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