2009 TIP INTERIM ASSESSMENT

UNCLAS LUANDA 000704 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/RSA, G/TIP E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KCRM KTIP KWMN PGOV PHUM SMIG AO SUBJECT: 2009 TIP INTERIM ASSESSMENT REF: (A) STATE 112432 1.(SBU) Since issuance of the 2009 Trafficking in Persons report, post summarizes performance by the Government of Angola on points specified Reftel para M as follows. 2.(SBU) Little progress in enacting laws to prohibit and punish all forms of trafficking in persons: Government has so far entrusted the task to a commission charged with revising the entire national penal code, expressing a preference that new anti-trafficking laws be a part of that code. 3.(SBU) Measurable progress in increasing capacity of law enforcement officials to identify victims, but little progress to protect them: Government worked closely with partners and co-funded seminars for law enforcement, immigration, military, judicial and provincial administration officials. Ministry of Interior supported these sessions at Vice-Minister level. Further, government/partners funded and launched an information campaign to protect visitors to forthcoming CAN African football championships against traffickers. At the level of protecting victims, government increased its efforts to create at least one victim shelter. 4.(SBU) Little progress, but first-ever movement toward systematically collecting data on offenses, victims, and prosecutions: Government gave financial support for creation of a Luanda data base of victims and perpetrators. 5.(SBU) Moderate progress in reporting on anti-TIP activities: Government was frank and responsive to requests from press and international partners for information on these activities, though the volume of such reports was low until recently. 6.(SBU) Angola today is beyond the position described in the 2009 TIP Report; the government's commitment of resources (costs and labor sharing) and intensive anti-trafficking education grew remarkably in the past three months. During the same period, key officials in the Ministry of Interior for the first time made public commitments to face up to the country's trafficking problems. It may be several months before arrests and convictions reflect the new vigor of government and its partners, notably a concerted effort to suppress expected trafficking during the Africa Cup of Nations soccer tournament in January. The visit of a G/TIP official and her consultation with the executive and legislative branches during October brought new clarity to government's immediate goals--creating integrated assistance and protection for victims, and formulating a comprehensive new anti-trafficking law. The government has the will and many of the necessary means to realize the first goal. And while the scope of a new anti-trafficking law is still under discussion in the executive branch, parliament's human rights committee, and civil society as a whole, are clamoring for creation of new legislation. In post's assessment, the public's embrace of both goals, and fast increasing political support from key ministerial officials, are proof that Angola's commitment to combat trafficking is now authentic and viable. MOZENA