TURKMENISTAN: REVIEWING G/TIP PROJECT PROPOSAL

UNCLAS ASHGABAT 000319 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/CEN, SCA/RA, G/TIP, INL, DRL, PRM USAID/W FOR EE/EA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM SOCI KCRM KWMN TX SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: REVIEWING G/TIP PROJECT PROPOSAL FROM IOM ASHGABAT REF: STATE 2731 ¶1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet. ¶2. (SBU) The Ashgabat office of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) submitted a project proposal on Combating Trafficking in Persons in Turkmenistan: Prevention, Protection and Capacity Building in response to a request for proposals (GTIP-07-AW-003-112307) from the U.S. Department of State's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (G/TIP). IOM seeks to prevent TIP through the dissemination of information to increase public awareness among the population of the country and relevant stakeholders. Victims of trafficking will be offered protection through reintegration activities -- including legal, psychological and social assistance -- by local NGOs. IOM also intends to work on capacity building by offering training programs and study tours to law enforcement and judiciary structures. Through this project, IOM aims to assist the Government of Turkmenistan to improve the national Law of Combating Trafficking in Persons of December 2007, which eventually will need articles in the Criminal Procedure Code that specifically describe sentencing guidelines for traffickers of persons. IOM asks for $196,132 to fund this 18-month program. ¶3. (SBU) COMMENT: Post notes that the budget for this proposal is still high due to a line item of over $81,000 for personnel costs alone. However, IOM incorporated post recommendations on refining this proposal, including a request to strike personnel administrative costs completely from the budget. Capacity building is the most pressing issue in Turkmenistan overall, and post supports the inclusion of it in the proposal. IOM has a good working relationship with the Government of Turkmenistan, as exemplified by government approval of IOM workshops that notably included participation of international experts from the region throughout 2007. By approving at least part of this proposal, G/TIP will give IOM to take advantage of the window of opportunity that has opened with the passage of the Law on Combating Trafficking in Persons. END COMMENT. HOAGLAND