Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08SKOPJE205
2008-03-14 15:32:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Skopje
Cable title:  

MACEDONIA: MOJ REAFFIRMS ANTI-TIP COMMITMENT

Tags:  PREL PGOV NATO MK 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO5400
RR RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN
RUEHLZ RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHSQ #0205 0741532
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 141532Z MAR 08
FM AMEMBASSY SKOPJE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7181
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE 0253
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RUESEN/SKOPJE BETA
RUEHSQ/USDAO SKOPJE MK
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 2231
RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
UNCLAS SKOPJE 000205 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/SCE; STATE FOR G/TIP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV NATO MK
SUBJECT: MACEDONIA: MOJ REAFFIRMS ANTI-TIP COMMITMENT

REF: SKOPJE 178 AND PREVIOUS

SUMMARY

UNCLAS SKOPJE 000205

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/SCE; STATE FOR G/TIP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV NATO MK
SUBJECT: MACEDONIA: MOJ REAFFIRMS ANTI-TIP COMMITMENT

REF: SKOPJE 178 AND PREVIOUS

SUMMARY


1. (SBU) In a March 10 meeting, Minister of Justice (MOJ)
Manevski briefed the Charge on recent MOJ prosecutorial and
court consolidation activities that should enhance
Macedonia's efforts to combat trafficking-in-persons (TIP).
Additionally, on March 12 the National Commission for
Combating TIP and Illegal Migration (NC) began implementing
its TIP Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). End summary.

MINISTER OF JUSTICE TALKS ABOUT TIP-RELATED REFORMS
-------------- --------------


2. (SBU) In a March 10 meeting with Minister of Justice
Manevski, the Charge expressed appreciation for Macedonia's
strong efforts to eradicate TIP in Macedonia. Urging the MOJ
to do more to make court data on TIP cases available, the
Charge asked also for further high-level public outreach
condemning TIP and commercial sex, with the aim of reducing
demand.


3. (SBU) Minister Manevski cited the current case against the
Operation "Dragon" traffickers (reftel) as an example of the
GOM's diligence in rooting out traffickers. He also
described the consolidation underway in which the Special
Prosecutor's Office for Organized Crime would be designated
to prosecute all TIP and smuggling cases. Manevski added
that amendments to the Law on Courts, unanimously passed on
March 11, will further strengthen Macedonia's capacities to
effectively combat TIP, by giving a single trial court in
Skopje sole jurisdiction for trying organized crime cases,
including TIP cases, for the entire country.

NATIONAL COMMISSION STARTS SOP IMPLEMENTATION
--------------


4. (SBU) On March 12, the NC began implementing its TIP SOPs,
adopted by the government at the beginning of 2008. The NC
appointed a GOM-NGO team of experts to begin conducting SOP
training with police, social workers and others around the
country. The team includes representatives from the Ministry
of Labor; Ministry of Interior; Special Prosecutor's Office
for Organized Crime; National Referral Mechanism; NGO "For
Happy Childhood"; and NGO "Open Gate/La Strada."

COMMENT
--------------


5. (SBU) The Charge's meeting with the MOJ and the beginning
of SOP implementation underscored the GOM's determination to
sustain its momentum in combating TIP. The MOJ-related
changes will allow for concentration of anti-TIP efforts
overall, and should decrease chances for lax prosecutions or
protracted trials in TIP cases. The inclusion of NGO
representatives in key roles related to SOP implementation
will ensure that first-responders, who deal with potential
TIP victims, receive the best possible training.
MILOVANOVIC