CAMEROON: EMBASSY ENGAGES ON TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 YAOUNDE 000622 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR G/TIP and DRL PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER E.O. 12958: n/a TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL KWMN CM SUBJECT: CAMEROON: EMBASSY ENGAGES ON TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS ¶1. (U) Summary. On June 4, the Embassy hosted the opening ceremony for a USG-funded American Bar Association (ABA) seminar titled "Promoting a Multi-Disciplinary Strategy to Combating Trafficking in Persons". The Ambassador addressed the opening session by calling for stronger implementation of existing child anti-trafficking laws and for creating a law to prohibit adult trafficking. The all- day seminar which included 40 high-level participants from the Ministries of Justice, Labor, Security and Social Affairs focused on the prevention of trafficking, the prosecution of traffickers and the protection of victims. The group developed several recommendations, including calling for an amendment to the 2006 law prohibiting the trafficking of children to include adults, establishing a national office to combat trafficking, and including training about trafficking in the public service school's curriculum. The ABA reported that during their meeting with Minister of Justice Amadou Ali, he seemed receptive to their suggestions. End Summary. ¶2. (U) On June 4, the Embassy hosted a seminar entitled, "Promoting a Multi-Disciplinary Strategy to Combating Trafficking in Persons" to highlight trafficking in persons challenges in Cameroon. The American Bar Association (ABA) through a G/TIP FY 06 grant is organizing an anti-trafficking criminal reform program in Cameroon to train judges, police and lawyers about anti-trafficking techniques. The Ambassador addressed the opening session by calling for stronger implementation of existing child anti-trafficking laws and for creating a law against adult trafficking. She also announced the release of the 2008 Trafficking in Persons Report for Cameroon and encouraged the public to visit the website to read the report. High level representatives from National Security and the Ministries of Labor, Justice and Social Affairs participated in the all-day seminar. The seminar was extensively covered in the private and public press. ¶3. (SBU) The group of 40 participants presented specific recommendations to improve Cameroon's fight against trafficking. The group agreed that the 2005 Trafficking in Persons Law, which banned the trafficking of children, should be amended to include adults. The group also suggested extensive follow-up of the children withdrawn from hazardous work conditions through the USG-funded West Africa Child Labor in Agriculture and Cocoa Program (WACAP),to verify they had not been reinserted into hazardous work conditions. Furthermore, they recommended that trafficking projects should focus on the follow-up of those already withdrawn, as opposed to withdrawing more children. The working group also suggested the creation of a national agency against trafficking under the auspices of the Prime Minister. They lamented that the current inter-agency working group for trafficking does not function. ¶4. (SBU) ABA met with African Synergies, a non governmental organization of African First Ladies headed by the First Lady of Cameroon, Chantal Biya, to present their idea of lobbying decision makers to create a trafficking office. ABA reported that African Synergies will present the idea to the First Lady. Embassy-GRC Engagement on Trafficking in Persons -------------- -------------- ¶5. (SBU) On June 3, Poloff demarched the Director of Human Rights in the Ministry of Justice, Michael Mahouve, and the Director of the United Nations and Decentralization at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Prosper Boumba, about the release of the trafficking in persons report. Poloff provided them an advanced embargoed copy. Mahouve appeared very interested in the report and said he would send the report to the Minister of Justice. Poloff underscored the importance of GRC action to address trafficking in persons. Boumba was surprised by the report, adding that he was unaware that trafficking was such a pervasive issue. Joe Nzume, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director for American Affairs, later requested a copy of the TIP report from Pol/Econ Chief and said he was very interested in collaborating to combat the trafficking problem. The Next Steps -------------- ¶6. (SBU) The next step for the ABA is to create a trafficking manual with investigative techniques and legal approaches to prosecute traffickers. Prudence Galega, a magistrate and human rights activist, is currently developing the manual with input from police, professors and judges. ¶7. (SBU) The ABA told Poloff that they met with Minister of Justice Amadou Ali to discuss their program and collaboration with the Ministry. They said that the Minister was very open to their proposals, including the creation of a trafficking in persons curriculum to be taught in the school for public servants. YAOUNDE 00000622 002 OF 002 ¶8. (SBU) Comment: The ABA event was an excellent platform to highlight Cameroon's problem with trafficking in persons and to urge more serious government efforts. Cameroon's recent Tier 2 Watchlist designation should also focus government attention on the need to make this issue a higher priority. We will continue to track the results of the ABA trainings and government-initiated programs to address trafficking in persons. NELSON