INTERIM TIP ASSESSMENT FOR GEORGIA

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TBILISI 002800

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/PGI, G-ACBLANK,G/TIP, AND EUR/CARC

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL SMIG KCRM KWMN GG
SUBJECT: INTERIM TIP ASSESSMENT FOR GEORGIA

REF: SECSTATE 146300


1. (U) Summary: This interim assessment (reftel) covers
Georgia's continuing strides against trafficking-in-persons
(A-TIP) since April, 2007. Georgia aggressively investigates
and prosecutes human traffickers. The country's proactive
identification of TIP victims is improving, thanks to more
A-TIP staff and additional training. The National Referral
Mechanism (NRM) was consistently implemented in every TIP
case identified in the reporting cycle. The National
Strategy for Rehabilitation and Reintegration (SRR) of TIP
victims, adopted in July 2007, is the natural extension to
the NRM. It ensures follow-on service to TIP victims through
the State Fund to Protect and Aid TIP victims. The Georgian
government has increased its A-TIP capabilities, budget, and
victim assistance programs. It has fully maintained its
excellent cooperation with A-TIP NGOs and its extremely
active TIP prevention campaign. End Summary.


2. (U) On November 7, the Prosecutor General's (PG) office
reported investigations into 16 possible TIP cases since
April 1. Of these, 11 cases allegedly involve internal
trafficking (six involve the sale of children for adoption,
three labor exploitation, and two sexual exploitation.)
Seven of the 16 cases involve external trafficking, mainly
for sexual exploitation in Turkey. These investigations are
ongoing. Since April 1, 13 persons were being detained and
charged by the PG for TIP crimes (cases were initiated in
previous year/s.) In the 9 cases submitted to court, 12
judgments were handed down. The average sentence given was
13-14 years in prison. Additionally, 17 Mutual Legal
Assistance Requests for TIP investigations have been
processed (countries include Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and
Ukraine.) In May, Georgia's Parliament enacted a new law
criminalizing the use of services of a TIP victim.


3. (U) Georgia has significantly increased its efforts to
proactively identify TIP victims. Four new Special
Operations Department (SOD) officers were appointed to the
A-TIP unit. The Unit's 32 members are located throughout the
country. They actively research and investigate possible TIP
activity/information (incl. overseas employment ads.) All
new police recruits undergo basic A-TIP training in the
police academy. Border Police and SOD undergo advanced
training. UNODC, NATO-sponsored Turkish trainers,
WorldVision Georgia, ABA-CEELI and other organizations have
provided specialized A-TIP training (incl. victim/witness
protection) to more than 100 policemen, SOD officers, border
guards, and prosecutors since April 1. In a "train the
trainers" program in December, IOM will teach advanced TIP
victim interviewing and identification techniques to 30
prosecutors and policemen. More and more of Georgia's peace
officers are watching out for TIP, raising awareness, and
relaying suspicious activity to SOD investigators. Several
border checkpoints are being built, or refurbished, which
will also strengthen screening for potential TIP victims.


4. (U) The NRM is overseen by the Interagency Coordination
Council (ICC) to combat TIP. The ICC maintains two mobile
groups to meet and interview alleged TIP victims anywhere in
Georgia, at any time. The NRM is enacted every time a TIP
crime is investigated by law enforcement or a referral is
made to the State Fund to Protect and Aid TIP Victims (i.e.
by a third-party.) It makes no difference if the TIP victim
cooperates with a criminal investigation or not. Either the
SOD or the ICC's Permanent Group can grant "statutory" TIP
victim status, based on investigations or the mobile group's
findings. This status provides the victim access to all
State Fund services. In the 16 TIP cases since April 1, 19
victims have been granted status. Of these, 15 have chosen
to cooperate in investigations. In this period, the mobile
group has met nine times with 10 persons. The new SRR has
normalized how the State Fund provides services for TIP
victims. Now, victims can choose what assistance they need
(medical, shelter, financial, legal, etc.),and it is readily
provided. The State Fund works consistently with NGOs to
ensure even non-statutory victims receive assistance. To
expand the NRM's capabilities, Georgia spent USD 30,600 to
open a second TIP victim shelter in September in Tbilisi.
Georgia's shelters can now accommodate up to 20 victims, in
Eastern and Western Georgia. Currently, 8 TIP victims and
two (non-statutory) children are housed in the shelters. The
SOD, Public Defender, and numerous NGOs know how to use the
NRM.


5. (U) Georgia raised the State Fund's budget to USD 180,000
this year, and will raise it by 50 percent in 2008. The ICC
maintains a TIP victim hotline throughout the country and
distributes A-TIP pamphlets with passports and at border
crossings. High school curricula include TIP awareness
training. In conjunction with NGOs, the ICC kicked off a new

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PSA campaign and has sponsored numerous A-TIP TV and radio
programs. They have conducted multiple public awareness
events, including two at local universities. The ICC
continues to work together with numerous other NGOs and
agencies, including Georgian Young Lawyers Association, IOM,
IOL, OSCE, WorldVision, and the Anti-Violence Network.
TEFFT