INDONESIA/TIP -- MORE PROGRESS AS PROSECUTIONS AND

UNCLAS JAKARTA 000759 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, EAP/RSP, G/TIP, DRL, PRM/RSP NSC FOR EPHU E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV ELAB KWMN PREL ID SUBJECT: INDONESIA/TIP -- MORE PROGRESS AS PROSECUTIONS AND CONVICTIONS SPIKE REF: JAKARTA 378 AND PREVIOUS ¶1. (U) This message is Sensitive but Unclassified -- Please handle accordingly. ¶2. (U) SUMMARY: This message updates the 2009 Indonesia Anti-Trafficking in Persons Report, providing updated law enforcement data for 2008. This data documents sharp increases in arrest, prosecution and conviction of traffickers for the third year in a row. Lengths of sentences also increased. ¶3. (SBU) SUMMARY (Con'd): Both in terms of percentage increases and gross numbers these latest figures prove that Indonesian success in imprisoning traffickers continued to improve dramatically after passage of the tough new anti-trafficking law in 2007. Because of robust law enforcement and other accomplishments in protection and prevention outlined in reftel, Indonesia belongs at Tier 2 status for 2009. END SUMMARY. UPDATED DATA ON TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS (TIP) ¶4. (U) Mission recently received updated data on prosecutions and convictions of traffickers from Indonesia's Attorney General's Office and local law enforcement agencies. This data was not yet available when we submitted reftel report. The new data documents steep increases in arrest, prosecution and conviction of traffickers in 2008 compared with 2007 along with an increase in average length of sentences. The metrics follow: --Arrests increased 15% from 252 to 291. --Prosecutions increased 18% from 109 to 129. --Convictions increased 19% from 46 to 55. --Average length of sentences increased 4% from 45 months to 47 months. ¶5. (U) The new March 2007 anti-trafficking law was used vigorously in 2008 despite a lagtime used to pass implementing regulations and for cases prosecuted under the new law to move their way through the judicial system. The new law was used in 64 prosecutions in 2008 and 12 convictions. (Note: Many of the cases which did not use the new law originated before the law was passed.) OTHER SIGNIFICANT STRIDES ¶6. (SBU) As outlined in reftel, the GOI made other significant strides in fighting trafficking in 2008, including: --A special new anti-trafficking unit set up by Jakarta police which shut down large trafficking syndicates. --Closure by the Manpower Ministry of nine labor recruitment agencies because of involvement in trafficking. --A national joint police operation across 11 provinces (one third of the nation) to rescue women and children from sexual exploitation, resulting in hundreds of victims rescued and dozens of traffickers arrested. --Establishment of 305 district-level women's help desks to assist women and children trafficking victims, and 41 Integrated Service Centers. These facilities aim to provide a full range of services for victims. --Extensive GOI outreach in all 33 provinces to educate local citizens on the new anti-trafficking law and establish local anti-trafficking task forces. --Arrest for trafficking-related offenses of local government officials, immigration officials, and senior diplomats, including a former Ambassador to Malaysia. INDONESIA MERITS TIER 2 STATUS ¶7. (SBU) The GOI made big strides in 2008 in fighting trafficking due in large part to widespread awareness of the problem and strong political will. Indonesia has demonstrated it belongs in Tier 2 because of this progress. We will focus efforts and work closely with the GOI to address the weaknesses noted in reftel. HUME