G/TIP PROPOSAL TO HELP ENSURE VICTIMS ASSISTANCE

UNCLAS BOGOTA 000555 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC ELAB KCRM PHUM PREL SMIG CO SUBJECT: G/TIP PROPOSAL TO HELP ENSURE VICTIMS ASSISTANCE AND ANTI-TRAFFICKING CONVICTIONS IN COLOMBIA REF: A. A. STATE 161287 ¶B. B. FAGAN-BRESNAHAN EMAIL 2/12/2008 ¶1. As requested reftels, post provides the following information on a proposal by the International Organization for Migration to help ensure the safety of trafficking victims and the prosecution and conviction of traffickers. ¶2. ¶A. Name of Applicant: International Organization for Migration (IOM) ¶B. Funding Amount: $176,610 ¶C. Project Title: Institutional Capacity-Building for the Strengthening of Prosecution Activities: In Order to Guarantee Assistance to the Victims in Colombia. ¶D. Project Duration: 12 months ¶E. Proposal Abstract: The IOM project proposes to contribute to the Government of Colombia's Anti-Trafficking Operations Center (COAT) to enhance prosecution activities in order to guarantee adequate protection services for victims. In this respect, the project seeks to strengthen the commitment and internal coordination of the interagency task force who work on the COAT, including the Ministry of Interior and Justice, the Administrative Department of Security (DAS),the Prosecutor General's office and the National Police, through maintenance and updating of specialized equipment and tools of the center, as well as specialized training of the center's staff, in order to pursue prosecutions and prevent re-victimization. ¶F. Post perspective: Post has had an excellent relationship with IOM, which has been an implementing partner for a series of G/TIP, PRM and USAID grants. Colombia's Tier 1 TIP status is warranted, but significant challenges remain. The IOM proposal would assist in the development of the COAT, a critical component of Colombia's anti-trafficking strategy and assist in prosecution, assistance, and prevention. Post strongly endorses the proposal and recommends that it be funded. Brownfield