INTERIM TIP ASSESSMENT FOR BELARUS

UNCLAS MINSK 000944 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/PGI, G (BLANK),G/TIP, EUR/UMB E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL SMIG KCRM KWMN BO SUBJECT: INTERIM TIP ASSESSMENT FOR BELARUS Ref: State 146300 Summary -------------- ¶1. This interim assessment (reftel) covers Belarus' continuing efforts against trafficking in persons (TIP) since April, 2007. GOB action on TIP has seen marked, if uneven, improvement in this period. The GOB has provided increased in-kind resources to TIP-related NGOs, and has improved relations and increased cooperation with them. Though the government-run hotline still does not offer a large range of services to potential victims, authorities do cooperate with, and refer callers to, the more effective NGO hotlines. Some progress has been made in preventing coercion of victims to testify in investigations. There is no evidence of government collusion in trafficking. With the opening of the anti-TIP training section of the National Police Academy, the GOB has shown initiative in training officers to deal more effectively with TIP and to assist victims. End summary. Increasing Resources Devoted to Victim Assistance -------------- -------------- ¶2. Although there has been little noticeable difference in direct government funding for victim assistance and protection in Belarus, the GOB has made several in-kind assistance efforts and has made administrative matters significantly easier for NGOs. The NGO Radislava reported receiving anewly-renovated building free of charge with fre utilities from the authorities in return for an greement to open a new shelter for victims of traficking and domestic violence, and the Red Cross eported receiving favorable leasing terms and prcing for its facilities. Government sources staed that NGOs also receive waivers for customs dutie. The Ministry of Interior has invested consideable resources in its newly-established anti-TIPsection of the National Police Academy, financin 90 percent of its startup costs. The TIP Academywill train at least one TIP specialist for each o the 156 police districts throughout the countryin law-enforcement, victim assistance and protecion. Belarusian Embassy Consular Sections have epatriated several victims from the Gulf States an the Caucasus region. The Ministry of Interior hs also contributed USD 40,000 for conferences spnsored by the International Organization for Migation (IOM),and often also provides transportatio, security, and lodging for participants. NGOs ave reported close cooperation from authorities i distributing educational materials. Authoritiessupported distribution of public service announcemnts produced by the Red Cross and IOM, airing thm on state television and on television screens t subway stops free of charge. Continuing Effort to Improve Relations and Encourage NGOs -------------- -------------- 3 Several TIP-related NGOs have reported improved elations with authorities, and the government ha begun to publicly acknowledge the work of local GOs. IOM mentioned a marked improvement in relaions with government entities during the past two ears. While the authorities are still generallydistrustful of NGOs, they have increased cooperaion with TIP-specific NGOs and are showing a moreopen and cooperative attitude. In the past, when OM or other international NGOs submitted proposas for new projects for mandatory registration, athorities often directed them to eliminate refernces to local NGO partners. However, this year the began to allow mention of partner NGOs in the paperwork, and the Ministry of Interior now even publicly acknowledges local NGO participation in high-profile projects. In April 2007, the Minister of Interior mentioned the participation of eight local NGOs in a policy speech, a significant step considering that as recently as November 2006 he avoided all references to such NGOs in public addresses. Ensuring Victims Are Not Pressured to Assist Investigations -------------- -------------- ¶4. Several NGOs have reported an improvement in the area of victim coercion, though there are still reports that pressure to cooperate with investigations does occasionally occur with less experienced officers at the local level. Official policy forbids coercion of victims, and it appears that this is taken seriously by Ministry of Interior leadership, though the policy is still being assimilated by the ranks. The State Border Committee now allows IOM to take and shelter victims for several days before calling in investigators. The issue of pressuring victims is one area that the TIP Academy plans to emphasize during its training of local TIP-specialist police officers. Investigating Public Officials -------------- ¶5. All of Post's sources on TIP, both GOB and non-governmental, have stated that there appears to be little if any complicity of government officials at any level in trafficking. Though there have been reports of local border guards taking bribes to enable smuggling of goods into the country, there have been no reports of TIP-related bribery. Limited Efficacy of Government Hotlines -------------- ¶6. The Ministry of Interior continues to run one hotline, though its single goal is to offer information regarding the licensing status and legitimacy of agencies involved in work and study abroad. Even the Ministry acknowledges that NGO-run hotlines are more effective at providing a broader range of services, and that they refer callers to them. La Strada and IOM have reported very strong cooperation between the government hotline and their own hotlines in Minsk and Brest. A La Strada official acknowledged that it would be ideal for callers to receive all necessary information in one call, but does admit that the government hotline refers all callers to them and that authorities do not hinder or interfere with their work. Stewart