VIETNAM ANTI-TIP PROPOSALS FOR G/TIP FY 2008 FUNDING

UNCLAS HANOI 000151 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/MLS, G/TIP, AND PRM FOR SONIA DENTZEL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC ELAB KCRM PHUM PREL SMIG VM SUBJECT: VIETNAM ANTI-TIP PROPOSALS FOR G/TIP FY 2008 FUNDING CONSIDERATION REF: 07 STATE 161287 ¶1. (SBU) Post recommends the following two anti-trafficking in persons (TIP) project proposals for G/TIP FY 2008 funding: ¶I. APPLICANT: Save the Children U.K. (SCUK) - Vietnam Office REQUESTED FUNDING AMOUNT: US $241,682 (two-hundred forty-one thousand and six-hundred eighty-two dollars) PROJECT TITLE: Promoting the Legal Framework and Law Enforcement on Human Trafficking PROJECT DURATION: Two Years PROPOSAL ABSTRACT: At the October 2007 GVN Review Workshop on the National Plan of Action to Combat Human trafficking in Women and Children, Deputy Prime Minister Truong Vinh Trong noted that Vietnam had experienced a rise in women and child trafficking cases between 2005 and 2006 and spoke of a "doubling" of cases. He also noted the close link between trafficking and poverty and the special vulnerabilities which children and women face in terms of being trafficked and forced into "prostitution, illegal marriages and illegal labor." SCUK sees the importance of the improvement of the GVN's Penal Code, development of a Law on Trafficking and the ratification of the UN Convention on Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and its TIP Protocol. Moreover, SCUK sees the need for a comprehensive approach for the protection of children. Such a system would identify vulnerable children and protect them from harm associated with trafficking and unsafe migration. The proposal comprises a two-year project to promote and support the development of a strong legal framework on human trafficking on the one hand and build the capacity of law enforcement and child protection personnel at different levels on the other for both child and victim protection. Expected results by the end of year 2 include: a) promoted government and public awareness for a strengthened TIP legal framework in Vietnam, including development of a new TIP law, revision of the penal code and ratification of international TIP protocols; and b) developed capacity of GVN law enforcement and child protection agencies on protections and work with TIP victims and vulnerable children. II. APPLICANT: The Asia Foundation (TAF) - Vietnam REQUESTED FUNDING AMOUNT: US $250,353 (two-hundred fifty thousand and three-hundred fifty three dollars) PROJECT TITLE: Strengthening the Legal Framework to Combat Trafficking in Vietnam PROJECT DURATION: 18 months PROPOSAL ABSTRACT: TAF proposes to implement an 18 month, $250,353 project in close partnership with the GVN Ministry of Justice (MOJ), the National Assembly (NA),and the Vietnam Women's Union (VWU) that will facilitate drafting and passing the first comprehensive anti-trafficking law in Vietnam. This project will take advantage of the GVN's increased commitment to combating all forms of TIP and TAF's years of experience and close working partnerships with governmental and non-governmental organizations to establish a sound legal framework for combating trafficking consistent with international standards. Lack of a comprehensive anti-trafficking law in Vietnam has led to a confusing array of legal instruments that deal in a piecemeal fashion primarily with one aspect of the problem, sex trafficking of women and children. Many other egregious forms of trafficking are not addressed at all. The result is that those charged with preventing trafficking in their communities, assisting victims, and bringing traffickers to justice are ill-equipped to carry out their responsibilities or to make significant progress in stopping trafficking. TAF has designed the proposed project in close consultation with the MOJ, the VWU, and key members of the NA. The project will facilitate a series of consultations with key stakeholders in provinces with high rates of trafficking to enable the MOJ to assess the legal dimensions of the problem, foster national discussion, and generate informed recommendations on a new law. At the same time, the project will increase awareness of NA delegates on the need for such a bill and encourage support for ratification. Measurable results will include: a) increased capacity of the VWU, and NGOs to analyze laws and make recommendations on a comprehensive anti-trafficking law; b) increased understanding of key stakeholders of the complexity of trafficking in Vietnam and the legal provisions required to address it; c) specific and comprehensive recommendations for provisions in a draft law; d) a comprehensive anti-trafficking bill drafted; e) increased commitment of NA delegates for a comprehensive anti-trafficking law; and f) a broad-based constituency informed about and sensitive to trafficking issues. ¶2. (SBU) Post has forwarded both proposals and budgetary materials to the G/TIP Funding Opportunities e-mail address. Post recommends full funding of both of these strong proposals and stands ready to assist G/TIP in the evaluation and due diligence process. Post thanks G/TIP for consideration of these proposals. MICHALAK