MONITORING REPORT ON HURIDETSA G/TIP GRANT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 HARARE 000307 SENSITIVE SIPDIS AF/S FOR BWALCH DRL FOR NWILETT G/TIP FOR JLARSEN, RYOUSEY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PREF PGOV KTIP ZI SUBJECT: MONITORING REPORT ON HURIDETSA G/TIP GRANT Ref: 08 STATE 104501 ¶1. (U) On March 30, poloff visited the local non-governmental organization Human Rights and Development Trust of Southern Africa (HURIDETSA) to evaluate progress on a US$300,000 grant that was awarded by G/TIP on September 25, 2008. ¶2. (SBU) The answers below are keyed in response to questions posed in reftel. ¶A. Political officer met with the following persons at the HURIDETSA office in Harare: Emma Gweshe, Executive Director; Hope-Mary Nsangi, Senior Program Officer; Shonhiwa Bakare, Assistant Program Officer; and Farai George Chiweshe, Research Consultant. ¶B. This project aims to determine the extent to which corruption contributes to human trafficking in the SADC region with the intent to identify possible strategies to address the problem and to build capacity to fight both corruption and trafficking. Specifically, the objectives of the two-year project are to: (1) conduct a situational analysis of the magnitude and forms of corruption that promote human trafficking through organized crime in the SADC region, (2) conduct a training needs assessment with anti-corruption and anti-trafficking institutions, (3) hold meetings with governmental and non-governmental stakeholders in anti-trafficking and anti-corruption to discuss the outcomes of the two studies and to identify ways forward, and (4) provide training - based on the research and consultations - for law enforcement, anti-corruption agencies, and anti-trafficking agencies. HURIDETSA has nearly completed its first objective, a situational analysis of corruption and TIP in the region. HURIDETSA's findings to date indicate anti-TIP legislation in the region is weak, not comprehensive, and does not contain provisions that recognize the relationship between corruption and human trafficking. At the time of our meeting, they had met with officials in Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Botswana and were preparing to travel to Mozambique. They found that officials from Zimbabwe's neighbors were fairly forthcoming with information on trafficking, legislation, and progress in rooting out corruption. The Zimbabwean government, however, particularly the Zimbabwe Republic Police, has proven reluctant to share information on its efforts in arresting, charging, and prosecuting traffickers. HURIDETSA has not been able �00A;to obtain statistics on trafficking in Zimbabwe. (NOTE: Post also requested this information for the TIP report but has not yet received any data. END NOTE.) HURIDETSA staff also noted concerns that some immigration officials and police, particularly in Zimbabwe, do not understand the difference between trafficking and smuggling. HURIDETSA accessed its funds in October and admits it is behind its target dates. The situational analysis was scheduled to take three months, but is now entering its sixth month, largely due to the difficulty in obtaining data. ¶C. Obtaining information from government authorities has proven more difficult and time consuming than anticipated, putting the project back several months. Zimbabwean government officials resist providing information and have demanded more details about HURIDETSA's funding. HURIDETSA has not disclosed that the U.S. government is funding the research, preferring to say that they receive funding from a "basket" to which several donors contribute. Like most organizations in Zimbabwe, HURIDETSA has encountered challenges in preparing and following its budgets, first in a hyperinflationary environment and now under dollarization. The Qhyperinflationary environment and now under dollarization. The current budget reflects infrastructure costs that are no longer accurate as dollarization has caused rent and utility bills to skyrocket. In addition, all but one of HURIDETSA's other projects have ended, leaving a shortage of salary funds. HURIDETSA has several applications pending with other organizations that may ease some of the salary and infrastructure burdens. HURIDETSA plans to submit a revised budget to G/TIP to reflect budgetary changes. ¶D. The operational environment for NGOs in Zimbabwe is significantly improved versus a year ago. Nonetheless, HURIDETSA remains cautious. Zimbabwean authorities frequently question the source of its funding and HURIDETSA staff fear retribution or a further reduction in information if GOZ officials learn the project is funded by the USG. ¶E. Staffing appears to be adequate both in terms of technical knowledge and management to carry out the project. HURIDETSA is based in Zimbabwe and does not have external headquarters. ¶F. G/TIP may consider helping HURIDETSA revise its budget and timeline to reflect the changing budgetary conditions and the HARARE 00000307 002 OF 002 potential need to extend the grant with a no-cost extension at the grant's completion. ¶G. This project advances current deficiencies by providing vital information on the legal framework for TIP in Zimbabwe and in the region, which will help lawmakers improve anti-TIP and anti-corruption laws and law enforcement. Under the transitional government in Zimbabwe, HURIDETSA and Post hope that official information and statistics may be more forthcoming. ¶H. Overall, HURIDETSA is making progress towards implementing this project. HURIDETSA is a viable candidate for continued funding, although it may benefit from further assistance developing work plans and budgets that allow flexibility in Zimbabwe's continued uncertain political and economic environment. MCGEE