Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07TASHKENT1710
2007-09-28 11:02:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tashkent
Cable title:  

BUKHARA TIP SHELTER MAKES INROADS

Tags:  PHUM EAID PGOV PREL KCRM UZ 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO0977
RR RUEHDBU
DE RUEHNT #1710/01 2711102
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 281102Z SEP 07
FM AMEMBASSY TASHKENT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8538
INFO RUEHAH/AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT 3308
RUEHTA/AMEMBASSY ASTANA 9496
RUEHEK/AMEMBASSY BISHKEK 3922
RUEHDBU/AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE 3787
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TASHKENT 001710 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR G/TIP (BRITTANY BROWN),INL (ANDREW BUHLER);
ASTANA FOR ALMATY/USAID

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/28/2017
TAGS: PHUM EAID PGOV PREL KCRM UZ
SUBJECT: BUKHARA TIP SHELTER MAKES INROADS

REF: TASHKENT 1652

Classified By: POLOFF TIM BUCKLEY FOR REASONS 1.4 (B, D)

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TASHKENT 001710

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR G/TIP (BRITTANY BROWN),INL (ANDREW BUHLER);
ASTANA FOR ALMATY/USAID

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/28/2017
TAGS: PHUM EAID PGOV PREL KCRM UZ
SUBJECT: BUKHARA TIP SHELTER MAKES INROADS

REF: TASHKENT 1652

Classified By: POLOFF TIM BUCKLEY FOR REASONS 1.4 (B, D)


1. (C) Summary. Poloff visited a shelter in Bukhara that has
assisted 45 female TIP victims since its opening in 2006.
Funding from International Organization for Migration (IOM)
has supported the shelter's operation as well as enabled the
Istiqbolli Avlod NGO to conduct awareness training among
local police and government officials as well as to at-risk
youth. The director of the shelter and the NGO office has
experience working in the city government on women's issues
and uses her extensive connections to help victims and
increase official support for her work. Poloff presented a
copy of a Trafficking-in-Persons film with Russian subtitles
that they plan to use in local events to increase awareness.
End summary.


2. (C) On September 21 poloff visited the "Rehabilitation
Center" in Bukhara, one of two TIP shelters in Uzbekistan, as
well as the offices of Istiqbolli Avlod, an NGO focusing on
TIP issues. While it is a locally registered NGO, Istiqbolli
Avlod works closely with the Tashkent organization of the
same name and relies on IOM for funding. Since its opening
one year ago (2006),the shelter has already assisted 45 TIP
victims. At the time of poloff's visit, the census was 4
women, one of whom has a toddler who also stays at the
shelter. The minimum stay is two ees but typically TIP
victims stay a few months. Ms. Abira Khuseynova, the
Director, noted that all of the women require medical
treatment upon their return to Uzbekistan (usually after
deportation from abroad),and venereal diseases are common.
Unlike the Tashkent shelter, which often meets TIP victims at
the airport, the Bukhara shelter generally receives calls on
a hotline from returned victims or often from their mothers.
The hotline number is regularly advertised in newspapers and
posted in public spaces such as bus stops throughout the
Bukhara region. The office is staffed by the director, a
youth outreach coordinator, a lawyer, and a telephone
operator. The shelter employs a doctor, nurse, psychologist,
a coordinator, and a security guard.


3. (C) Khusenova is a highly qualified director and
well-connected to local authorities. She has a PhD and
formerly worked in the Bukhara City Government (Hokimiyat) as
Director of Women's Affairs. She says she still has
connections to many people in the local government, which has
helped lend the new shelter credibility and visibility in
Bukhara. As an academic, she has also been able to use her
connections to get TIP victims enrolled in the medical
institute at reduced or waived tuition rates. This is
important since the women often have no skills or
opportunities in Bukhara.


4. (C) Khusenova reports that a few years ago the local
government did not even know what TIP was, but now that they
have conducted several major events local officials and
police have a good understanding of the problem. Pictures of
police participating in awareness programs hang on the office
walls, and Khusenova stated USG funding for these programs
"has made a big difference". She added that there is also
greater understanding among prosecutors and within the
Ministry of Internal Affairs. However, she worries whether
funding from the USG to IOM will be sustained, as the shelter
is entirely dependent on this support. She noted the local
government "strives to help and support us", but has not
provided any financial assistance.


5. (C) One woman in the shelter of Russian ethnicity had been
trafficked to Thailand as a sex worker, which is not an
unusual destination. Other common destinations for Bukhara
women include the UAE, Russia, and Kazakhstan. Khusenova
said that the women are generally told by recruiters that
they will go abroad to work as nannys or housekeepers, and
they do not have any idea they will end up as sex workers.
She mentioned that, despite their efforts to help the women,
up to 10% of the clients end up "with problems", sometimes
including a return to prostitution.


6. (C) Poloff presented a copy of a Trafficking-in-Persons
film (courtesy of PAS),which includes Russian subtitles,
that was recently screened at Embassy Tashkent to rave
reviews. The shelter staff was thrilled to receive their own
copy, and said they will definitely plan local events to

TASHKENT 00001710 002 OF 002


share with at-risk youth in Bukhara.


NORLAND