PROSECUTING TIP IN TANZANIA: USG SUPPORT

UNCLAS DAR ES SALAAM 000470 SIPDIS DEPT AF/E FOR JLIDDLE; G/TIP FOR RYOUSEY; INL; DRL DOJ/OPDAT FOR SILVERWOOD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KTIP KCRM PHUM KWMN SMIG TZ SUBJECT: PROSECUTING TIP IN TANZANIA: USG SUPPORT ¶1. Summary: USG support to Tanzania's Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) has helped prepare Tanzania to implement its new anti-trafficking in persons (TIP) legislation, which came into effect in February 2009. Through a Department of Justice program, U.S. prosecutors provided training to more than 50 Tanzanian prosecutors from across the country and identified prosecutors to conduct future training sessions. Following DOJ recommendations, the GOT has established an inter-ministerial working group on TIP and will disseminate information about the new law. DPP appears to be serious using its trained cadre on handling TIP cases as they arise, but follow-up assistance will be important. End Summary. ¶2. From September 2008 to April 2009, International Legal Advisor Demetri Jones presented a series of workshops to train more than 50 prosecutors in five regions, including on Zanzibar, on the effective use of the new legislation. The training included lectures, moot court exercises and discussions of prosecutorial techniques. Jones also trained DPP prosecutors as trainers on the TIP law, to reach prosecutors who could not attend the other sessions as well as new DPP prosecutors. (Note: DPP is projected to grow significantly in the next several years as Tanzania works to replace "police prosecutors," who handle many crimes at the local level, with professional prosecutors. End note.) ¶3. In a three week follow-up visit, ILA Margo Brodie worked with GOT officials on improving coordination to identify potential TIP cases for prosecution. Brodie facilitated the establishment of a working group involving DPP, police, and immigration officials as well as the local International Organization for Migration (IOM) office, which receives referrals from NGOs dealing with TIP victims. IOM representative Monica Peruffo offered to notify DPP, police and immigration simultaneously about such referrals, to assist with coordination. ¶4. To promote awareness of the new law, ILA provided police and prosecutors with 200 copies of the law for distribution to local police and prosecution offices nationwide. Police Superintendant Joseph Konyo agreed to an IOM proposal that he send the law to local police with a cover letter in Swahili explaining the law, particularly its definition of trafficking. (Note: Tanzanian laws are printed in English, although local police officials often have limited English skills.) ¶5. On July 10, Brodie and Poloff turned over to DPP Director Eliezer Feleshi multimedia equipment (laptop, printer and projector) for use by the DPP TIP trainers. Poloff used the occasion to review with Feleshi the recommendations in the U.S. 2009 TIP report. Feleshi said the GOT intends to see the new anti-TIP law becomes fully operational. He expressed appreciation for U.S. support. Brodie suggested a return visit by DOJ might be useful after several months, to allow the GOT time to identify TIP cases for prosecution. In a future visit, ILA would review training needs and provide guidance on prosecution of ongoing cases. ¶6. Comment: Tanzania continues to take steps towards combating TIP. DPP and the police appear to be serious about their commitment to legal action against traffickers. The next several months provide an opportunity for police and prosecutors, with assistance from IOM and NGO referrals, to identify TIP cases. Embassy appreciates DOJ/OPDAT's assistance and supports ILA's recommendation for additional support once DPP has developed cases for prosecution under the new law. ANDRE