DJIBOUTI: 2009 TIP INTERIM ASSESSMENT

UNCLAS DJIBOUTI 001367 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR AF/E, G/TIP, AND AF/RSA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV KTIP KCRM SMIG PHUM KWMN DJ SUBJECT: DJIBOUTI: 2009 TIP INTERIM ASSESSMENT REF: 09 STATE 112432; 09 DJIBOUTI 1303; 09 DJIBOUTI 1053 09 DJIBOUTI 1155; 09 DJIBOUTI 327 ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY. Djibouti has made important recent progress in recognizing and combating trafficking in persons (TIP). The GODJ took several key steps in 2009 to address TIP, including inviting the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to set up a Djibouti office, and working with IOM on an awareness campaign to discourage irregular migration and warn potential travelers of the risks of becoming a victim of TIP (refs B-D). Djibouti has consistently sought greater collaboration with its regional neighbors on TIP and migration issues, and the GODJ recently highlighted TIP issues during high-level bilateral talks with Ethiopia. The GODJ has welcomed a planned G/TIP-funded legal advisor to work with the Ministry of Justice on TIP prosecutions, and has consistently requested additional partnerships to combat TIP. Senior GODJ officials have recognized that TIP is an important challenge, and are increasingly looking both to domestic resources and to international partners for strategies and resources to combat it. END SUMMARY. -------------- -------------- -------------- SUCCESSFUL PROSECUTION OF TRAFFICKING OFFENDERS -------------- -------------- -------------- ¶2. (SBU) REF A QUESTION A: The GODJ continues to actively pursue and prosecute migrant smugglers and traffickers. GODJ justice officials (ref B) report that in the past two years, the GODJ has seized approximately 16 watercraft and 50 vehicles used by smugglers. According to police statistics published in June 2009, 148 such offenders were transferred to the judicial system, and 130 were eventually sentenced to prison terms. Senior GODJ officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Justice have warmly welcomed a planned G/TIP funded program that would provide a U.S. Department of Justice Office of Prosecutorial Development, Assistance, and Training (OPDAT) Intermittent Legal Advisor to work with the Ministry of Justice and other key officials on TIP prosecutions. (COMMENT. GODJ officials have increasingly demonstrated a nuanced understanding of the differences between TIP and migrant smuggling. Djibouti is facing large flows of voluntary economic migrants, and GODJ officials continue to underscore the importance of properly prosecuting both smugglers and traffickers. The OPDAT program may well boost the GODJ 's ability to effectively identify, differentiate, and prosecute both of these groups. END COMMENT.) -------------- -------------- NATIONWIDE ANTI-TRAFFICKING CAMPAIGN -------------- -------------- ¶3. (SBU) REF A QUESTION B: At the GODJ's invitation, IOM established a Djibouti office on May 13, in office space provided by the GODJ in the Ministry of Labor. The GODJ has worked effectively with IOM on an information campaign to discourage irregular migration, and to warn potential migrants of the danger of becoming a TIP victim. Several IOM-GODJ billboards have been put up at key locations throughout the country, such as the northern town of Obock (where many migrants depart for Yemen and the labor markets of the Gulf),and a central roundabout at a Djibouti-Ethiopia trucking corridor junction outside of Djibouti City. The billboards use easy-to-understand visual imagery, as well as short messages in several languages, to educate potential migrants. -------------- -------------- TRAINING ON ANTI-TRAFFICKING LAW -------------- -------------- ¶4. (SBU) REF A QUESTION C: GODJ officials at all levels continue to demonstrate greater familiarity with TIP issues and with Djibouti's 2007 comprehensive anti-trafficking law. In June 2009, Djiboutian officials participated in a three-day, IOM-sponsored workshop on the essentials of migration management, which included training elements on TIP. GODJ officials have welcomed the planned G/TIP-funded OPDAT program, which will include significant training elements for judges, prosecutors, and other GODJ officials. -------------- -------------- -------------- MECHANISMS FOR INCREASED PROTECTIVE SERVICES -------------- -------------- --- ¶5. (SBU) REF A QUESTION D: Djibouti hosts very few international NGOs, and many local NGOs have very limited capacity to implement large-scale programming. There are also very few NGOs working in trafficking-related fields. The GODJ continues to work with UNICEF and other partners on a program to assist orphans and vulnerable children (who may be more vulnerable to TIP or other forms of exploitation); a pilot phase of this program assisted 700 OVCs. The GODJ also supports orphan-sponsorship programs through the state-affiliated Islamic charity foundation Diwan al-Zakat. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Djiboutian officials continue to show an increased understanding of TIP, and increased political will to combat and prevent it. GODJ officials routinely acknowledge that much remains to be done to fight TIP, especially in areas such as victim protection. However, they have welcomed current modest USG assistance to address TIP issues, and have requested additional support to fully implement the letter and spirit of the 2007 anti-trafficking law. END COMMENT. SWAN