Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BAKU677
2009-08-28 08:14:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baku
Cable title:  

AZERBAIJAN: COMBATING TIP UPDATE FROM MIA

Tags:  PGOV KDEM PHUM PREL PINR KTIP AJ 
pdf how-to read a cable
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PP RUEHAG RUEHDBU RUEHROV RUEHSL RUEHSR
DE RUEHKB #0677/01 2400814
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 280814Z AUG 09
FM AMEMBASSY BAKU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1645
INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE
RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES
RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 3503
RHMFISS/CDR USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 1441
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAKU 000677 

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/CARC, EUR/PGI, DRL, G/TIP, EUR/ACE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/28/2019
TAGS: PGOV KDEM PHUM PREL PINR KTIP AJ
SUBJECT: AZERBAIJAN: COMBATING TIP UPDATE FROM MIA

Classified By: Political-Economic Counselor Robert Garverick, Reasons 1
.4 b and d.

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAKU 000677

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/CARC, EUR/PGI, DRL, G/TIP, EUR/ACE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/28/2019
TAGS: PGOV KDEM PHUM PREL PINR KTIP AJ
SUBJECT: AZERBAIJAN: COMBATING TIP UPDATE FROM MIA

Classified By: Political-Economic Counselor Robert Garverick, Reasons 1
.4 b and d.


1. (C) SUMMARY: The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA)
Anti-trafficking Unit is open to dialogue with the USG on the
issue of combating trafficking in persons (TIP). On August
25 poloff met with the deputy head of the Unit, who offered
an update on the many activities it is conducting in all
three "P" areas- prevention, protection, and prosecution.
These activities include meetings across the country,
distributing pamphlets and videos, training police, and
offering shelter and assistance to victims. MIA offered to
keep the Embassy informed of all developments, and to look
closely at the 2009 TIP Report recommendations. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) On August 25 poloff met with Colonel Imran Jafarov,
deputy head of the MIA's Anti-Trafficking in Persons Unit.
The impetus for the meeting was a report the MIA set to the
Embassy that disputed some of the inforation on Azerbaijan
contained in the State Department's 2009 Trafficking in
Persons Report. Jafarov has been the deputy head of the Unit
since its creation in 2005 and reported that he was
personally involved in selecting all the personnel to serve
in the unit, including creating the test for entry into the
unit.

Update on Ongoing MIA Activities
--------------


3. (C) Jafarov explained that the motto for all the Units
work is (in English) the 3 P's: prevent, protect, and
prosecute. He was proud to report the progress they have
made on the first two Ps, including the creation of the
hotline, shelter for victims, and the assistance center for
victims under the Ministry of Labor. In 2008 the Unit held
events in 78 cities and towns of Azerbaijan, many of which
were for women only, to teach about preventing trafficking,
and in 2009 they have visited 22 districts so far. In 2009
they have expanded locations for these events from education
centers to hospitals and Ministry of Transportation
facilities. They have also produced a short movie in

connection with the State Committee on Family, Women, and
Children's Affairs which will be distributed around the
country to inform people about the dangers of TIP. They are
also currently in the process of renovating one floor of the
victim shelter to be more accommodating to children victims.
Jafarov explained that they are working with the Cabinet of
Ministers to increase the level of funding for assistance to
victims, as the monthly allowance of 33 AZN (40 USD) chosen
in 2005 is no longer enough.

Victim Identification and Assistance Process
--------------


4. (C) Jafarov also gave a detailed explanation of the GOAJ's
victim identification and assistance process. Over the past
two years the MIA has trained all police officers to refer
any suspected trafficking victims directly to the
Anti-trafficking Unit. If the victim does not want to
cooperate with a police investigation, the victim is normally
sent to an NGO for assistance, as the person does not want
their name in police documents. Jafarov was careful to point
out, however, that these victims are still eligible for
government assistance, including housing in the GOAJ shelter,
and this assistance is normally given through an NGO.


5. (C) If the victim does wish to cooperate with an
investigation, then the MIA begins immediately to work on a
statement from the victim. Jafarov says he meets personally
with 99% of the victims to make sure they get all possible
information on potential criminals. Victims are provided
with lawyers immediately, and these lawyers put together a
lawsuit which will entitle the victim to compensation from
property confiscated from traffickers. Jafarov reported that
since 2007 23 victims have received this type of
compensation. GOAJ provided compensation is provided
immediately, for fear the person would disappear before
receiving it. All victims are offered the GOAJ shelter, but
Jafarov says only about 50 out of 100 victims accept this
offer.

Prosecution Statistics

BAKU 00000677 002 OF 002


--------------


6. (C) In response to poloff's questions regarding
prosecution statistics, Jafarov explained that his Unit works
on ten different charges under the criminal code, including
trafficking in persons, forced prostitution, running a
brothel, etc. Therefore, the statistics can be misunderstood
if they come from different people. Jafarov stated that
since January 1 his Unit has brought 134 criminal cases to
the court. Of these, 58 were charged with TIP. Jafarov
explained that once the investigation is complete and the
case goes to court, they have no control over the case. But
they do have information back from the courts that since
January 1 15 cases involving 16 people have been sentenced to
terms in jail. He also noted that many of these statistics
can be found on the MIA's website - www.mia.gov.az. Jafarov
gave no substantive reply, however, to poloff's question
regarding steps the GOAJ is taking to investigate GOAJ
officials who may be complicit in trafficking.

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


7. (C) Jafarov's openness to dialogue with the USG on this
difficult topic is a positive signal of the GOAJ's
willingness to work harder to fight TIP. While Jafarov and
the MIA's work is limited somewhat by the poor state of
Azerbaijan's court system and cultural barriers to victim
re-integration, he and his Unit seem dedicated to doing the
best job that they can. Jafarov promised to look closely at
the recommendations made in the 2009 TIP report, and see how
they could fit within the MIA's work. Jafarov made a plea at
the end of the meeting for more USG assistance in this area,
and offered to meet again any time to discuss these issues.
LU