DJIBOUTI MAKES TIP PROGRESS, CABINET APPROVES

C O N F I D E N T I A L DJIBOUTI 001147 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR AF/E STATE FOR G/TIP LONDON, PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/10/2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM PINR DJ SUBJECT: DJIBOUTI MAKES TIP PROGRESS, CABINET APPROVES ANTI-TRAFFICKING LEGISLATION Classified By: Pol/Econ Christopher B. Patch for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d ) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY. Djibouti's Council of Ministers approved a comprehensive anti-trafficking draft law on October 2, and have presented it to the National Assembly for adoption. A foreign national convicted of pedophilia was recaptured by police, after fleeing the country on bail, and subsequently jailed. Police discovered a wider pedophilia network after two victims filed complaints, leading to the arrest of two Djiboutians and 10 other foreign nationals summoned for questioning. NGOs and the government-run girls' orphanage report engagement with government officials to assist street women and children, but acknowledge more funding and facilities are required. END SUMMARY. -------------- PREVENTION -------------- ¶2. (C) The President of Djibouti and the Council of Ministers met on October 2 and approved a draft of a comprehensive anti-trafficking law. The law was forwarded to the National Assembly, which opened the final session this week, for discussion and adoption. The approved text included definitions of punishable acts and a jurisdictional framework. The law completes the regulatory framework needed to combat trafficking. ¶3. (C) The Council's approval of this anti-trafficking law has been heavily publicized. On October 3, the entire front page of "La Nation," Djibouti's only daily newspaper, was dominated by an article on the new law. It sent a clear message to both security forces and citizens of government intent to combat trafficking in persons. -------------- PROSECUTION -------------- ¶4. (C) In a meeting with the Minister of Interior, the AMB was informed that a foreign national previously convicted of sexually abusing two boys had been recaptured. Earlier, he had fled the country while on bail. When he returned, he was apprehended and sent to prison. Poloff confirmed story with other contacts. The Attorney General's office also announced that it has opened an investigation dating back to the 1990s into a pedophilia network after two victims filed complaints of sexual exploitation earlier this year. Police searched the homes of the accused network organizers and arrested two foreign nationals after finding evidence of pedophilia. -------------- PROTECTION -------------- ¶5. (C) AMB and Emboffs met with three NGOs and the director of the government-run girls' orphanage to discuss the types of facilities that are available to help victims of trafficking, prostitution, or those living on the street. All NGOs reported that resources exist within their individual locations to assist women and children. They also reported that they are engaged with the GODJ in determining better ways to deal with cope with the influx of immigrants from neighboring countries. However, both the NGOs and the GODJ acknowledge a lack of facilities and funding to assist more children. ¶6. (C) COMMENT. At the highest level, the GODJ is committed to making progress on TIP. This is reflected in the recent actions reported here and in private undertakings. Post thanks Rachel Yousey for her timely input in response to GODJ questions. Given resource constraints here, Djibouti will need continued support in order to maintain momentum, especially in the area of protection. SYMINGTON