVES AND DAUGHTERS ON THE TRAFFICKERS' PASSPORTS. THE TRAFFICKERS THEN SEEK NEW PASSPORTS FOR THE WOMEN AND GIRLS BEFORE "SELLING" THEM TO THIRD-COUNTRY NATIONALS FOR EMPLOYMENT IN THE MIDDLE EAST, SUCH AS IN LEBANON, DUBAI AND KUWAIT, ACCORDING TO A DIPLOMATIC SOURCE. THERE IS NO INFORMATION SUGGESTING THAT SYRIA IS A COUNTRY OF ORIGIN FOR TRAFFICKING. ¶6. (SBU) B-CONTINUED: THE SARG HAS TAKEN STEPS THAT INDICATE OFFICIAL AWARENESS OF THE POTENTIAL FOR GREATER TRAFFICKING TO AND FROM SYRIA, BY CREATING A COUNTER-TRAFFICKING COMMISSION IN 2005, WHICH MET AT LEAST TWICE IN LATE 2006, AND BY ISSUES OF DECREE 81 IN NOVEMBER 2006 TO REGULATE THE ACTIVITIES OF DOMESTIC WORKER AGENCIES. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW LAW, WHICH REQUIRES ALL AGENCIES TO OBTAIN A LICENSE AND PUT DOWN A USD 1 MILLION SECURITY DEPOSIT, IS REPORTEDLY JUST STARTING, ACCORDING TO CONTACTS. ONE SOURCE TOLD US THAT, AT ABOUT THE SAME TIME AS THE DECREE'S PASSAGE, SARG OFFICIALS UNCOVERED HIGH-LEVEL TRAFFICKING-RELATED CORRUPTION IN THE MINISTRY OF INTERIOR'S IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT, WHICH LED TO THE FIRING OF A NUMBER OF IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS AT HIGH LEVELS. ALTHOUGH POST COULD NOT CORROBORATE THIS REPORT, WE DID HEAR OF A WIDESPREAD SHAKE-UP IN THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT IN LATE 2006. ADDITIONALLY, THE SARG AUTHORIZED AN IOM COUNTER-TRAFFICKING CONFERENCE, WHICH WAS CO-ORGANIZED WITH THE SYRIAN MINISTRY OF INTERIOR, THAT TOOK PLACE IN FEBRUARY 2007. THE COMMISSION IS DRAFTING COUNTER-TRAFFICKING LEGISLATION, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO GO TO THE PEOPLES ASSEMBLY AFTER PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN APRIL. ¶7. (SBU) 27.C: LIMITATIONS ON THE SARG'S ABILITY TO ADDRESS TRAFFICKING INCLUDE A LACK OF RELIABLE STATISTICS ON FOREIGN MIGRATION TO SYRIA, A LACK OF WIDESPREAD AWARENESS ABOUT TRAFFICKING, INCLUDING AMONG OFFICIALS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, A LACK OF RESOURCES AND TECHNICAL CAPACITIES, AND CORRUPTION. ¶8. (SBU) 27.D: MINISTRY OF INTERIOR OFFICIALS SAID DURING THE FEBRUARY 2007 COUNTER-TRAFFICKING CONFERENCE THAT THEY DO NOT SYSTEMATICALLY MONITOR COUNTER-TRAFFICKING. RATHER, MINISTRY OFFICIALS MONITOR, FOR EXAMPLE, PROSTITUTION-RELATED OFFENSES. TO POST'S KNOWLEDGE, NONE OF THE SARG'S ASSESSMENTS RELATED TO TRAFFICKING ARE MADE AVAILABLE PUBLICLY OR PRIVATELY. -------------- PREVENTION -------------- ¶9. (SBU) 28.A: DURING AN IOM SEPTEMBER 2005 COUNTER-TRAFFICKING WORKSHOP, THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF THE INTERIOR IBRAHIM AL-MOUSALLY ACKNOWLEDGED (AS NOTED ABOVE) THAT SYRIA IS A TRANSIT COUNTRY FOR TRAFFICKING. DURING IOM'S 2007 CONFERENCE, A MEMBER OF THE GOVERNMENT'S COUNTER-TRAFFICKING COMMISSION LISTED SEVERAL LOCAL NEWSPAPER REPORTS AS SUPPORT FOR THE COMMISSION'S WORK ON NEW ANTI-TRAFFICKING LEGISLATION. ¶10. (SBU) 28.B: GOVERNMENT AGENCIES INVOLVED IN EFFORTS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO ANTI-TRAFFICKING INCLUDE THE MINISTRIES OF JUSTICE, INTERIOR, HIGHER EDUCATION, AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS AND LABOR. EACH OF THESE MINISTRIES HAS A REPRESENTATIVE ON THE SARG'S COUNTER-TRAFFICKING COMMITTEE. THE MINISTRY OF INTERIOR HAS CO-SPONSORED THE PAST TWO IOM ABOVE-MENTIONED CONFERENCES. ¶11. (SBU) 28.C: POST IS NOT AWARE OF ANY ANTI-TRAFFICKING INFORMATION OR EDUCATION CAMPAIGNS. ¶12. (SBU) 28.D: THE SARG SUPPORTS A NUMBER OF PROGRAMS WHICH SEEK TO EMPOWER THOSE SYRIANS MOST THEORETICALLY AT RISK OF TRAFFICKING (ALTHOUGH THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT SYRIANS ARE TRAFFICKED FROM SYRIA). MOST OF THESE PROGRAMS ARE ADMINISTERED THROUGH THE SYRIAN WOMEN'S UNION (SWU),A GOVERNMENT-AFFILIATED ORGANIZATION THAT MAINTAINS HEALTH CLINICS AND OFFERS COUNSELING AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR SYRIA WOMEN. SYRIA'S CONSTITUTION PROVIDES FOR EQUALITY BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN AND EQUAL PAY FOR EQUAL WORK. MOREOVER, THE GOVERNMENT SOUGHT TO OVERCOME TRADITIONAL DISCRIMINATORY ATTITUDES TOWARD WOMEN AND ENCOURAGED WOMEN'S EDUCATION BY ENSURING EQUAL ACCESS TO EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, INCLUDING UNIVERSITIES. ADDITIONALLY, THE GOVERNMENT PROVIDED FREE, PUBLIC EDUCATION TO CITIZEN CHILDREN FROM PRIMARY SCHOOL THROUGH UNIVERSITY. EDUCATION IS COMPULSORY FOR ALL CHILDREN, MALE AND FEMALE, BETWEEN THE AGES OF 6 AND 12. ACCORDING TO A 2005 JOINT STUDY BY THE UNDP AND THE SYRIAN STATE PLANNING COMMISSION, 49.6 PERCENT OF STUDENTS THROUGH THE SECONDARY LEVEL WERE FEMALE. THE SARG PERMITS IRAQI CHILDREN DISPLACED BY THE CONFLICT IN IRAQ TO ATTEND SYRIAN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOR FREE. SOME IRAQI CHILDREN IN SYRIA, HOWEVER, ARE PROBABLY NOT ATTENDING SCHOOL, FOR FEAR OF DRAWING ATTENTION TO THEIR FAMILY'S PRESENCE HERE OR FOR A LACK OF SCHOOL RECORDS AND MONEY FOR INCIDENTALS. ¶13. (SBU) 28.E: POST IS NOT AWARE OF ANY TRAFFICKING-SPECIFIC PROGRAMS OR RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN GOVERNMENT ELEMENTS AND NGOS OR OTHER RELEVANT ORGANIZATIONS TO COMBAT TRAFFICKING; HOWEVER, THE IOM AND OTHER EMBASSIES HAVE STATED IN THE PAST THAT THE SARG HAS BEEN RESPONSIVE TO AD HOC REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE ON TRAFFICKING-RELATED MATTERS. ¶14. (SBU) 28.E: THE GOVERNMENT MONITORS SYRIAS BORDERS RELATIVELY CLOSELY, BUT SHARES IMMIGRATION AND MIGRATION STATISTICS WITH NON-SARG OFFICIALS SELECTIVELY. POST IS NOT AWARE OF CURRENT SCREENING FOR POTENTIAL TRAFFICKING VICTIMS AT THE BORDER. IN 2006, IOM RECEIVED FUNDING FOR THE TRAINING OF MINISTRY OF INTERIOR IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS, AS WELL AS GOVERNMENT AUTHORIZATION TO CONDUCT THE TRAINING IN ¶2007. THE TRAINING CONTAINS A COUNTER-TRAFFICKING COMPONENT. ¶15. (SBU) 28.G: FOLLOWING IOM'S SEPTEMBER 2005 WORKSHOP, THE SARG ISSUED DECREE 5114 ON THE CREATION OF A GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE TO FORMULATE A COMPREHENSIVE DRAFT LAW TO COMBAT TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS AND TO DRAFT A SET OF RULES TO REGULATE AGENCIES THAT RECRUIT FOREIGN WORKERS TO SYRIA. POST IS NOT AWARE OF ANY OTHER ANTI-TRAFFICKING-IN-PERSONS WORKING GROUP OR SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT. POST IS NOT AWARE OF THE EXISTENCE OF AN ANTI-CORRUPTION TASK FORCE. ¶16. (SBU) 28.H: POST IS NOT AWARE OF A GOVERNMENT NATIONAL PLAN TO ADDRESS TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS. -------------- INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION OF TRAFFICKERS -------------- ¶17. (SBU) 29.A: SYRIA HAS NO LAWS THAT SPECIFICALLY PROHIBIT TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS, ALTHOUGH THERE IS A 1961 ANTI-PROSTITUTION LAW THAT IMPOSES PUNISHMENT AND INCRIMINATES BRINGING PEOPLE INTO THE COUNTRY FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROSTITUTION, ACCORDING TO A STUDY COMPILED FOR IOM BY A PROFESSOR OF INTERNATIONAL LAW AT THE UNIVERSITY OF DAMASCUS' FACULTY OF LAW. A SECURITY MOU SIGNED IN LATE 2006 BETWEEN THE SYRIAN AND IRAQI GOVERNMENTS PLEDGES TO COUNTER TRAFFICKING BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES. TRAFFICKING IS NOT SPECIFICALLY ADDRESSED IN THE SYRIAN PENAL CODE, BUT THERE ARE LEGAL TEXTS IN SYRIA THAT COULD FORM THE BASIS FOR FURTHER LEGISLATION TO COMBAT TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS, ACCORDING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF DAMASCUS STUDY. THE SYRIAN CONSTITUTION PROVIDES FOR REGULATION OF WORKING HOURS, ACCORDING TO THE STUDY. DECREE 81 OF 2006 THAT REGULATES DOMESTIC WORKER AGENCIES PROVIDES GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR EMPLOYEE CONTACTS, STIPULATING THAT WORKER RIGHTS BE RESPECTED, ESPECIALLY "PROVISION OF CLOTHING, FOOD, MEDICINE, ACCEPTABLE PLACE FOR THE SLEEP AND REST OF THE WORKER AND UNDERTAKING TO PAY OUT THE MONTHLY SALARY AT THE END OF EACH MONTH AND ....SUFFICIENT PERIODS FOR REST AND ANNUAL LEAVE AND NOT TO ABUSE OR BEAT HER UNDER THE THREAT OF JUDICIAL PROSECUTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE EXISTING LAWS AND REGULATIONS." ¶18. (SBU) 29.B: POST IS NOT AWARE OF SPECIFIC PENALTIES UNDER SYRIAN LAW FOR TRAFFICKING PEOPLE FOR SEXUAL EXPLOITATION. ¶19. (SBU) 29.C: THERE ARE NO SPECIFIC ANTI-TRAFFICKING LAWS. HOWEVER, THE 2006 DECREE STATES THAT DOMESTIC WORKER AGENCIES THAT VIOLATE THE DEGREE WOULD BE PUNISHED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE 756 OF THE GENERAL PENAL CODE, WHICH STIPULATES THAT VIOLATORS MAY BE IMPRISONED FOR AN UNDETERMINED LENGTH OF TIME AND/OR FINED UP TO 100 SYRIAN POUNDS (ABOUT USD TWO). ¶20. (SBU) 29.D: RAPE AND FORCIBLE SEXUAL ASSAULT ARE ADDRESSED IN THE 1949 PENAL CODE; PENALTIES FOR SEX CRIMES WERE REVISED IN 1985. THE MINIMUM SENTENCE FOR RAPE OR SEXUAL ASSAULT IS THREE YEARS IMPRISONMENT; THE MAXIMUM SENTENCE IS 15 YEARS--OR 21 YEARS IF THE VICTIM IS A MINOR BETWEEN THE AGES OF 12 AND 15. IF THE VICTIM IS LESS THAN 12 YEARS OLD, THE MINIMUM SENTENCE IS 15 YEARS IMPRISONMENT. HOWEVER, THE PERPETRATOR IS ABSOLVED OF ALL CRIMINAL GUILT IF HE AGREES TO MARRY THE VICTIM. IF THE VICTIM IS TOO YOUNG FOR MARRIAGE, THE RAPIST RECEIVES A LONGER PRISON SENTENCE. FOR KIDNAPPING OF WOMEN, THE PENALTY IS IMPRISONMENT FOR THREE TO SEVEN YEARS. THE PENALTY FOR DEFLOWERING A VIRGIN IS FIVE YEARS. THE PENALTY FOR MOLESTATION OF A MINOR LESS THAN FIFTEEN YEARS OF AGE IS EIGHTEEN MONTHS' IMPRISONMENT. FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO FACILITATE TRAVEL OF SYRIAN WOMEN ABROAD TO WORK AS PROSTITUTES, ARTICLE 3 OF LAW 10 OF 1961 STIPULATES IMPRISONMENT OF ONE TO FIVE YEARS AND A FINE OF 1,000 TO 5,000 SYRIAN POUNDS (ABOUT USD $20 TO $100). IF MORE THAN ONE VICTIM IS INVOLVED, OR IF THE VICTIM IS LESS THAN 16 YEARS OLD OR IS A PAID SERVANT, THE MAXIMUM SENTENCE INCREASES TO SEVEN YEARS. ¶21. (SBU) 29.E: PROSTITUTION IS ILLEGAL IN SYRIA. IN ADDITION, THE SYRIAN PENAL CODES DEBAUCHERY LAW CRIMINALIZES PROSTITUTION OF ANY KIND. PROSTITUTION IS DEFINED AS OCCURRING WHEN ANY PERSON LURES, SEDUCES, INDUCES, ASSISTS WITH, OR FACILITATES ANOTHER PERSONS COMMITMENT OF FORNICATION OR ADULTERY. THE PENALTY FOR PROSTITUTION UNDER THE PENAL CODE IS IMPRISONMENT FOR THREE MONTHS TO THREE YEARS AND PAYMENT OF A FINE OF 1,000-3,000 SYRIAN POUNDS (ABOUT $20-60). IN THE PAST, POST HAS RECEIVED ANECDOTAL REPORTS THAT CABARETS WITH DANCERS WHO DOUBLE AS PROSTITUTES OPERATE THROUGHOUT SYRIA WITH THE KNOWLEDGE OF LOCAL POLICE WHO ARE BRIBED TO IGNORE THE PROBLEM. ¶22. (SBU) 29.F: POST IS NOT AWARE OF INSTANCES IN WHICH TRAFFICKERS HAVE BEEN PROSECUTED IN SYRIA. ¶23. (SBU) 29.G: IN THE AREA OF DOMESTIC WORKERS, BOTH SYRIAN AND FOREIGN RECRUITMENT AGENCIES ILLEGALLY RECRUITED ETHIOPIANS AND SOUTHEAST ASIANS TO COME TO SYRIA FOR EMPLOYMENT. CABARETS REPORTEDLY ALSO USE LOCAL AND FOREIGN AGENTS TO RECRUIT DANCERS. WE HAVE HEARD ANECDOTAL BUT UNCONFIRMED EVIDENCE THAT IRAQI CRIMINAL GANGS MAY BE LINKED TO THE TRAFFICKING OF IRAQI WOMEN TO AND THROUGH SYRIA FOR PROSTITUTION. POST HAS NO EVIDENCE OF INVOLVEMENT BY GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS IN THESE ACTIVITIES OR OF HOW PROFITS ARE CHANNELED. ¶24. (SBU) 29.H: GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS HAVE SAID IN THE PAST THEY ACTIVELY PURSUE ILLEGAL MIGRATION CASES. WHILE THEY HAVE ASSISTED EMBASSIES AND THE IOM "BEHIND THE SCENES" WITH TRAFFICKING-RELATED ISSUES, THERE IS NO PUBLIC RECOGNITION OF THE PROBLEM OR PUBLICIZED GOVERNMENT STRATEGY TO ADDRESS IT. IN THE PAST, WESTERN EMBASSIES HAVE PROVIDED TRAINING TO SYRIAN OFFICIALS ON HOW TO RECOGNIZE, INVESTIGATE, AND PREVENT ILLEGAL MIGRATION; THE TRAINING HAS NOT SPECIFICALLY FOCUSED ON TRAFFICKING. POST IS NOT AWARE OF THE SPECIFIC TECHNIQUES USED TO MONITOR THE BORDER OR OF LAWS THAT PROHIBIT THE POLICE FROM ENGAGING IN COVERT OPERATIONS. ¶25. (SBU) 29.I: AS NOTED ABOVE, IOM HAS FUNDING AND AUTHORIZATION TO TRAIN MINISTRY OF INTERIOR IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS IN 2007 ON BORDER MANAGEMENT, INCLUDING A COMPONENT ON TRAFFICKING. ¶26. (SBU) 29.J: THE GOVERNMENT HAS INFORMALLY DISCUSSED INCIDENTS OF ILLEGAL MIGRATION WITH OTHER GOVERNMENTS THROUGH THEIR EMBASSIES IN DAMASCUS AND HAS ASSISTED FOREIGN EMBASSIES AND THE IOM WITH CASES INVOLVING TRAFFICKED INDIVIDUALS. POST IS NOT AWARE OF ANY INSTANCES OF COOPERATIVE INTERNATIONAL INVESTIGATIONS ON TRAFFICKING SPECIFICALLY. ¶27. (SBU) 29.K: POST HAS NO INFORMATION ON EXTRADITION OF TRAFFICKERS. ¶28. (SBU) 29.L: ALTHOUGH OFFICIAL POLICY IS THAT ALL NON-ARAB VISITORS TO SYRIA MUST HAVE VISAS BEFORE ARRIVING, IN THE PAST YOUNG INDONESIAN WOMEN WHO COME TO WORK AS DOMESTIC HELPERS APPARENTLY REGULARLY RECEIVE VISAS ISSUED BY MINISTRY OF INTERIOR OFFICIALS AT THE AIRPORT. IT IS NOT CLEAR HOW THE RUMORED SHAKE-UP AT THE MINISTRY OF INTERIORS IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT AND DECREE 81 WILL AFFECT THIS PRACTICE. POST IS NOT AWARE OF ANY OTHER SARG INVOLVEMENT OR TOLERANCE OF TRAFFICKING. ¶29. (SBU) 29.M: POST IS UNAWARE OF ANY EXAMPLES OF TRAFFICKING-RELATED CORRUPTION BEING PROSECUTED, BUT NOTES THE RECENT RUMORED FIRING OF IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS AT THE MINISTRY OF INTERIOR. ¶30. (SBU) 29.N: POST IS NOT AWARE OF ANY CHILD SEX TOURISM IN SYRIA. ¶31. (SBU) 29.O: SYRIA HAS SIGNED BUT NOT RATIFIED: -- UN CONVENTION AGAINST TRANSNATIONAL ORGANIZED CRIME AND THE RELATED PROTOCOL TO PREVENT, SUPPRESS, AND PUNISH TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS, ESPECIALLY WOMEN AND CHILDREN. SYRIA HAS SIGNED AND RATIFIED: -- ILO CONVENTIONS 29 AND 105 ON FORCED OR COMPULSORY LABOR; -- ILO CONVENTION 182 CONCERNING THE PROHIBITION AND IMMEDIATE ACTION FOR THE ELIMINATION OF THE WORST FORMS OF CHILD LABOR; -- THE CONVENTION ON THE ELIMINATION OF ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN IN 2002, WITH RESERVATIONS TO 15 ARTICLES; -- CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD (BUT HAS NOT SIGNED THE OPTIONAL PROTOCOL ON THE SALE OF CHILDREN, CHILD PROSTITUTION, AND CHILD PORNOGRAPHY). ¶32. (SBU) 30.A: THE GOVERNMENT HAS LIMITED MEANS AND DOES NOT HAVE DEDICATED SHELTERS FOR TRAFFICKING VICTIMS NOR DOES IT PROVIDE COUNSELING OR LEGAL ASSISTANCE. SUCH SERVICES ARE LIMITED IN SYRIA, AND ARE PRIMARILY PROVIDED THROUGH RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS AND CHARITY GROUPS. (FOR EXAMPLE, POST IS AWARE THAT THE INDONESIAN EMBASSY HAS A SHELTER WITH 10 ROOMS ON ITS EMBASSY GROUNDS IN THE EVENT THAT A WOMAN ESCAPES TO THE EMBASSY SEEKING ASSISTANCE.) JUVENILE VICTIMS OF RAPE OR SEXUAL ASSAULT, AS WELL AS MINORS ACCUSED OF PROSTITUTION, ARE HOUSED IN DEDICATED JUVENILE DETENTION FACILITIES, WHICH PROVIDE HEALTH CARE AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING. IOM IS SEEKING FUNDING TO TRAIN WORKERS FOR A SHELTER FOR TRAFFICKING VICTIMS THAT WOULD BE ESTABLISHED BY THE MINISTRY OF SOCIAL AFFAIRS AND LABOR. SEPARATELY, DURING THE 2006 HIZBALLAH-ISRAEL CONFLICT, THE SYRIAN GOVERNMENT GRANTED ENTRY TO AND HELPED FACILITATE THE TEMPORARY STAY AND THEN VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION OF AN ESTIMATED 13,000 THIRD-COUNTRY NATIONALS FROM A NUMBER OF COUNTRIES, ACCORDING TO IOM. DIPLOMATIC CONTACTS IN SYRIA NOTE THAT SOME OF THESE THIRD-COUNTRY NATIONALS WERE ILLEGAL WORKERS EMPLOYED IN LEBANON. ¶33. (SBU) 30.B: ACCORDING TO EMBASSY SOURCES, THE SARG DOES NOT PROVIDE FUNDING TO FOREIGN OR DOMESTIC NGOS FOR PROVISION OF SERVICES TO VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING, ALTHOUGH IT DOES SUPPORT THE SYRIAN WOMENS UNIONS EFFORTS TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY RELIEF AND EDUCATION AND TRAINING TO WOMEN IN SYRIA. ¶34. (SBU) 30.C: POST HAS NO INFORMATION ON THE TREATMENT OF TRAFFICKED PERSONS WHO COME TO THE CUSTODY OF POLICE OFFICIALS. POST IS NOT AWARE OF A REFERRAL PROCESS FOR VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING. ¶35. (SBU) 30.D: THERE ARE NO SPECIFIC COUNTER-TRAFFICKING LAWS IN SYRIA THAT PROVIDE FOR THE RIGHTS OF VICTIMS. POST HAS NO SPECIFIC DETAILS ON THE TREATMENT OF VICTIMS. ¶36. (SBU) 30.E: POST IS NOT AWARE OF ANY EXAMPLES OF VICTIMS PARTICIPATING IN THE INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION OF TRAFFICKERS. DECREE 81 REQUIRES DOMESTIC WORKER AGENCIES TO PUT DOWN A USD 1 MILLION GUARANTEE, WHICH SOME CONTACTS ASSERT COULD BE USED FOR A VICTIM RESTITUTION PROGRAM. ¶37. (SBU) 30.F: POST HAS NO INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROTECTION PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNMENT FOR VICTIMS AND WITNESSES OF TRAFFICKING. ¶38. (SBU) 30.G: THERE IS NO SPECIALIZED TRAINING FOR SYRIAN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS IN HOW TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO TRAFFICKED VICTIMS. THERE IS NO TRAINING FOR SYRIAN EMBASSY AND CONSULATE PERSONNEL SERVING ABROAD. WE ARE UNAWARE OF ANY EFFORTS BY THE MFA TO ENCOURAGE EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES TO DEVELOP ONGOING RELATIONSHIPS WITH ANY NGOS, INCLUDING THOSE THAT SERVE TRAFFICKED VICTIMS. ¶39. (SBU) 30.H: POST IS UNAWARE OF INSTANCES OF SYRIANS BEING TRAFFICKED. POST IS LIKEWISE UNAWARE OF GOVERNMENT EFFORTS TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO ANY REPATRIATED SYRIAN NATIONALS WHO ARE VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING. ¶40. (SBU) 30.I: THERE ARE VERY FEW INTERNATIONAL NGO'S OPERATING IN SYRIA. RELIEF AND SOCIAL SERVICES ARE PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNMENT-CONTROLLED SYRIAN WOMEN'S UNION AND RELIGIOUS AND CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS. THE IOM HAS WORKED ON AN INFORMAL BASIS WITH TRAFFICKING VICTIMS WHO HAVE CONTACTED THEIR OFFICES SEEKING ASSISTANCE. AS NOTED ABOVE, IOM ALSO ORGANIZED WITH THE SYRIAN MINISTRY OF INTERIOR COUNTER-TRAFFICKING WORKSHOPS IN SEPTEMBER 2005 AND FEBRUARY 2007 TO SUPPORT THE SARG IN EFFORTS TO DRAFT COUNTER-TRAFFICKING LEGISLATION. CORBIN