AUSTRIA: NOMINATION FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S

UNCLAS VIENNA 000396 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR G/IWI E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PREL KWMN KPAO SUBJECT: AUSTRIA: NOMINATION FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S AWARD FOR INTERNATIONAL WOMEN OF COURAGE REF: STATE 12871 ¶1. Per reftel request, post nominates Eva Kaufmann, a key staffer in the Austrian NGO LEFOE/IBF. -------------- Contact Information -------------- ¶2. Name: Eva Kaufmann Organization: LEFOE/IBF, Floragasse 7a/7, 1040 Vienna Telephone: 43 1 796 92 98 Email: ibf@lefoe.at -------------- Justification -------------- ¶3. Eva Kaufmann works at LEFOE/IBF, the main NGO in Austria offering assistance to victims of trafficking. LEFOE/IBF provides consultation and information to trafficking victims, provides accommodation in emergency housing and psychological care, and assists victims in getting necessary documentation and social security. LEFOE/IBF assists victims by escorting them to interviews with law enforcement authorities and to court, providing legal representation, and visiting women held in detention prior to deportation. LEFOE/IBF also prepares victims for return and connects them with an advice center in their home countries. Eva Kaufmann has been instrumental in organizing legal and psychological counseling to victims of trafficking, has given presentations in several Eastern European countries, and is working tirelessly in providing help to trafficking victims. LEFOE/IBF also assists in setting up shelters for women in Eastern European countries. Ms. Kaufmann is intensively involved in that work, and more generally with international networking on the issue of trafficking. Given the fact that Austria is a country of transit as well as destination of trafficking, and the fact that it borders several Eastern European countries, trafficking is an important issue in Austria. ¶4. Michael G. Spring is the officer in charge of women's issues at post. He may be contacted at 011 43 1 31339-2398 or via E-Mail at mgspring@state.gov. McCaw