BELIZE RESPONSE FOR 2009 TIP INTERIM ASSESSMENT

UNCLAS BELMOPAN 000421 DEPT FOR G/TIP, WHA/CEN (JVANTRUMP),WHA/PPC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KCRM KTIP KWMN PGOV PHUM SMIG BH SUBJECT: BELIZE RESPONSE FOR 2009 TIP INTERIM ASSESSMENT REF: STATE 110433 ¶1. Summary. Although the issue of addressing trafficking in persons is given support from the highest levels of the Government of Belize (GoB) and Belizean Anti-Trafficking in Persons Committee (the Committee),continues to meet monthly, there is limited progress to report for the interim period. Belizean leadership states that it takes the issue seriously, however, much work remains to be done in the prosecution process. End Summary. ¶2. The good news, from the perspective of the CEO for the Ministry of Social Development and Human Transformation (the Ministry),is that there have been no new trafficking cases and thus no arrests. Since receiving the TIP Action Plan in August, the Committee has met on a regular basis to discuss efforts to increase Belize's ability to address human trafficking but has not launched any new or additional efforts in any of the four areas requested for the interim report. ¶3. (SBU) The CEO for the Ministry recently shared with Poloff that the GoB is using "intelligence driven action" versus broad sweep investigations to uncover instances of trafficking. On the other hand, in the labor sector, she shared that the GoB uses routine labor checks as an entry point for trafficking investigations. For example, if a routine labor check reveals inconsistencies in documentation, the employer is referred for a further check. The CEO was explicit that the GoB does not/not publicize its labor checks because "word travels fast" and the advance knowledge of spot checks in the labor sector could negatively impact the integrity of the surprise visit by government officials. THUMMALAPALLY