VIETNAM - 2008 TIP REPORT DEMARCHE

UNCLAS HANOI 000663 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/MLS, G/TIP AND PRM FOR SONIA DENTZEL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PGOV TIP ELAB KWMN KCRM SMIG PREL VM SUBJECT: VIETNAM - 2008 TIP REPORT DEMARCHE REF: STATE 57481 COUNTRY NARRATIVE DELIVERED -------------- ¶1. (SBU) On June 4, Poloff delivered the 2008 TIP Report Country Narrative for Vietnam, as well as reftel talking points, to Mr. Pham Hoang Tung, Chief of the Legal and Consular Affairs Division, Consular Department, of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). Poloff reviewed with Tung the recommendations section of the country narrative, focusing on Vietnam's export labor drive, the need for export labor controls, overseas worker protections and victim assistance. Tung noted that his government would have to study the text carefully before having an official reaction, but his initial reaction was positive. MFA TRYING TO ENHANCE OVERSEAS WORKER PROTECTIONS -------------- -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Tung noted that MFA is trying to work more closely with its Embassies and Consulates overseas to ensure that their staff are involved in protecting the rights of overseas Vietnamese workers and can help repatriate them when necessary. He noted the recent May 2008 passage of Inter-Agency Circular 03/2008, with cooperation among the MFA, Ministry of Public Security (MPS),Ministry of Defense (MOD) and Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA),which specifies new and strengthened "Guidelines on the Procedures for Identification and Repatriation of Returning Trafficked Women and Children." He also said the GVN was trying to "protect associations and NGOs" that work in the area of worker protections and victim assistance. VIETNAM CONTINUES ACTIVITIES UNDER COMMIT PROCESS -------------- -------------- ¶3. (SBU) In terms of Vietnam's 2007 announcement that it would draft a comprehensive new TIP law, Tung said that this was moving forward. Under Vietnam's Coordinated Mekong Ministerial Initiative against Trafficking (COMMIT) action plan, Vietnamese experts will conduct an international study tour in 2008, to include Australia and the Philippines, to look at those countries' experiences before drafting a TIP law. Poloff noted that such a study tour could possibly be arranged for the United States, depending on funding. Vietnam has no concrete plan for reducing demand for commercial sex procurement; however, in 2007 the GVN did launch a new child sex tourism investigative unit within the MPS. ¶4. (SBU) Tung noted that MOLISA continues to work hard on implementation of the 2006 Export Labor Law and recently signed an additional labor destination MOU with Qatar. In terms of several recent media articles on the increased incidence of baby trafficking, Tung acknowledged the GVN's concern and referenced the connection with international adoptions. Tung said the Ministry of Justice would submit a plan to the National Assembly later this year calling for Vietnam to sign the Hague Convention. (Note: Post believes this is an overly optimistic view of timing. End note.) ¶5. (SBU) Post is in the process of translating the TIP Report Vietnam country narrative into Vietnamese and will post it on the Embassy's website shortly. POL will also disseminate the report to its TIP distribution list. MICHALAK