SWAZILAND TIER 3 TIP REASSESSMENT

UNCLAS MBABANE 000197 DEPT FOR AF/S (MHarris),G-ACBlank, and G/TIP PRETORIA PLEASE PASS TO USAID (LReed) AND DAO (KLangdorf) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KTIP KCRM KWMN PGOV PHUM PREL SMIG WZ SUBJECT: SWAZILAND TIER 3 TIP REASSESSMENT REF: A) STATE 070787 B) STATE 081476 ¶1. SUMMARY: The government of the Kingdom of Swaziland (GKOS) has made significant and substantial progress in addressing human trafficking since the 2009 TIP report was published 90 days ago. It has moved forward on all of the items recommended in Swaziland's Tier 3 Action Plan. Swazi officials publicly recognized human trafficking as a problem, drafted and submitted an Anti-trafficking bill to the parliament, created a multi-sectored Anti-trafficking Task Force that is developing a national strategy on TIP, and began outreach efforts to educate the populace on the bill and the TIP issue. Once the legislation is passed, it will be important to work with the GKOS to ensure that authorities implement the measures proposed to prevent, protect and prosecute. END SUMMARY. ¶2. Since the 2009 TIP report was published in June, the GKOS has moved forward on all of the items recommended in Swaziland's Tier 3 Action Plan. In contrast to the political environment surrounding this issue prior to and immediately after the 2009 report, Swazi officials, including Prime Minister (PM) Dlamini, have publicly recognized the human trafficking problem and have encouraged efforts to fight it. To determine the nature and extent of the problem, local NGO Swaziland Action Plan Against Abuse (SWAGAA) was commissioned to report on TIP in Swaziland, and should complete its study within the next few months. ¶3. The GKOS also created a Task Force on Anti-trafficking and drafted a comprehensive Anti-trafficking and human smuggling bill, which is currently completing its mandatory thirty day public comment period prior to being voted on by the parliament. The Prime Minister has made a personal appeal for its passage, which is generally accepted as a mandate. Although some shortcomings in the bill have been identified through widely attended public discussions, amendments can be made. The PM feels it is important to utilize the momentum created by the Tier 3 ranking to get the bill passed and signed by King Mswati III, so implementation and subsequent refinement can begin. ¶4. Public education on the bill's contents has begun, with the first government-sponsored outreach occurring August 18. Numerous media interviews on the subject have already been conducted with the PM and Task Force members. The Anti-trafficking Task Force, made up of members from multiple government and law enforcement agencies, UNICEF and UNDP, and NGOs focused on assisting women, children, victims of abuse, and other vulnerable populations, has been drafting a road map to inform a national strategy on TIP. Members have confirmed that plans are being finalized for an anti-trafficking hotline that victims can use to get assistance and report occurrences of slavery. ¶5. More formal training by experienced law enforcement professionals, prosecutors, social workers, etc. will be important to successful implementation of the national strategy. Post hopes that project proposals developed to meet these needs will find funding. Embassy Mbabane will assist these efforts as much as possible with our small staff, and greatly appreciates the supportive visit by Ambassador CdeBaca and Mark Taylor. We have just received the box of resource materials requested by the head of the Task Force, and are sure they will be helpful. With our continued follow-up and the knowledge of the GKOS that legislation means nothing without implementation, Post believes that the next report will statistically demonstrate the progress made by the GKOS toward identification and prosecution of real perpetrators; identification of, protection and care for victims; and widespread public education that will help prevent future cases of human trafficking in Swaziland. Please let us know if additional information would be helpful. MORRISON