Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ABUJA1437
2009-08-05 17:38:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Abuja
Cable title:  

NIGERIA: TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS MEETINGS A MIX OF

Tags:  PREL PGOV NI KTIP PHUM 
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RUUHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEHSA/AMEMBASSY PRETORIA 2050
RUEHYD/AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE 1005
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RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC
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RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RUZEJAA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 001437 

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/W, INR/AA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/01/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV NI KTIP PHUM
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS MEETINGS A MIX OF
SUCCESS AND WORK REMAINING

Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Anthony Eterno for reasons
1.4 (b) and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 001437

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/W, INR/AA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/01/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV NI KTIP PHUM
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS MEETINGS A MIX OF
SUCCESS AND WORK REMAINING

Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Anthony Eterno for reasons
1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (U)SUMMARY: G/TIP Ambassador Luis CdeBaca visited
Lagos, Benin City and Abuja on a July 5-15 fact-finding
tour of Africa to exchange ideas on sombating trafficking
in persons. He met with government officials and civil
society groups to learn first hand what actions are being
taken in Nigeria that justify the country's upgrade this
year from a Tier 2 to Tier 1 rating, recognizing
that Nigeria is meeting "the minimum standards for
eliminadion of severe forms of trafficking." He met with
the government's anti-human trafficking organization, the
National Agency for Prevention of Trafficking in Persons
(NAPTIP) to congratulate them for their achievement, and to
gain an understanding of a program that might be used as a
model for other African nations. END SUMMARY


2. (C) Nigeria's National Agency for Prevention of
Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) is government funded and
works as the lead agency, through a network of stakeholders
including immigration, law enforcement, health agencies and
NGOs. Its strength in coordinating grassroots efforts adds
to its success. This umbrella leadership cuts through red
tape and inter-agency barriers to accomplish its mission of
prosecution, protection and prevention. NAPTIP has
conducted many successful public enlightenment campaigns to
raise awareness of this modern-day slcvery. They are ioping
to launch a public awareness campaign later this year with
major funding from Department of Defense resources.


3. (SBU) Ambassador deBaca also met with civil society and
NGO groups, to gain an understanding of their work in
Nigeria and areas of cooperation. This assistance, which
includes both direct help and capacity building, has been
important in Nigeria's elevation to Tier 1 status.
Separate meetings were held with United Nations Office on
Drugs and Crime (UNODC),International Labor Organization
(ILO),United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and
International Organization for Migration (IOM),
demonstrating the many outside resources that are being
funnmled into Nigeria to support Anti-TIP efforts.


4. (SBU) Dagmar Thomas, Country Representative at UNODC, revealed
that her
office is working with NAPTIP "to create a database to
track statistics, assistance and partnerships across all
donors". She said the next stage for UNODC is "to help
guide NAPTIP in prioritizing and costing out their National
Action Plan activities to aid the agency in actually
accomplishing these ambitious goals".


5. (SBU) Ambassador Sanders hosted a meeting with Chiefs of
Mission in Abuja to exchange ideas on trafficking with
Ambassador deBaca. Ambassador Sanders stressed that TIP is
important to the United States, but it is a world-wide
problem requiring that we work together to find solutions.
Each COM discussed his mission's work with Nigeria on
trafficking issues and plans for future cooperation.


6. (SBU) Ambassador noted current legislation is under discussion in
the National Assembly on new funding for religious
pilgrimages to Saudi Arabia, where trafficking takes
place. She stated that by using trafficking statistics,
not a discussion of religion, we might shine a light on TIP
issues.


7. (C) COMMENT: N)geria has been elevated to Tier 1
ranking in the 2009 G/TIP report, but is still very much a work in
process. As Ambassador deBaga noted, "NAPTIP must keep
up the pressure" on prevention and prosecution, while
enhancing its protection efforts, during the next year in
order to retain this placement. We will continue to
monitor and encourage NAPTIP and its stakeholders' efforts
in the coming year. END COMMENT


8. (U) This cable was coordinated with Consulate Lagos.

SANDERS