Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BRUSSELS244
2009-02-20 15:55:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Brussels
Cable title:  

BELGIUM: 2009 TIP REPORT -- CORRECTED COPY

Tags:  PHUM KTIP KCRM KWMN SMIG KFRD ASEC PREF ELAB 
pdf how-to read a cable
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 09 BRUSSELS 000244 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE PASS G/TIP, G-ACBLANK, EUR/WE, EUR/PGI, INL, DRL,
PRM, AND USAID

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM KTIP KCRM KWMN SMIG KFRD ASEC PREF ELAB
BE
SUBJECT: BELGIUM: 2009 TIP REPORT -- CORRECTED COPY

REF: 2008 SECSTATE 132759

THIS IS A CORRECTED COPY OF BRUSSELS 237. (Reason - reftel
and margins.)

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 09 BRUSSELS 000244

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE PASS G/TIP, G-ACBLANK, EUR/WE, EUR/PGI, INL, DRL,
PRM, AND USAID

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM KTIP KCRM KWMN SMIG KFRD ASEC PREF ELAB
BE
SUBJECT: BELGIUM: 2009 TIP REPORT -- CORRECTED COPY

REF: 2008 SECSTATE 132759

THIS IS A CORRECTED COPY OF BRUSSELS 237. (Reason - reftel
and margins.)


1. (U) POC for Brussels is Political Officer Aaron Jensen.
Email: JensenAW@state.gov; Office:33-2-508-2483.


2. (U) Hours spent by Embassy Brussels preparing this report
by employee: Charge Wayne Bush (FE-MC):3 hours;
Political-Economic Counselor Richard Eason (FO-01): 8 hours;
Political Officer Aaron Jensen (FO-02): 31 hours; Office
Management Specialist Ellen Hamblett (FS-05): 2 hours; Office
Management Specialist D'Lynn Wicker (FS-06): 2 hours;
Political Specialist Ivan Couttenier (LES-11): 120 hours.


3. (SBU) Begin Text of Report:


23. (SBU) THE COUNTRY'S TIP SITUATION

-- A. Information on trafficking in persons is supplied by
the Federal Police, the Justice Ministry, the Center for
Equal Opportunity and the Combat against Racism (CEOCR),the
shelters for victims, NGOs, and is also available through
parliamentary documents. These sources are publicly
available, are reliable, and annually updated.

-- B. Belgium is a destination and transit country for
trafficked persons. Female trafficking victims in Belgium
are usually young women, primarily from Eastern Europe,
Sub-Saharan Africa, and Asia. Prominent source countries are
Bulgaria, Romania, Russia, and Nigeria. Most victims are
trafficked to Belgium's larger cities or other European
countries (notably the United Kingdom) and are usually
trafficked for the purpose of sexual exploitation. Male
victims are typically trafficked for labor exploitation in
restaurants, bars, sweatshops, horticulture, fruit farms, and
construction sites. The main source countries of labor
trafficking victims are China, India and Brazil.

-- C. Trafficking victims are often held in degrading
conditions. Judges take the following conditions into
consideration when rendering trafficking verdicts: housing
conditions; workload and pay in economic exploitation cases;
deprivation of identity documents; use of physical violence;

and use of extortion. Victims of sexual exploitation often
travel legally to Belgium, their destination country, and
become illegal aliens by overstaying. Many girls were
victims of sexual exploitation in their home countries.

-- D. Belgium is not a source country.

-- E. Traffickers include both large international crime
syndicates and smaller criminal organizations active in
several types of organized crime. . Criminal groups are
increasingly professionally organized. Ring leaders often
operate from outside Belgium and make use of middlemen. Most
of these criminal organizations come from Western Africa,
Bulgaria, and Romania. Female victims are offered lucrative
jobs, but end up in the prostitution business. Whereas
traditional prostitution is diminishing, massage parlors,
commercial escort services, and internet prostitution are
gaining ground. Victims of economic exploitation are often
trafficked through employment agencies. Marriage brokers are
also involved in trafficking.



24. (SBU) SETTING THE SCENE FOR THE GOVERNMENT'S ANTI-TIP
EFFORTS:

-- A. The Belgian authorities acknowledge that trafficking is
a problem.

BRUSSELS 00000244 002 OF 009



-- B. The Council of Ministers sets policy orientation, which
is implemented through the Interdepartmental Coordination
Unit for the Combat against Trafficking and Smuggling. The
anti-TIP effort is a key part of the government's 2008-2011
law enforcement program. The Coordination Unit meets two or
three times per year, and is chaired by the Justice Minister.
A secondary, technical level inter-agency group meets
monthly to carry out Coordination Unit's directives. This
group includes representatives from the Criminal Policy
Department of the Justice Ministry, the Center for Equal
Opportunities and the Combat against Racism (CEOCR),the
Immigration Office, the Federal Police, the State Security
Service, the Social Welfare Ministry, and the Employment
Ministry. The information gathering is in the hands of the
IAMM/CIATTEH. The latter's capability to analyze trafficking
is hampered, by the legal privacy restriction which forces
IAMM/CIATTEH to use anonymous data.

-- C. Neither funding nor corruption is considered
impediments to combating trafficking in Belgium. The CEOOR
listed lack of parliamentary oversight in its 2007 annual
report a as its chief recommendation; there is no specific
parliamentary committee addressing trafficking.

-- D. Over the past several years Belgium has greatly
improved its data gathering regarding trafficking, with
information supplied by the Justice ministry, the Federal
Police, and the three specialized trafficking shelters. The
Center for Equal Opportunity and the Combat against Racism
(CEOCR) is tasked with issuing an annual evaluation report on
the government's anti-trafficking policy and efforts. The
CEOCR's 2007 annual trafficking report was issued in May 2008.


25. (SBU) INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION OF TRAFFICKERS.

-- A. The first anti-smuggling measures were taken under the
1980 Access to the Territory, Residence, and Immigration Act.
In 1995 Parliament adopted the first comprehensive
anti-trafficking act. The Belgian act of April 13, 1995,
contained a series of measures aimed at repressing human
trafficking and child pornography. The law defined
trafficking in persons as "helping in any way whatsoever,
either directly or through an intermediary, an alien who
enters or resides in Belgium, and, in doing so, directly or
indirectly making use of fraudulent practices, violence,
threats or any form of force against that alien on account of
his or her uncertain administrative status or due to
pregnancy, illness, disability or mental disorder."" In 2002,
Parliament adopted legislation to combat organized crime more
effectively. A further restructuring of the anti-trafficking
effort occurred in 2004.

In 2005, lawmakers adopted a major overhaul of the 1995
legislation. It aligned Belgian legislation with prevailing
European and international law, in particular the additional
protocols to the UN Convention Against Transnational
Organized Crime (2000),The EU Council framework decision on
combating trafficking in human beings (2002),the EU
directive on the facilitation of unauthorized entry, transit
and residence (2002),and the EU Council framework decision
on the strengthening of the penal framework to prevent the
facilitation of unauthorized entry, transit and residence.

Following passage of the 2005 law, it became possible to
pursue criminal cases for recruiting, transporting,
transiting, providing shelter, and passing on the control
over persons for the purpose of prostitution, child
pornography, exploitation of mendacity, economic
exploitation, organ transplant or forced commitment of
crimes. This law made it easier for the authorities to arrest
slumlords, and combat forced begging. Moreover, the new

BRUSSELS 00000244 003 OF 009


legislation applied to both Belgian and foreign perpetrators,
and it made possible to pursue domestic trafficking cases.
It set a distinct definition for smuggling vs. trafficking,
and made it impossible to invoke consent of the victim as a
defense against criminal charges. Aggravating circumstances
included committing fraud, threatening the life of the
victims, involvement in a criminal organization,
vulnerability of the victim (under age),use of violence, and
causing severe harm to or death of the victim. The
authorities amended the 2005 law in 2006 by making it a crime
to contract a fake marriage, receive compensation for
arranging a fake marriage, or inciting others to do so.

The September 15, 2006, law permitted trafficking victims who
opted to collaborate with the authorities the ability to
obtain legal guarantees to remain in Belgium. The
legislation came into force June 1, 2007.

On February 1, 2007 the Justice Minister issued a new
directive on investigating and prosecuting trafficking cases.
The directive better defined economic exploitation, and it
contained a detailed list of trafficking indicators. It
outlined coordination by the prosecuting magistrates, and
listed cases that have to be prioritized (young victims,
human dignity, use of force, or organized nature of the
crime). The directive also contained provisos on how police
forces have to conduct investigations, and it emphasized the
need to direct victims to specialized shelters.

-- B. and C. Persons convicted of violating anti-trafficking
legislation are subject to one to five years of imprisonment
and are fined between 2,750 Euros ($3,575) and 275,000 Euros
($357,500). For repeat offenders, those convicted for
offences of an organized nature, or other aggravating
circumstances, the punishment increases from 10 to 15 years
imprisonment along with fines up to 550,000 euro. If the
offenders belong to a criminal organization, or if the
trafficking results in manslaughter, the punishment is 15 to
20 years imprisonment and a fine ranging from 5,000 euro
($6,500) to 825,000 euro ($1,072,500). Persons convicted of
trafficking for economic exploitation are subject to one to
five years imprisonment and are fined between 2,750 euro
($3,575) and 275,000 euro ($357,500). The law specifies that
Belgian nationals can also be the victim of economic
exploitation. The law defines economic exploitation as
employment in circumstances that that violate the employee's
human dignity. Belgium is using a much broader definition
than the European Framework decision. The use of force or
exploitation of vulnerability is not a requirement to an
determination of exploitation. Employers or labor agents who
confiscate workers' passports or travel documents for the
purpose of trafficking or switch contracts without the
worker's consent violate the law. Moreover, wage, hours, and
working conditions that do not meet the standards of the
prevailing labor legislation and collective bargaining
agreements is exploitation of labor under Belgian law.

-- D. Penalties for rape and forcible sexual assault are
rather similar, and range from five years up to 30 years
imprisonment, if the crime results in the death of the victim.

-- E. (2008 LAW ENFORCEMENT STATISTICS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT A
LATER DATE.) The courts systematically prosecute trafficking
cases under the prevailing legislation as detailed under A.,
B., and C. Investigation of ad prosecution of trafficking is
done according to a Justice Minister's directive which came
into force on February 1, 2007. The directive provides
police and magistrates a list of indicators to identify
victims. The Federal Police handled 609 sexual exploitation
cases and 220 economic exploitation cases in 2007, compared
to 642 and 183 cases the previous year. The Federal Police
handled 375 child prostitution and sex tourism cases,

BRUSSELS 00000244 004 OF 009


compared to 197 in 2006.

In January 2009, the police arrested three persons in
connection with exploitation of girls coming from Brazil,
Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Russia. The Police in
November 2008 arrested a Turkish national and his Bulgarian
female partner who were
exploiting and extorting Bulgarian workers on a chicken farm.
The Police arrested on October 13, 2008 a physician who
performed an abortion on a trafficking victim. In October
2008 three persons were arrested who were operating a
prostitution ring active in Belgium, the Netherlands,
Germany, and Spain. The victims were mainly Nigerian girls.
In June 2008 five persons were arrested who were involved in
sexual exploitation and the drug trade. On July 1, 2008, the
labor court magistrate's office conducted a search at
Brussels' leading Conrad hotel where a sheikha and her
relatives from the United Arab Emirates were illegally
exploitation 17 servants. Eleven of the servants opted to
collaborate with the judicial authorities. Eight family
members were charged with human trafficking. The sheikha and
her relatives left the country and the investigation was
still ongoing at the completion of this report.

In January 2009, the Brussels first instance court handed
down four years imprisonment and a 22,000 euro ($28,600) fine
to a Bulgarian member of a trafficking ring. Some of the
victims applied for trafficking victim status. On January
26, 2009 the Antwerp district court convicted a lawyer to
five years imprisonment and a 5,000 euro ($6,500) fine for
raping an under aged girl and trafficking her from Morocco to
Belgium. On December 17, 2008, the Ghent Appellate Court
handed down three and four years prison sentences to two
Chinese nationals for economic exploitation and trafficking.
The court confiscated assets to the tune of 750,000 euro
($975,000). The victims were exploited by restaurants and
were forced to work six days a week and 12 hours days. The
judge also ruled that their housing conditions were inhumane.
The victims successfully applied for trafficking victim
status. In November 2008 the Ieper Chamber
of Indictment ruled that 32 people would stand trial on
smuggling and trafficking charges as members of a criminal
organization specialized in arranging fake marriages for
Indian and Pakistani men who were seeking to obtain permanent
residence in Belgium. On November 26, 2008, the Antwerp Court
of Assizes convicted six Iraqi nationals to prison sentences
ranging from 3 to 25 years imprisonment for having taken
hostage and tortured two Indian, nationals in order to obtain
a ransom for smuggling the two to the United Kingdom.
Defense lawyers argued that both defendants and plaintiffs
were members of rivaling trafficking rings.

In rendering verdicts in economic exploitation cases the
courts take into account such elements as the confiscation
of passports, travel documents, pay, employment and housing
conditions, the use of physical force, and sexual abuse.

-- F. The Justice Minister and the Board of Prosecutors
General determine on prosecution priorities. Training on
recognizing trafficked persons is well established in law
enforcement agencies and procedures for dealing with
trafficking cases are well known. The Justice Ministry and
the Justice High Council organized special training for
magistrates. The Foreign Ministry provided training for
diplomats and the Federal police for its federal and local
forces dealing with trafficking. In 2007 the Justice
Ministry issued a directive for helping magistrates and
police forces in detecting and prosecuting trafficking cases.
In September 2008 the Interior, Justice, Employment, Foreign
Affairs, Social Welfare and Finance ministries jointly issued
a directive on coordinating aid to trafficking victims. The
directive covered how to identify victims, what action has to

BRUSSELS 00000244 005 OF 009


be taken by the authorities and agencies dealing with
trafficking, how victims have to be directed to shelters and
administrative steps to be taken for the victims.

-- G. Belgium collaborates regularly with the International
Organization for Migration (IOM, the United Nations and the
Council of Europe). Belgium cooperates within the Schengen
countries framework to combat visa fraud. Belgium has
supported a preventive program for the Great Lakes Region of
Africa sponsored by UNICEF. It has contributed to preventive
OSCE and OIM programs in Georgia. It has contributed to
UNFPA, UNICEF and OHCHR programs for the prevention of
violence against women and children in the Democratic
Republic of Congo (DCR). It has also contributed to an
UNICEF program for combating the child trade in Western
Africa.

-- H. Belgians and foreign nationals can be extradited under
the European arrest warrant. The Belgian Parliament has
adopted this European framework decision. Belgian has some
50 extradition treaties in force with other countries.
Moreover, the Federal Police exchange information with
Europol and Interpol, and countries with which Belgian has
bilateral or multilateral cooperation agreements. The
Federal Prosecutor acts as Belgium's contact with Eurojust.
Belgium frequently sends rogatory commissions to foreign
countries, and it has obtained the extradition of suspects to
Belgium. According to the CEOCR, Belgian law enforcement
encounters difficulties in obtaining cooperation from
Bulgaria, a new EU member state. No trafficking offenders
were extradited to the United States.

-- I. and J. There is no evidence of government involvement
in or tolerance of trafficking.

-- K. Prostitution as such is not a criminal act, but
organizing prostitution and forcing people to prostitute
themselves are criminal offences. Prostitution under the age
of 18 is always considered coercion or abuse of trust under
the law, and sentenced accordingly. The law of November 2000
has reinforced protection of minors with regard to
trafficking, prostitution and pornography. The Federal Police
in 2006 registered 3,504 cases of sexual assault and rape
involving minors, compared to 3,411 such cases in 2005. The
Federal Police registered 310 child prostitutions cases in
2006, compared to 354 the previous year. Child prostitution
cases on the internet can be reported to the police through
www.ecops.be. The Justice Ministry registered 39 convictions
in child prostitution cases in 2007, compared to 24 the
previous year. Prostitution in bars is diminishing, while
prostitution in massage parlors and through escort services
is increasing. There is a significant increase of people
prostituting themselves through the internet. Law enforcement
agencies encounter great difficulties monitoring this form of
prostitution. Several cities and towns have taken measures
to curtail prostitution. Following the example of Brussels
and Antwerp, in September 2008, the Liege city government
closed 51 brothels, limiting prostitution to a few registered
bars. On January 6, 2009, a Brussels judge handed down a
four-year imprisonment sentence and a 22,000 euro ($28,600)
fine to a Bulgarian national for pimping and trafficking.

-- L. There were no reports of Belgian troops contributing
to international peacekeeping missions becoming involved in
trafficking.

-- M. The Belgian authorities identify sex tourism and child
pornography as a serious problem and specific legislation for
combating these criminal acts has been adopted by the
lawmakers. In 2000 and again in 2008 the Belgian Parliament
adopted constitutional proviso on children's rights
guaranteeing respect for moral, physical and sexual integrity

BRUSSELS 00000244 006 OF 009


of children. In 2005 the lawmakers amended the 1995 act on
combating human trafficking and child pornography. New
provisions were added to the criminal code enhancing the
protection of minors, particularly with regard to
trafficking, prostitution and pornography.

In 2007 the Federal Police handled 375 child pornography and
sex tourism cases, up from the 197 handled in 2006. The
federal Police in 2006 arrested a Belgian national who
sexually abused his two daughters, and prostituted his
daughters. An Italian national videotaed the violations and
sold the tapes via the nternet. In total 35 children were
abused, ad worldwide 2,500 internet clients were identifed.


26. (SBU) PROTECTION AND ASSISTANCE TO VCTIMS:

-- A. In 2006, Parliament enacted complete overhaul of the
1980 Immigration Act, bringing Belgian legislation in line
with prevailing EU directives, such as the EU Directive
2004/81 on awarding residence to trafficking victims who opt
to operate with the authorities. As a result, the prevailing
Belgian protections system is now supported by law, and has
been extended to certain categories of smuggling victims
including unaccompanied minors, the vulnerable, the deceived,
and the ill. The law covers nationals from outside and from
within the European Union. Denial of victim status can be
appealed through a special judicial college.

Victims have 45 days to decide what to do and can qualify for
a renewable 3-month residence permit or a 6-month permit,
depending on the state of the judicial investigation. In
order to qualify for an extension, the victims have to break
all links with the alleged perpetrators and collaborate in
the investigation. The prosecutor must establish whether the
person is a trafficking victims or a victims of a serious
form of smuggling. Victims can eventually obtain permanent
residence after the traffickers are sentenced or if the
prosecutor files a trafficking case. Victims can file for
damages.

On September 26, 2008 the government and the College of
Prosecutors General issued a directive on multidisciplinary
cooperation to deal with trafficking victims. The directive
contains detailed guidelines on how the federal police, the
social security and labor inspection services, the
Immigration Office, the shelters and the magistrates must
cooperate in locating victims and providing them with
appropriate assistance so that they know how , including
explaining the possibility of qualifying for victim
protection and how to do so.

-- B. The Federal and regional governments fund three
officially recognized shelters for victims: one in Brussels,
one in Antwerp, and the third in Liege. These centers
provide medical, psychological, administrative, assimilation,
social, and judicial assistance. The shelters cater almost
exclusively to foreign victims. Child victims enjoy the same
rights and can also qualify for victim protection. Children
have three months to decide and are immediately registered.
If a child fails to qualify under trafficking protection
legislation, he or she would still qualify for protection
granted under the rules for unaccompanied minors illegally
staying in Belgium. If the child is presumed to be a
trafficking victim he or she is directed to one of the
specialized centers operated by the regional governments.
The government covers their education and medical expenses.

-- C. The government-sponsored shelters provide trafficking
victims with access to legal, medical and psychological
services. Judicial assistance is provided by the shelters in
collaboration with the police and magistrates.
Administrative assistance is provided in conjunction with the

BRUSSELS 00000244 007 OF 009


Immigration Office. Victims can either stay in safe houses
operated by the shelters or opt for an individual dwelling.
The shelters also provide psychological aid. The shelters
are sponsored at the federal and regional level of
government. Funding consists of direct subsidies and wages
of collaborators paid by the authorities.

-- D. The September 2008 directive tasks the police, the
social security and labor inspection services, the
Immigration Office, and the Commissariat for refugees and
Stateless persons with informing potential victims of their
rights, and with directing them to shelters if they wish to
apply for trafficking victim status. Depending on the legal
proceedings, victims may qualify for temporary and permanent
residence.

-- E. Victims qualify for housing, administrative, legal and
psychological aid.

-- F. Law enforcement agencies systematically refer victims
to shelters, even if the victim fails to identify himself as
a victim. Most victims are sent to the shelters through the
federal and local police forces.

-- G. In 2008 the three shelters provided assistance to 495
victims, compared to 438 the previous year. Of the total
number of 475 for 2008, 202 were new victims. The three
shelters noted a significant increase in victims of economic
exploitation in 2008, to the extent that economic victims
outnumbered the victims of sexual exploitation referred to
the shelters. The three shelters also registered a growing
number of male victims. Most victims assisted by the
shelters came from China, Bulgaria, Romania, Brazil, India,
Nigeria, and Morocco. In 2007, 62 victims received full
victim status. The most common reason for not achieving
victim status is the lack of evidence to substantiate the
claim of trafficking.

-- H. The procedure for proactively identifying victims is
contained in the September 2008 directive issued by the
government and the college of prosecutors-general.
Employment conditions that are not compatible with the
prevailing Belgian standard are sufficient grounds to qualify
as a victim of trafficking. If a victim is identified by the
police or inspection services, they must inform the
prosecutor of the judicial district, the Immigration Office
and one of the shelters.

-- I. Victims are not fined, detained, jailed or deported.
The average stay in the shelters is between one and six
months.

-- J. The system is designed to obtain cooperation from the
victims. Victims are encouraged to collaborate with the law
enforcement agencies during the judicial investigation, but
also by starting litigation against the offenders. The
shelters have the authority to file a lawsuit in their own
name or in the name of the victim. When the victim is a
material witness in a court case against a former employers,
the victim is permitted to seek other employment. Victims can
seek restitution.

-- K. Training to recognize trafficked persons is well
established in law enforcement agencies, and procedures for
dealing with trafficking cases are well known. The Foreign
Ministry provided training for its diplomats posted in origin
countries.

-- L. There were no nationals among the victims who needed to
be repatriated.

-- M. Belgium collaborates regularly with the International

BRUSSELS 00000244 008 OF 009


Organization for Migration (IOM),of which it is a founding
member, the United Nations and the Council of Europe.
Belgium had participated in a multinational IOM project on
the training of border guards for assisting victims of
trafficking. In July 2007 it organized the first Global Forum
on Migration and Development. The Foreign Ministry in
Brussels has a department dealing with immigration and asylum
issues, and the department is headed by an ambassador.
Victims of trafficking have the possibility of free
reintegration to their home country within the framework of
the REAB program (Return and Emigration of Asylum seekers ex.
Belgium). Two special funds have provided financial
incentives to facilitate reintegration and return to home
countries. The King Baudouin Foundation sponsors projects
for the reintegration of trafficking victims in their home
countries, Balkan countries in particular.


27. (SBU) PREVENTION

-- A. The government acknowledges that trafficking is a
problem in the country and fighting trafficking is one of the
priorities of the government's 2008-2011 National Security
Plan. "Stop Child Prostitution" is an ongoing nationwide
campaign sponsored by Child Focus, the Federal Police, the
Defense and Foreign Affairs ministry, TAGS:BE the Federation
of Transportation Enterprises, Belgian Rail, ECPAT and FIT.
Belgium is also providing financial support to prevention
campaigns organizd by UNICEF,the OSCE, OIM, FNUAP and
OHCHR. The King Baudouin Foundation has conducted information
campaigns regarding the situation of diplomatic household
personnel. The CEOCR and the tree shelters on October 18,
2008, participated in the European Anti-Trafficking Day. The
prosecuting office of the Liege judicial district acts as
contact point for the press.

-- B. The monitoring of immigration and emigration patterns
is conducted by the Information and Analysis Center on Human
Trafficking and Smuggling (IAMM),and by the CEOCR.

-- C. IAMM also is in charge of coordination and
communication between the various minitries and law
enforcement agencies.

-- D. In 2008 the government issued a 50-page Trafficking in
Persons action plan. The plan was developed with all the
ministries and agencies involved in combating trafficking.

-- E. Measures to rein in prostitution come under the
jurisdiction of local governments.

-- F. "Stop Child Prostitution" is an ongoing program, and
each year the authorities focus on a particular aspect, for
example, on reporting cases of child prostitution. The
prevention campaigns are organized by Child Focus, ECPAT, the
National Lottery, Belgian Rail, Brussels Airlines, The
Foreign Affairs Ministry, the Defense ministry, Foster Plan,
tourism academies, and road transportation organizations.
During summer 2008 awareness campaigns were organized at
railway stations and airports. The Flemish regional minister
in charge of tourism reached an agreement with travel
agencies on a code of conduct, specifically aimed at
combating trafficking and child prostitution.

-- G. The Defense Ministry authorities in cooperation with
the three victims' shelters provide information and organize
awareness drives for all Belgian troops. Troops deployed in
peacekeeping missions receive specific training on how to
detect trafficking. Standard procedures have been developed
so that troops deployed outside of Belgium are capable of
spotting incidents of trafficking. There is a standard
procedure for reporting such incidents to commanding officers.


BRUSSELS 00000244 009 OF 009


END TEXT OF REPORT.

BUSH
.