MALTA: SUMMARY INFORMATION FOR TRAFFICKING IN

UNCLAS VALLETTA 000129 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR G/TIP, G, INL, DRL, EUR/WE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC ELAB KCRM KWMN PHUM PREL SMIG MT SUBJECT: MALTA: SUMMARY INFORMATION FOR TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS SOLICITATION FOR G/GIP-MANAGED FY 2008 ESF AND INCLE FUNDS REF: STATE 161293 ¶1. Embassy Valletta received one proposal for funding from FY 2008 INCLE and ESC appropriation. Per reftel instructions the full proposal was forwarded via separate email. Post believes the submitted proposal will help Malta move towards Tier One status by addressing key components of Malta's TIP Action Plan. ¶2. A. Name of the applicant: International Organization for Migration ¶B. Requested funding amount: $205,419 ¶C. Project Title: Delivery of IOM Counter-Trafficking Module in Malta ¶D. Project Duration: June 1, 2008-May 31, 2009 ¶E. Proposal Abstract: IOM conducted a training in May 2007 with representatives from Maltese law enforcement and civil society. The training sought to raise awareness of trafficking in persons and was successful in identifying the interrelations of trafficking with irregular migration, analyzing prevention, prosecution and protection, and developing possible avenues of cooperation at a national and international level amongst the diverse stakeholders and institutions. Feedback on the training session highlighted the need to further strengthen operational networks in Malta, to pinpoint and enhance existing available services and their respective functions and roles at a local level to identify and assist the victims of human trafficking and to address prevention. In addition, despite a lack of awareness at a national level, the increase in prosecutions in the Maltese courts suggests that law enforcement authorities are conducting investigations into the phenomenon. In order to address these needs, the proposed project will conduct a number of activities aimed at enhancing communication between the key interlocutors, developing social protection projects, addressing victims of human trafficking and raising awareness at a national level. Thus, it is envisaged that this project will aim to establish a structured and trained referral system within the Maltese civic society and institutions which will help in developing workable protocols and a shared modus operandi towards the identification and treatment of victims. Once established the structured referral system thus created will enhance the capacity of Malta to identify victims of trafficking in a correct and timely fashion, so as to guarantee the necessary protection of their human rights. The project will last twelve months and be implemented in cooperation with Malta's Ministry of Justice and Home Affairs, the Ministry of Social Policy and the Police Commissioner's Office. The project objectives are: - to establish a sound and well-trained referral system between law enforcement officers, the judiciary and the social services to ensure the appropriate referral of victims of trafficking to the appropriate institution or NGO - to inform identified victims of trafficking to the existing range of protection and assistance services available in Malta - to increase public awareness of the human trafficking phenomenon. Embassy Comment: At the time the abstract was written, Malta had only an informal referral system; on March 35 an MOU between the police and Ministry of Social Affairs was signed formalizing the system. In our assessment the focus of this request was always on training the personnel involved in the system; therefore we continue to fully support this proposal. BORDONARO