TIP INTERIM ASSESSMENT FOR CYPRUS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NICOSIA 000915 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR G/TIP, EUR/PGI, EUR/SE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KCRM KWMN PHUM PGOV PREL SMIG CY SUBJECT: TIP INTERIM ASSESSMENT FOR CYPRUS REF: A. SECSTATE 146300 ¶B. NICOSIA 00661 ¶C. NICOSIA 00881 ¶1. The Republic of Cyprus (RoC) has made progress in combating trafficking in persons since the end of last year's TIP reporting period (March 1, 2007). It passed comprehensive anti-TIP legislation and ratified the Council of Europe Convention for Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings, completed the first phase of a demand-reduction campaign, and donated funds to help NGOs combat trafficking. TIP contacts report that the government-owned shelter for trafficking victims is undergoing finishing touches and will open by the end of November. Convicted traffickers are receiving longer prison sentences, and high-level officials have called publicly for the abolishment of the "artiste" work permit, a promising development. ¶2. Responses are keyed to questions posed in Ref A: A) Status of Passage of Comprehensive anti-TIP legislation: On July 13, the RoC enacted a new, comprehensive anti-trafficking law which defines and criminalizes all severe forms of trafficking. The new law also provides for a one-month reflection period for victims of trafficking (Ref B). Furthermore, on October 5 the RoC became the 10th EU member-state to ratify the Council of Europe Convention for Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings (Law 38 (II)/ 2007). In doing so, Cyprus brought the Convention into force for the entire European Union. B) Government Provision of More Dedicated Resources for the Protection of Trafficking Victims (including the opening of a Government-run TIP Victim Shelter): Financial Assistance and Other Dedicated Resources - The Cypriot Social Welfare Office assisted 60 victims of trafficking from March - October 2007. Social Welfare provided shelter for 22 victims in state-run eldercare facilities, and offered financial assistance to 38 victims residing in other accommodations. The office also provides victims with psychological counseling and guidance on their rights and entitlements (several Embassy sources claim that delivery of said services is sporadic, however.) In addition, the RoC is working with and funding Cypriot NGOs involved in anti-trafficking efforts (Ref C). For example, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) recently allocated 10,000 CYP ($25,000) to NGO STIGMA, which runs the island's only shelter for trafficking victims. The Shelter - The Ministry of Interior (MoI) claims that the government-run TIP victim shelter will open its doors by the end of November 2007. Physically, the structure is ready to open; the remaining impediment, MFA and MOI contacts claim, is a procurement technicality regarding MoJ-mandated security cameras. C) Demand for More Trafficking Convictions and Longer Sentences: Since its July 13 passage, there have been three cases prosecuted under the new anti-trafficking law; two are pending trial, and one is still under police investigation. Over the entire March 1 - November 15 reporting period, the RoC National Police Anti-TIP unit reported ten convictions for trafficking and prostitution-related cases (in comparison, there were 20 convictions from March 1, 2006 to March 1, 2007). In the current period, the sentences given to traffickers ranged from a CYP 150 fine to 3.5 years imprisonment, compared to a maximum sentence of two years given last year. D) Reducing the number of "Artiste"-category Work Permits: The number of "artiste"-category work permits issued declined fractionally compared to the prior period. According to the Police, 2279 artiste work/residency permits were issued March 1 - November 15, as compared to 3367 during the March 1, 2006 - March 1, 2007 period. On November 6, MoI Permanent Secretary Lazaros Savvides pledged publicly to abolish SIPDIS "artiste" permits altogether. Further, working level MoI contacts told us November 14 that President Tassos Papadopoulos had ordered the Ministry to study urgently the effective abolition of the "artiste" permit by harmonizing its procedures, requirements, and demands with all other types of nonimmigrant visas. E) Demand Reduction Campaign: The RoC recently completed the first phase of a demand-reduction campaign originally launched in March, printing and distributing 50,000 flyers and 800 posters. The MoI also procured translation/re-broadcast rights to two UN-produced, anti-TIP NICOSIA 00000915 002 OF 002 spots and aired them on state TV. The government has allocated an additional CYP 24,000 in FY 2008 for the second phase of the campaign, which should launch in January 2008. MoI officials are pressing other ministries to increase their own funding for anti-TIP efforts. In addition, the MoJ allotted CYP 4,000 for a joint public awareness campaign by the Mediterranean Institute of Gender Studies, the NGO Action for Equality, Support, and Anti-racism, and the Association for the Prevention and Handling of Violence in the Family. F) Other Developments: -- The Police Academy has offered four specialized seminars to train officers in recognizing, investigating and prosecuting TIP cases under the new law. The Anti-trafficking unit participated in two five-day seminars (in June and November) at the European Police College, CEPOL. -- Via Interpol, the Police assisted in 11 trafficking cases earlier initiated in non-EU countries, and via Europol, in seven cases. -- Seven police officers face sanctions for involvement in TIP-related corruption in two separate cases. Six face internal disciplinary actions, while the seventh faces criminal charges. SCHLICHER