COLOMBIA'S NINTH ANNUAL ANTI-TRAFFICKING IN

UNCLAS BOGOTA 000570 SENSITIVE SIPDIS FOR G/TIP, G-ACBLANK, WHA/PPC, INL, DRL, PRM E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KTIP ELAB KCRM KFRD PGOV PHUM PREF SMIG KWMN ASEC, CO SUBJECT: COLOMBIA'S NINTH ANNUAL ANTI-TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS (TIP) REPORT REF: SECSTATE 132759 This report is sensitive but unclassified. Please handle accordingly. ¶1. (SBU) Embassy point of contact on trafficking in persons is human rights officer Carolyn Cooley, phone number (57-1) 315-2129, fax number (57-1) 315-2163. Officer spent 50 hours preparing the report. ¶2. (SBU) Responses below are to questions in paragraphs 23-27 of reftel. -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶3. (SBU) During the reporting period, the Prosecutor General's office (Fiscalia) opened 159 new trafficking in persons investigations. Fifteen cases resulted in convictions. The GOC launched the Anti-Trafficking Operations Center (COAT) in June 2008 to track cases, coordinate investigations, and facilitate victims services. As a recognized international leader in anti-trafficking, the GOC hosted visiting international delegations that studied the COAT's best practices. The GOC also participated in several international and bilateral conferences on anti-trafficking. The GOC sponsored a successful public awareness campaign on trafficking prevention that increased utilization of the national anti-trafficking call center. The GOC's interagency Committee for the Fight against Trafficking in Persons initiated a program to engage local governments at the municipal and departmental levels in the fight against human trafficking. Ten departments issued anti-trafficking decrees. End Summary. -------------- COLOMBIA'S TIP SITUATION -------------- 23.A. (SBU) The following GOC ministries and institutions provide information on trafficking in persons: the Ministry of Interior and Justice (MININT),the Prosecutor General's Office (Fiscalia),the Department of Administrative Security (DAS),the interagency Committee for the Fight against Trafficking in Persons (ICFTP),the Operational Anti-Trafficking Center (COAT),and the National Anti-Trafficking Call Center. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) also maintains trafficking in persons data. (SBU) Despite advances in information sharing due to the inter-agency ICFTP, data remains incomplete for two reasons. First, gaps remain in coordinating the tracking of cases. For example, an arrest made by the DAS for the crime of trafficking may be later prosecuted by the Fiscalia as organized crime, because trafficking cannot be proven in a court. Second, victims may never report their case of trafficking as a crime or feel comfortable passing their personal information to the GOC offices involved. (SBU) To further improve documentation of human trafficking, IOM and the Fiscalia are developing a database, the interagency Database Against Trafficking (RITRA),to track and monitor inter-agency statistics on traffickers and victims. The RITRA will be administered by the Fiscalia and will contain data from the Fiscalia, DAS, Interpol, and the Colombian National Police (CNP). Still, in 2008 there were problems with the migration of inter-agency data, which has slowed the launch of the database. 23.B. (SBU) Colombia is a significant source of trafficking victims -- primarily women, but also some children -- destined for sexual exploitation, according to both GOC and human rights organization reports. COAT's figures indicate 99 percent of all trafficking cases are women, with 82 percent of all cases linked to sexual exploitation. Some Colombian men are also trafficked for forced labor. In the past, DAS, which has responsibilities similar to the FBI, estimated that between 45,000-50,000 Colombian women worked as prostitutes overseas, with 2-10 victims departing the country per day. DAS and human rights groups consider these numbers impossible to verify. (SBU) IOM reported no cases of internal trafficking in 2008, whereas in the same time period the COAT investigated 19 possible cases of internal trafficking. The cases were predominately for sexual exploitation (63 percent), predominately women (63 percent),and predominately adults (68 percent). Two cases involved members of indigenous groups. Some human rights groups reported that internal trafficking is worse in areas where terrorist and criminal groups are active. (SBU) Post has received some unconfirmed reports that human traffickers use Colombia as a transit country for victims from Ecuador, as well as other Andean countries. The COAT investigated four specific cases dealing with victims in transit from China. (SBU) In 2008, the COAT and the national anti-trafficking call center addressed cases of trafficking destined for (or returning from) Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Singapore, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Guatemala, Germany, Hong Kong, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Philippines, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Japan, the United States, and Bolivia. IOM assisted 27 individuals in 2008, 26 of whom were women. IOM recorded the following countries of destination: Ecuador, Hong Kong, Argentina, Trinidad and Tobago, Philippines, Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Curacao, and Dominican Republic. In 2008, no cases were reported for the following countries, which have been noted as destination countries in the past: Spain, Italy, Portugal, the Netherlands, Thailand, Vietnam, Peru, Iran, Jordan and Aruba. (SBU) The internal armed conflict in Colombia has impacted trafficking because it produces internally displaced persons, who are more vulnerable to exploitation. Human rights groups also report that children have been forcibly recruited into terrorist or illegal groups. 23.C. (SBU) The majority of Colombia's victims are trafficked into sexual exploitation, but the COAT also reported individual cases of exploitation for begging, servile marriage, child pornography, and servitude in 2008. 23.D. (SBU) Based on data collected, women tend to be most vulnerable, especially women 18-30 years old. Groups most at risk of being trafficked were displaced people, women in rural areas, and people whose relatives were members of criminal organizations. Post has received reports that criminals in debt to their organizations will offer to introduce traffickers to family members to facilitate recruitment. Children are also vulnerable; 15 percent of the cases investigated by the COAT in 2008 were for minors, mostly girls. 23.E. (SBU) According to the IOM, recruiters are often friends or even family members of the victims. IOM reports Colombia has had one family-based crime group, which operated between Colombia and Asia, but the majority of trafficking organizations are large, organized crime syndicates. Recruiters typically offer job opportunities abroad where the victim is assured large income in a short time. The internet is also being used to recruit victims. IOM has information that travel agencies, both legal and illegal operations, sometimes serve as a front for trafficking recruiters; however, in general, recruitment takes place via a personal connection or the internet. (SBU) Typically victims use legal documents to travel. Still, in some specific cases reported to the national anti-trafficking call center, it appears some victims use false personal documents. -------------- GOC ANTI-TIP EFFORTS -------------- 24.A. (SBU) The GOC acknowledges that human trafficking is a problem in Colombia and continues to develop laws and strategies to confront the issue. As part of its efforts, Colombia set up the ICFTP, a comprehensive inter-agency program to coordinate the fight with international organizations and human rights groups. (SBU) The ICFTP opened the Operational Anti-Trafficking Center (COAT) on June 27, 2008. The COAT's primary goals are to reduce the number of persons trafficked, to improve protection of victims' rights, and to dismantle criminal trafficking networks. During the reporting period the COAT coordinated 58 cases -- ensuring criminal investigation into the cases as well as the provision of victims' services. The COAT is regarded as a model program for the region. During the rating period, commissions from Chile, Mexico, and Sweden visited the center to review how other regional anti-trafficking efforts might adopt best practices from the project. (SBU) As a recognized international leader in anti-trafficking efforts, the GOC was asked to participate in a Global Forum on Anti-Trafficking efforts in Vienna. Interior Vice Minister Maria Isabel Neito Jaramillo spoke on "Transnational Human Trafficking in Colombia and the Fight against Criminal Networks." Her talk focused on Colombia's political will to combat trafficking, the lessons learned in targeting criminal networks, and the importance of interagency cooperation. During the rating period, Colombia also participated in other anti-trafficking conferences, including bilateral conferences with Brazil, Spain, and Mexico, and an international seminar on cyber-crimes against minors held in Mexico. (SBU) To enhance prevention efforts, the ICFTP worked to encourage more active anti-trafficking efforts at the departmental or municipal levels. Ten departments have implemented anti-trafficking work plans by decree; seven within the reporting period. The departments will work with the local representatives of ICFTP member ministries to ensure effective prevention, investigation, and to make sure victims' services are available at the local level. 24.B. (SBU) The Government has six entities that work to combat trafficking and to monitor prosecution, prevention and victim protection: the MININT which presides over the ICFTP; DAS, which houses the offices that monitor migration and coordinate with INTERPOL; the Unit to Combat Trafficking in Persons, Sexual Violence and Child Victims in the Fiscalia; the Grupo Humanitas inside the Judicial Police section of the CNP; the Family Welfare Institute (ICBF); and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). Fourteen agencies are members of the ICFTP, which was established informally in 2003 and formally launched in 2005: MININT, MFA, Ministry of Social Protection (MSP),Ministry of Education, DAS, the CNP, the Fiscalia, the Inspector General's Office (Procuraduria),the Office of the Human Rights Ombudsman (Defensoria),Interpol, ICBF, the Presidential Advisor for Equality of Women, The Ministry of Defense organization FONDELIBERTAD, and the Special Administrative Unit for Information and Financial Analysis (UIAF). 24.C. (SBU) In 2008, the GOC spent approximately $150,000 to launch the COAT. Despite progress, the GOC's efforts continue to be hampered by limited resources, inadequate victims' awareness, and lack of clarity among ministries as to their role in the GOC's anti-trafficking efforts. The COAT hosts inter-agency meetings at least monthly to clarify different ministries' roles. It is also drafting a decree that will codify each ministry's anti-trafficking and victims' services responsibilities. Both IOM and the ICFTP reported that the coordination of victims' assistance improved after the COAT was launched in June 2008. For example, on December 18 the GOC received notice from Ecuador that it would be repatriating eight trafficking victims in a few hours. The COAT coordinated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Narino, and IOM to provide immediate, appropriate assistance to the victims. (SBU) The GOC gives limited assistance to victims through shelters, the MININT, the ICBF and the MSP. It also relies heavily on human rights and international organizations to help victims. Still, IOM and the ICFTP report that most victims only want assistance in returning to their homes. Only 12 of the 57 victims the COAT worked with in 2008 utilized the free victims services offered through a GOC-Hope Foundation agreement. (SBU) Some human rights organizations have reported in the past that corruption of government officials is a problem -- for example, in some places it is not difficult to fraudulently obtain authentic documents to conceal a victim's identity for purpose of travel -- but none considered government corruption to be endemic. IOM reported rumors during the reporting period of one government official who was fired for allegedly being part of a trafficking network. 24.D. (SBU) The ICFTP, by law, must prepare reports to Congress. It produces an annual report which evaluates the activities of each member ministry's anti-trafficking efforts and outlines current trafficking trends. In 2008, it released a separate report on its work at the departmental level. The national anti-trafficking call center releases a quarterly statistical report. Other ministries (DAS, MININT and Humanitas) have produced reports in the past on their work to combat trafficking. The ICFTP and IOM expect the new RITRA system to help in identifying trafficking trends. Other ministries and agencies who do not produce public reports, like the Fiscalia and DAS, regularly share their data with international organizations and Post. -------------- INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION OF TRAFFICKERS -------------- 25.A (SBU) No new laws were enacted during the reporting period. Law 985, passed on August 26, 2005, is entitled "For which measures are adopted against trafficking in persons and norms for the attention and protections of victims of the same," and prohibits trafficking for any economic or other benefit, such as sexual exploitation, prostitution, work or other forced services, slavery or practices analogous to slavery, forced servitude, exploitation through mendicancy, servile marriage, the extraction of organs, sexual tourism, or any other form of exploitation. The law prohibits internal and transnational trafficking. The law covers the full scope of trafficking crimes and is being implemented. Other laws still in effect that punish trafficking in persons include: -- Law 599 of 2000, which creates penalties for trafficking for purposes of prostitution equivalent to those for rape and sexual assault (penalties of 6 to 8 years in prison and fines of up to 100 times the monthly minimum wage). -- Law 747 of July 2002, which broadens the definition of trafficking in persons and provides for prison sentences between ten and 15 years and fines up to 1,000 times the monthly minimum wage. According to this law, forcing someone into prostitution is punishable by 5 to 9 years in prison and a fine of up to 500 times the monthly minimum wage. These penalties can be increased by up to one-half if the victim is under 14 years of age, if the criminal planned to take the victim out of the country, or if the criminal is a family member. Penalties are also increased by one-third if the victim is under 18 years of age. Child pornography in any form is also criminalized with punishment of up to ten years in prison and a fine of up to 1,000 times the monthly minimum salary. These penalties increase by half if the minor is 12 years or younger. -- Law 890 of 2004, which entered into force on January 1, 2005, further increases the penalties from both Law 599 and Law 747 to 13 to 23 years in prison and fines of up to 1,500 times the monthly minimum wage. These penalties can increase by up to one-third if aggravated circumstances exist, such as if the victim is a minor (less than 18 years of age),the victim is mentally challenged, or if the trafficker is a family member or public servant. If the victim is under 12 years of age, the penalty increases by half. Additional charges of illegal detention, violation of the right to work in dignified conditions, and violation of personal freedom can be charged. -- Article 219 of the Colombian Criminal Code of 2000 prohibits organizing or facilitating sexual tourism and provides penalties of three to eight years' imprisonment. Colombia has also ratified the following international instruments: -- The ILO Convention 182 on the Worst Forms of Child Labor, on January 15, 2005; -- ILO Convention Number 29, in 1969; -- ILO Convention 105, in 1963; -- The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution, and Child Pornography, in November 2003; and, -- The Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, supplementing the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, in August 2004. -- The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women, in 2006. 25.B. (SBU) Punishment of sex trafficking offenses is covered in paragraph 25.A. 25.C. (SBU) Punishment of labor trafficking offenses is covered in paragraph 25.A. 25.D. (SBU) In 2000, Law 599 (see paragraph. 25.A) made the punishments for trafficking for purposes of prostitution equivalent to those for rape and sexual assault. 25.E. (SBU) The government actively investigates trafficking cases. When information is passed regarding a possible case of trafficking in persons, it is analyzed according to investigation protocols under the direction and coordination of the Fiscalia. The CNP, DAS, and INTERPOL, which have units dedicated to investigating trafficking in persons crimes, take the lead in such investigations. Still, victims are frequently unwilling to bring their case to the justice system either out of fear or for lack of awareness that they suffered a crime. Most trafficking cases never see prosecution or investigation due to victims failing to report the crime once they have escaped. Of the 10,115 calls received by the national anti-trafficking call center, 6.7 percent were directly related to trafficking. Of these, 38 were passed to the CNP to initiate investigations. During the reporting period, the Fiscalia reported 159 new investigations (29 under the old legal system, and 130 under the new oral accusatory system). There were 25 arrests and preventive detentions of individuals awaiting trial. The Fiscalia reported 16 convictions during the reporting period for trafficking in persons crimes; sentences ranged from 4.5 to 14 years with the average sentence being 7 years 10 months. Prosecutions were conducted under the laws described in 25.A. 25.F. (SBU) The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC),through an agreement with the MININT, provided training to public prosecutors on trafficking issues. 25.G. (SBU) The GOC cooperates with other governments in the investigation and prosecution of trafficking in persons. The GOC cooperates with host country governments where it has embassies and when victims of trafficking are identified and request repatriation. Fiscalia and DAS/INTERPOL offices work with their counterparts in other countries to conduct investigations. The MFA, Fiscalia, and DAS worked with Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, El Salvador, United States, Philippines, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Singapore, Japan, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela on the investigation of trafficking or the return of a trafficked individual during the reporting period. 25.H. (SBU) The GOC can extradite persons -- Colombian or foreign -- charged with trafficking in other countries. However, there were no extraditions for persons charged with trafficking in the reporting period, and nor were any extradition requests received. 25.I. (SBU) Government officials neither facilitate nor condone trafficking in any official capacity. 25.J. (SBU) The GOC investigates cases of corruption brought to its attention. Neither the DAS nor the Fiscalia has received any information about the involvement, or possible involvement, of government officials in trafficking in persons. IOM reported rumors that a government official was suspected of working with a human trafficking ring and was fired during the reporting period. No government officials have been prosecuted for involvement in trafficking or trafficking-related corruption. 25.K. (SBU) Prostitution by adults is not considered a crime in Colombia, but the activities of pimps and other enforcers are criminalized. The legal minimum age for prostitution is 18 years. Prostitution is permitted in so-called "tolerance zones" in various cities. In these areas, the Institute of Urban Development monitors establishments of prostitution. The operation of prostitution establishments is monitored and operating without a license is severely punished. 25.L. (SBU) Colombian troops serve in the Multinational Force and Observers in the Sinai peninsula. There were no reports of trafficking by any Colombian forces deployed abroad. 25.M. (SBU) A new law that would provide for life imprisonment for convicted pedophiles is before Congress. The Colombian Penal Code of 2000 prohibits organizing or facilitating sexual tourism and provides penalties of three to eight years' imprisonment. The Penal Code does not have extraterritorial coverage. The Penal Code does not differentiate between sexual tourism for the purpose of relations with children or adults. -------------- PROTECTION AND ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS -------------- 26.A. (SBU) The government provides protection to victims and witnesses through the Fiscalia. The program is activated when (a) a victim or witness files charges (i.e., they submit a complaint to a competent legal authority) against an alleged trafficker, and (b) after an investigation, the complaint is found to have enough merit to warrant the Fiscalia bringing criminal charges against the alleged trafficker. The program includes provision of secure housing and an economic stipend for the victim or witness. As agreement for participation in the program, the victim or witness must agree not to leave the housing where they have been placed. The GOC does not provide shelter directly to trafficking victims, but it does help victims find housing. The GOC relies on international and local human rights organizations, such as IOM and the Hope Foundation, for most victims services. 26.B. (SBU) The COAT opened in June 2008 and serves as a central repository of assistance information, anti-trafficking programming, and a call-center for trafficking assistance and prevention. Through agreements with human rights organizations, the COAT will direct victims to appropriate victims' service centers. Foreign victims have the same access to care as domestic victims. In both domestic and international cases, MININT is responsible for providing safe passage for victims to return to their homes, lodging if needed, medical and psychological attention, access to financial and employment assistance, and information and legal support for the entire judicial process. The ICBF provides legal, medical, and psychological services for child victims in Colombia. MININT maintains a close relationship with the Hope and Rebirth Foundations, because victims often prefer to approach a private organization rather than a government office. Still, the GOC and IOM report that most victims only request assistance in returning to their homes; only 12 victims utilized the Hope Foundation's victims' services, which are offered to all victims identified by the GOC. 26.C. (SBU) MININT is responsible for providing safe passage for victims to return to their homes, lodging if needed, medical and psychological attention, access to financial and employment assistance, and information and legal support for the entire judicial process. The GOC also signed an agreement to provide 40,000 USD from the national budget to provide emergency assistance to victims through partner human rights organizations. 26.D. (SBU) Since Colombia is primarily a source and transit country, there is no demand for provision of temporary or permanent residency status or relief from deportation. 26.E. (SBU) The Fiscalia provides protection and housing to witnesses (see paragraph 26.A). 26.F. (SBU) The GOC does not detain or arrest victims. Identified victims are referred to the COAT to receive appropriate assistance from the member ministries and offices. 26.G. (SBU) According to both the GOC and IOM, many victims, though referred to the appropriate authority for their case, did not formally report their cases to the GOC. This made it difficult to assess the numbers of victims. (SBU) The national anti-trafficking call center, established by IOM, and handed over to the GOC in 2007, received 10,115 calls during the reporting period, of which 675 (6.7 percent) were directly related to trafficking. Many of those were calls requesting input on foreign job offers and were primarily preventive in nature. Thirty-eight cases were referred to the CNP to initiate investigations. (SBU) The Defensoria developed an early warning alert system similar to those for displacement to focus on vulnerable areas for trafficking -- this project referred two cases to the COAT. (SBU) The COAT coordinated investigation and victims services for 58 cases of internal and external trafficking from its opening in June 2008 to December 2008. Only 12 of the 58 victims took advantage of the Hope Foundation's victims' services program. IOM reports that victims frequently only request assistance returning home and do not wish to access additional victims' services. (SBU) IOM reported 27 victims in 2008. 26.H. (SBU) The Government did not have a mechanism in place to screen for trafficking victims amongst legalized prostitution establishments. 26.I. (SBU) Victims rights are respected and victims are not detained or jailed. Victims are not prosecuted or fined for violations of other laws, such as prostitution. 26.J. (SBU) The GOC encourages victims to assist in the investigation and prosecution of trafficking. According to the Fiscalia, no victims participated in investigations and prosecutions during the reporting period. The right of victims to seek civil action against their traffickers is not impeded. The COAT serves as a centralized access point to justice for victims. Still, many victims, fearing for their own safety or that of their families, are often reluctant to come forward. Colombia does not have a victim restitution program, but human rights organizations have programs to help victims reintegrate into society. 26.K. (SBU) UNODC, through an agreement with the Ministry of Interior and Justice, provided training to public prosecutors on trafficking issues. In 2008, the MFA, UNODC, and IOM developed trafficking informational materials that outlined GOC responsibilities for Colombian embassies and consulates abroad. Overseas, Colombian consulates are supposed to provide legal and social assistance to Colombian citizens in need, including victims of trafficking. The GOC has contracted legal advisors and social workers to help support Colombians abroad. However, this type of assistance can only be provided in consular districts with at least 10,000 resident Colombians. The assistance of the MFA and an Embassy begins the moment information is provided by a family member or friend in Colombia or the victim gets in touch with the Embassy. The Embassy then coordinates with host government authorities to provide immediate protection. The MFA assisted 22 trafficking victims abroad in 2008. 26.L. (SBU) Please see paragraph 26.B. 26.M. (SBU) The principal organizations that work with victims of trafficking are IOM, the Hope Foundation, and the Rebirth Foundation. The level of cooperation received by the organizations from the GOC is excellent, with only minor operational difficulties on joint projects noted by some human rights organizations. IOM and Hope Foundation have provided short-term assistance to trafficking victims, including repatriation assistance, educational information, social support, and counseling. IOM also provided victims with job training and employment opportunities through various programs, and helped victims obtain medical and psychological care. The Rebirth Foundation continues to contribute to the eradication of the sexual exploitation of children and adolescents. Its current activities include outreach work, education, health care and activity-based workshops in a variety of areas, as well as long-term shelters which help to adapt children to the routines of living in a house with others. Vocational skills, educational training, and therapy are also provided. -------------- PREVENTION -------------- 27.A. (SBU) In mid 2008, the GOC launched an education campaign called "The Next Victim Could be You." The campaign included TV commercials, radio spots, and print ads featuring popular television personality Pirry. Pirry also narrated a moving documentary on human trafficking that dramatically increased calls to the national anti-trafficking call center. The campaign will continue in 2009. The GOC, IOM, and some human rights organizations hosted anti-trafficking websites with public information on what services were available to victims of trafficking (including the sites www.tratadepersonas.gov.co). In 2007 and 2008, the GOC conducted campaigns targeting the tourism industries in 23 Colombian cities. The campaigns provided information on commercial sexual exploitation and provided local resources for support. 27.B. (SBU) Since Colombia is primarily a source or transit country, officials are more sensitized in detecting potential victims who are departing rather than arriving. The Hope Foundation has continued to aggressively target airport officials and related travel companies to raise sensitivity about trafficking victims. In 2008, the UIAF launched a new methodology for tracking financial movements that can identify some human trafficking networks. 27.C. (SBU) The mechanism for GOC coordination is the ICFTP. The MININT presides over the ICFTP. Fourteen agencies are members: MININT, MFA, Ministry of Social Protection (MSP), Ministry of Education, DAS, the CNP, the Fiscalia, the Procuraduria, the Office of the Human Rights Ombudsman (Defensoria),Interpol, ICBF, the Presidential Advisor for Equality of Women, The Ministry of Defense organization FONDELIBERTAD, and the Special Administrative Unit for Information and Financial Analysis. The ICFTP works closely with IOM and the Hope and Rebirth Foundations. 27.D. (SBU) Law 985 establishes the responsibility of the ICFTP to create a national action plan to address trafficking in persons. The fourteen member agencies of the ICFTP (see paragraph. 27.C) developed the plan with participation of civil society and human rights organizations. The ICFTP worked to integrate anti-trafficking issues into the National Plan of Development (2007-2010),including anti-trafficking language in the National Strategy Against the Prevention and Eradication of the Worst Forms of Child Labor, and is working at regional levels to include anti-trafficking issues in local development plans. 27.E. (SBU) In 2007 and 2008, the GOC conducted targeted campaigns to the tourism industries in 23 Colombian cities. The campaigns provided information on commercial sexual exploitation and provided local resources for support. 27.F. (SBU) The current maximum penalty for any crime in Colombia is 60 years. A bill that would increase prison time for convicted pedophiles -- up to life imprisonment -- is currently before Congress. The Colombian Penal Code of 2000 prohibits organizing or facilitating sexual tourism and provides penalties of three to eight years' imprisonment. The Penal Code does not have extraterritorial coverage. The Penal Code does not differentiate between sexual tourism for the purpose of relations with children or adults. 27.G. (SBU) Not applicable to Colombia. BROWNFIELD