Uruguay TIP Training: Standing Room Only

UNCLAS MONTEVIDEO 000660

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KTIP UY
SUBJECT: Uruguay TIP Training: Standing Room Only


1. Summary: Post cohosted a two-day training on trafficking
in persons on November 9- 10 with Partners for the Americas. The
event was standing room only, and received excellent feedback from
participants and positive press coverage. Due to interest and
space limitations, post will plan to offer a second training
session in 2010. Embassy wishes to thank Washington agencies and
ILEA for their excellent support for TIP training. End summary.



A Successful Event

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2. Over the past two years, post has sent 15 local law
enforcement officials to trafficking in persons (TIP) trainings at
the International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) in Lima. Students
consistently return impressed with the breadth and depth of the
information provided, and motivated to share the information
locally. An ILEA returnee in conjunction with the Partners for the
Americas Committee for At Risk Populations approached post with the
Montevideo TIP training concept, "Detection, Investigation and
Prosecution of Trafficking in Persons." Emboffs embraced the idea
and offered full embassy support.




3. The event was held at the IBIS hotel, which offered free
use of its largest conference room. Poloff served as MC and A/DCM
offered opening words to an oversubscribed audience (108
participants in a room designed for 100),and press coverage was
ample. The inaugural table was made up of high Uruguayan
officials including: the Undersecretary of the Interior, the
Ministry of Foreign Relations' Director of Consular Affairs, the
Director of the International Organization for Migration,
representatives from the Ministry of Education and Culture and the
National Public Attorneys, the President of Partners of the
Americas Uruguay chapter, and President of the Partners of the
Americas Committee for At Risk Populations.




4. The presenters, nearly all ILEA returnees and including a
high-level judge, presented on: International Rights and National
Anti-Trafficking Laws, Definitions of all forms of TIP, Victim
Identification, Risk Assessment, Victim Witnesses, Interviewing
Victims, Interviewing the Accused, Proactive TIP Investigations,
and International Cooperation. Participants were fully engaged for
the duration of the training and important dialogue surfaced. Due
to excessive interest, post plans to support another training
session in 2010. The workshop will plan to reach additional
audiences, as well as expand on the information provided. The
success of the first event will provide momentum for future events.





Comment

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5. Although TIP is becoming more widely recognized, Uruguay's
primary challenge in combating TIP remains that of spreading
awareness. The impressive interest and turn-out for the training
class is a clear demonstration that Uruguay's law enforcement
community is becoming more conscious of the threat of TIP to its
citizens, and the training reached over 100 individuals with
important knowledge and best practices for working with TIP cases.
Embassy participation in the training has raised the profile of the
USG as a valued member of the anti-TIP community. Post will
continue to engage law enforcement and victim protection groups,
and requests Department support to do so through continued ILEA
courses, including train-the-trainer courses. End Comment.
MATTHEWMAN