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