USG Defends Belarus TIP Ranking Despite GOB Disappointment

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MINSK 000541 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL KCRM KWMN BO SUBJECT: USG Defends Belarus TIP Ranking Despite GOB Disappointment Ref: State 78615 Summary -------------- ¶1. (SBU) Following the release of the Department's Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, Ambassador hosted a digital video conference with G/TIP Ambassador Mark Lagon for those involved in combating TIP in Belarus. The participants discussed Belarus' Tier 2 Watch List (T2WL) placement, steps the GOB can take to improve its ranking, the root causes for TIP in Belarus, and the level of cooperation between independent NGOs and the GOB. Given tense nature of U.S.-Belarus relations, Ambassador Lagon stressed that the report is the USG's objective assessment of the GOB's anti-TIP efforts and that Belarus' T2WL placement was not a political vendetta. However, during a demarche to the GOB before the TIP report's release, the MFA expressed its disappointment with Belarus' ranking and highlighted what it considers to be Belarus' significant anti-TIP efforts. End Summary. Anti-TIP Activists Discuss Belarus TIP Report with G/TIP via DVC -------------- ¶2. (SBU) On June 19, Ambassador hosted a digital video conference (DVC) with G/TIP Ambassador Mark Lagon for independent journalists and representatives from NGOs, international organizations, and the GOB who combat trafficking in persons (TIP) in Belarus. The participants discussed the recently released TIP report, Belarus' Tier Two Watch List (T2WL) placement, and steps the GOB can take to improve its ranking. Given the tense nature of U.S.-Belarus relations, Ambassador Lagon stressed that the report is the USG's objective assessment of the GOB's anti-TIP efforts and that Belarus' T2WL placement was not a political vendetta. As an example, he cited Zimbabwe's improved tier ranking this year despite its strained relationship with the United States. ¶3. (SBU) Ambassador Lagon commended Belarus for its prosecution and investigation efforts -- including the recent opening of the Interior Ministry's Anti-TIP Academy -- but also emphasized the need for the GOB to devote more attention to protection and prevention at home. Responding to Ambassador Stewart's question about the GOB's emphasis on international efforts in combating TIP, Ambassador Lagon acknowledged that international conferences and multi-lateral cooperation are important to bring together countries but they should complement and not substitute domestic efforts to combat TIP. ¶4. (SBU) International Organization for Migration Representative Natalya Zhak noted that the root causes of TIP in Belarus were poor economic conditions. She told Ambassador that NGOs and international organizations have held several economic training opportunities for potential TIP victims, but she added that the state employment agencies should be more involved in this prevention effort. ¶5. (SBU) When Ambassador Lagon inquired about GOB and independent civil society cooperation, Young Women's Christian Association Head Irina Alkovka praised the good level of cooperation between the GOB and anti-TIP NGOs, particularly when compared to the GOB's support of independent NGOs in other spheres. However, since the GOB does not officially recognize NGOs as partners, Alkovka expressed her hope for more formalized cooperation with the GOB. Ministry of Interior (MOI) Anti-TIP Academy Representative Maksim Shrub told Ambassador Lagon that as far as he knows, the GOB and NGOs have a good history of cooperation. According to Shrub, the GOB plans to build on this relationship by inviting NGOs and IOs to share their expertise at the new Anti-TIP Academy. GOB Expresses Their Disappointment with TIP Report -------------- ¶6. (SBU) During our June 12 demarche (reftel),MFA Department of Humanitarian Affairs Counselor Andrey Taranda relayed the GOB's disappointment with Belarus' placement on the T2WL. Taranda insisted that the TIP report did not fully take into account the measures taken by the GOB to combat trafficking. Noting the UN resolution introduced by Belarus and the GOB's monetary contributions to the UN's interagency coordination group, Taranda asked, "What other eastern European country has done as much as Belarus in this field?" ¶7. (SBU) To counter the USG's allegation of Belarus' failure to fund programs aimed at protecting victims, Taranda argued that Belarus is a developing country with very limited resources. He highlighted Belarus' relatively sizable contribution of USD 20,000 to UN Office on Drug and Crime for anti-trafficking enforcement measures. In addition, Taranda claimed that the USG's failure to maintain regular contact with MOI representatives was the reason why MINSK 00000541 002 OF 002 the GOB did not report TIP-specific statistics as requested. Taranda offered to coordinate more meetings with the MOI throughout the year to ensure that the Embassy gathers the information it needs for next year's TIP. [Note: Post invited Taranda to attend the DVC, but he declined the invitation. End note.] Comment -------------- ¶8. (SBU) We hope Taranda's absence at the DVC does not mean his call to further dialogue was insincere. Despite his absence, the event was an excellent opportunity to flesh out for the independent media the USG's decision to place Belarus on the T2WL and to hear independent civil society representatives' perspectives on Belarus' progress in fighting TIP. Post expresses its appreciation to Ambassador Lagon and G/TIP for agreeing to participate. Stewart