UNCLAS ZAGREB 000264

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR G/TIP, G, INL, DRL, IWI, EUR/PGI

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL KCRM KWMN HR TRAFFICKING

SUBJECT: ANTI-TIP TRAINING FOR CROATIAN JUDGES AND PROSECUTORS
BOLSTERS ACTION PLAN



1. SUMMARY AND COMMENT: Embassy Zagreb and the Government of Croatia
(GOC) are working together to train Croatian prosecutors and judges
in preventing and prosecuting trafficking in persons (TIP) crimes.
Two specialized seminars for trial and investigative judges, as well
as for prosecutors, were held by U.S. legal experts brought to
Croatia through the U.S. Speakers Program. The GOC, as an
enthusiastic partner, co-sponsored the training program through the
Government Office of Human Rights and the Judicial Academy of the
Croatian Ministry of Justice. END SUMMARY AND COMMENT


2. Trial Attorney, Ms. Jessica Ginsburg from the Professional
Development Office, Civil Rights Division at the U.S. Department of
Justice, and Ms. Marianne L. Barrett, Assistant District Attorney in
San Francisco, facilitated the specialized training of Croatian
legal experts, judges and prosecutors. The training seminars were
held at the Municipal Court in Solin and at the County Court of
Zagreb, March 6-10, 2007. Both sessions, serving to bolster
Croatia's TIP Action Plan, targeted a total of 39 participants.


3. The goal of these seminars was to further educate the Croatian
Judiciary so that it will be better equipped to investigate,
prosecute and make future convictions for TIP crimes. A secondary
aim of this program was to share U.S. experience (both at the
federal and local levels) with Croatian legal professionals. Open
dialogue, conversation, and the sharing of best practices by judges
and prosecutors with a victim centered approach were keys to this
unique training opportunity.


4. Ms. Ginsburg and Ms. Barrett provided case studies and concrete
information about the scope of the TIP problem in the United States;
e.g. number of reported cases, investigations, prosecutions, and
convictions which served to broaden the knowledge of Croatian
prosecutors and judges. Witness and Victim's Protection/Assistance
were emphasized as important and critical areas for prosecutors and
judges to focus on in the pursuit of fair trials in Croatia.


5. The speakers and training sessions were very useful in promoting
post's goals of educating and training Croatian prosecutors and
judges. The program conveyed practical U.S. legal experience dealing
with TIP cases and brought up, once again, the importance of
successful TIP prosecutions and the social impact of well-handled
cases. Speakers organized the sessions in a proactive manner,
encouraging discussion and dialogue with program participants who
were very participatory and showed an interest for this particular
topic.

Bradtke