INFLUENTIAL DEPUTY PREDICTS PUBLICATION

UNCLAS MAPUTO 001060 SIPDIS SIPDIS AF/S FOR MSHIELDS G/TIP FOR RYOUSEY SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KCRM PHUM KWMN SMIG ELAB KFRD MZ SUBJECT: INFLUENTIAL DEPUTY PREDICTS PUBLICATION OF TIP LAW BY APRIL 2008 REF: MAPUTO 886 ¶1. (U) Poloff met recently with Ossumane Aly Dauto, Chairman of the National AssemblyQs powerful Legal Affairs and Human Rights Committee, to encourage the Mozambican government (GRM) to pass a comprehensive anti-trafficking law, which would be the first of its kind in Southern Africa. After being forwarded by the Council of Ministers to the National Assembly in July (see reftel),the legislation is now being considered by DautoQs committee, which is responsible for evaluating the legality of all draft legislation. Once approved by the committee, the legislation must be approved by the full National Assembly and promulgated by President Guebuza before being published as law. ¶2. (SBU) Poloff reiterated the importance of swiftly passing a comprehensive law, which could serve as an example to neighboring countries and reminded Dauto of the collaborative relationship between the GRM and USG as evidenced by USG technical assistance in drafting the law. Poloff referenced the DepartmentQs annual TIP report and stressed that passing a law would significantly help the GRM raise its TIP ranking, which fell to Watch List in the most recent report. Dauto was receptive to the visit and related that he had recently received a group of NGOs in July who were also lobbying the committee for a quick passage of the law. He concluded the meeting by estimating the law would be published in March or April 2008. ¶3. (SBU) COMMENT: Dauto is a powerful Frelimo Congressman who has served as the only Chairman of the Legal Affairs and Human Rights Committee since the first multi-party elections in 1994. Prior to that, he was the Minister of Justice for eight years. His mention of a specific date for passage of the TIP law is significant and encouraging. It is a conversation we will reference as we continue to engage both the GRM and the National Assembly to ensure swift passage of the TIP legislation. CHAPMAN