Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BAKU911
2009-11-23 14:03:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Baku
Cable title:  

AZERBAIJAN: TIP INTERIM ASSESSMENT

Tags:  PGOV KDEM PHUM PREL PINR KTIP AJ 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0004
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHKB #0911/01 3271403
ZNR UUUUU ZZH (CCY ADDEADD1 MSI2766-695)
P 231403Z NOV 09
FM AMEMBASSY BAKU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2064
INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE
RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES
RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 3675
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/CDR USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 1525
UNCLAS BAKU 000911 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

C O R R E C T E D COPY CAPTION
DEPT FOR EUR/CARC, EUR/PGI (JBUCKNEBERG),DRL,
G/TIP(MHALL),EUR/ACE, PRM (SDENTZEL)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM PHUM PREL PINR KTIP AJ
SUBJECT: AZERBAIJAN: TIP INTERIM ASSESSMENT

REF: A. STATE 109948

B. BAKU 856

UNCLAS BAKU 000911

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

C O R R E C T E D COPY CAPTION
DEPT FOR EUR/CARC, EUR/PGI (JBUCKNEBERG),DRL,
G/TIP(MHALL),EUR/ACE, PRM (SDENTZEL)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM PHUM PREL PINR KTIP AJ
SUBJECT: AZERBAIJAN: TIP INTERIM ASSESSMENT

REF: A. STATE 109948

B. BAKU 856


1. (U) In response to reftel A, post provides the following
information for the interim assessment of Azerbaijan's
progress on combating trafficking in persons.

Implementing the NRM and Identifying Victims for Assistance
-------------- --------------


2. (SBU) The National Referral Mechanism (NRM) for victims
was passed on August 11 by the Cabinet of Ministers, and a
list of Indicators of Trafficking was approved by the Cabinet
of Ministers on September 15. The GOAJ has held interagency
meetings in accordance with the NRM and held an international
workshop in October to train all ministries on the provisions
of the new documents. The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA)
-- in conjunction with the OSCE, the International
Organization for Migration (IOM),and the U.S. Department of
Justice -- has held a number of training sessions for police,
judges, and prosecutors on victim identification and
treatment. The Ministry of Labor has opened a Victim
Assistance Center, which provides job training, English
language classes, and job placement services to victims.
However, per reftel B, the first large suspected trafficking
case discovered since the passage of these regulations shows
that the GOAJ still needs to improve both its investigation
capabilities and its victim assistance methods. When faced
with a real-world situation, the GOAJ seemed to lack the
political will to take strong measures in this case.

Allocating sufficient funding to implement the NAP
-------------- --------------


3. (SBU) The MIA reports a budget of 500,000 AZN (609,750
USD),allocated from the annual state budget, to provide
assistance to victims of trafficking. The MIA believes this
is adequate for now, but said the total is flexible and more
can be requested if needed throughout the year.

Increasing interagency coordination and identifying points of
contact
--------------


4. (SBU) 14 ministries are designated to participate in the
National Action Plan and National Referral Mechanism. Points
of contact for trafficking issues have been identified in
each ministry, and an interagency working group created,
chaired by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. This group has
met three times since the new National Action Plan was passed
in February.

Improving assistance and protection of child victims
-------------- --------------


5. (SBU) The Ministry of Internal Affairs renovated a section
of its shelter for trafficking victims for the exclusive use
of children. This section has a separate entrance from the
rest of the shelter, has a playroom for young children and a
schoolroom for older children. There is a separate dining
facility with the ability to provide appropriate nutrition
for children of all ages. There is also a bedroom in this
section for a woman with an infant. Children are allowed to
stay in this shelter as long as needed. The Ministry of
Education has also designated several kindergartens and
elementary schools where child victims can be placed on short
notice, as needed. The MIA also says it conducts
preventative measures to identify possible child victims
among children who are begging on the street. On November 19
the Cabinet of Ministers passed new regulations on assistance
to child victims, although the details of these regulations
are not yet available.

Increasing efforts to investigate, prosecute, and convict
government officials complicit in trafficking
-------------- -

6. (SBU) The GOAJ has not investigated any government
officials for trafficking during the reporting period. The
MIA states, however, that it would fully investigate any
complaint brought against any GOAJ official. The MIA reports
that all employees of its Anti-Trafficking Unit are vetted
for compliance with human rights standards before they are
hired into the unit, and that all employees undergo regular
inspection for compliance with these standards.
LU