GOG CONTINUES ITS ANTI-TIP PUBLIC OUTREACH

UNCLAS TBILISI 000431 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/CARC, G/TIP, DRL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL GG RU SUBJECT: GOG CONTINUES ITS ANTI-TIP PUBLIC OUTREACH ¶1. (U) On February 27, Poloff participated in a GOG sponsored presentation on anti-trafficking in persons (TIP) at the University of Foreign Languages -- the second event held in Tbilisi this month. The presentation included a showing of the Frontline documentary titled "Sex-Slave" to an audience of over 50 students. The documentary followed three investigative journalists who were tracking TIP victims from Ukraine to Turkey, and highlighted the different tactics used by the traffickers to lure in their victims. Following the film, a question and answer session was led by Mari Meskhi, Director of the GOG's State Fund for Victim Protection and Assistance (SFVPA),representatives from the Embassy and local and international NGOs. Following numerous questions about the GOG's role in anti-TIP and public outreach, the students were pleased to find out that the SFVPA planned to expand the program to universities outside of Tbilisi. ¶2. (U) During the dialogue students raised questions about the prosecution of those found guilty of TIP, the role of border guards in prevention, and how Georgia's consular sections abroad combat and prevent TIP. One student suggested a special diplomatic component inside the consular section be created to focus on TIP document fraud, and to monitor known brothels/night clubs in countries with a high-rate of trafficked women from Georgia. Meskhi noted the suggestion and commented that further work needs to be done on all levels of interstate cooperation when it comes to TIP, specifically citing problems with extradition. Meskhi also mentioned that initial language is being drafted by the Prosecutor General's Office to make patronage of TIP victims illegal and punishable under the law. ¶3. (U) Comment: The continued efforts of the SFVPA and Prosecutor General's Office to increase public awareness about the perils of TIP is a step in the right direction. We will continue to support GOG efforts to increase anti-TIP public awareness. It should be noted that the GOG's 2007-2008 Anti-TIP Action Plan does contain TIP detection training for their consular officers abroad. TEFFT