CYPRUS TIP INTERIM ASSESSMENT RESPONSE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NICOSIA 000911 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR G/TIP, EUR/PGI, EUR/SE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KTIP KCRM KWMN PHUM PGOV PREL SMIG CY SUBJECT: CYPRUS TIP INTERIM ASSESSMENT RESPONSE REF: SECSTATE 109254 NICOSIA 00000911 001.4 OF 002 ¶1. (U) Embassy responses to the TIP interim assessment for Special Watch List countries are keyed Reftel order. ¶2. (SBU) Law enforcement efforts to combat trafficking: During the interim period covered by this report (April 1 - November 15),the Republic of Cyprus opened 24 cases for investigation under the comprehensive 2007 anti-TIP law, an increase from 20 cases opened in the same date range in 2007. Of the 24, 14 are pending trial, two resulted in acquittals, seven are still under police investigation, and one was dismissed pursuant to a decision by the Attorney General. On April 1, 27 TIP cases were already pending before the court. One of these 27 resulted in a conviction during the rating period and a two-year prison sentence, eight resulted in acquittals, two were dismissed, and prosecution in one case was suspended pursuant to a decision by the Attorney General. Fifteen of the 27 are still pending trial and four are under police investigation. ¶3. (U) Abolition of "artiste" work permits: The Council of Ministers on October 29 took a decision to abolish, as of November 1, the use of the "artiste category" work permit for women from non-EU countries working in the cabaret industry. According to this decision, these individuals wishing to work as "artistes" in Cyprus will need to apply for work permits as creative artists (writers, composers, etc.) or performing artists (dancers, singers, actors, etc.) and provide evidence of their qualifications, experience and international renown. The procedures to follow and terms of employment will be the same as those in effect for all other alien workers. However, this new policy has not been implemented yet, as the competent ministries are still drafting accompanying regulations. The government aims for full implementation by the end of November. The October 29 decision also tasked the Ministry of Labor with preparing new employment contracts for this work category reflecting the changes adopted, as well as fast-tracking legislation to regulate the operation of private employment agencies and introduce stricter criteria for issuing licenses to employment agents. Meanwhile, the number of "artiste category" work permits has declined significantly. According to the Ministry of Interior, 1384 work permits were issued from April 1 to November 11, as compared to 2279 that were issued in the March 1-November 2007 period. ¶4. (SBU) Public awareness: The government allocated over 43,000 euros to NGOs for TIP-related projects during the rating period, an increase from 25,000 euros allocated during the same date range last year; from this total, 17,000 euros went to the NGO STIGMA-run shelter for TIP victims and 7150 euros to the Mediterranean Institute for Gender Studies (MIGS) to organize two TIP-related conferences. Additionally, the government directed 50,000 euros to the Ministry of Interior for the second phase of the demand reduction campaign that had begun in March 2007. Phase II is expected to commence in December or January 2009, and will include placement of anti-TIP billboards, posters, TV spots and brochures. On September 18, the RoC co-organized with the OSCE and the United Nations a high-profile, well-received conference on TIP and organized crime. During the period, government officials and police officers gave interviews on TIP to local and foreign media and participated as speakers in all the TIP-related conferences organized locally. In praising the new Ministers of Justice and Interior (they came into office as a result of the spring 2008 elections),NGO contacts report their unprecedented political will to combat TIP and cooperate with/empower the NGO community. ¶5. (SBU) Standardized procedures for referral and protection of victims: The 2007 anti-TIP law defines the procedures for identification and referral of victims of trafficking, and describes in detail the rights and protections that should be afforded to them by the state. Any government officer should (and any NGO may also) refer potential victims to the Department of Social Welfare Services, which will then invite the police anti-TIP unit to conduct the identification process. Once victims are identified, they are referred to the government-run or STIGMA-run shelters. Victims who do not wish to stay at a shelter are entitled to a rent subsidy and public assistance to cover basic needs, as well as assistance in finding employment. All victims are entitled to free medical care, legal assistance and psychological support. They may stay at the government shelter up to four weeks, but this period may be extended if it is deemed in the victim's best interest. NGO sources report, however, that delivery of these services is inconsistent. They claim that subsidies are often delayed, only partially paid or not paid NICOSIA 00000911 002 OF 002 at all, and that some of the government shelter personnel lack adequate training to effectively assist victims. In the rating period, the government offered protection to 48 victims, and 27 of them stayed at the government shelter. ¶6. (SBU). Increasing resources to Police anti-TIP unit: The Chief of Police in April appointed 20 officers to partner with the police anti-TIP unit. These officers are not exclusively dedicated to TIP and are replaced often, however, which does not always allow them to gain sufficient experience in TIP-related police work. On November 17, the anti-TIP unit added another permanent staff member, bringing the total to four. The police identified 35 TIP victims during the rating period, compared to 15 in the same period last year. The police conducted 70 raids and 21 undercover operations, and carried out checks on cabarets employing artistes at least once per week. Urbancic