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