TIP RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE SAG - NEXT STEPS

UNCLAS RIYADH 001688 SENSITIVE SIPDIS NEA/ARP JHARRIS AND JBERNDT, G/TIP SFARAJ, DRL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM SA SUBJECT: TIP RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE SAG - NEXT STEPS REF: A. RIYADH 1678 ¶B. RIYADH 1561 ¶C. SECSTATE 129667 ¶1. (SBU) As a follow-on to TIP training conducted by DHS at Naif Arab University for Security Sciences (ref A) post plans to present SAG officials with a list of steps recommended to implement the U.S. TIP action plan presented to SAG officials in November 2008. As noted in reftels, Human Rights Commission (HRC) President Bandar Al Aiban and other Saudi officials appear eager to implement programs to achieve their removal from the TIP Report's Tier 3 list of countries of concern. Post believes the SAG's new anti-trafficking law and newfound determination to seriously combat trafficking present a window of opportunity for tangible progress on this issue. ¶2. (SBU) Many of the recommendations below are "best practices" gathered during a recent TIP conference and will likely include: - Publish official anti-trafficking law in newspapers and key websites such as HRC and National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) - Promulgate a comprehensive law to protect the rights of domestic workers (Note: This law was passed by the Shura Council in July and is now with the Council of Ministers. End Note) - Initiate media ad campaigns targeting the public (particularly on the right of domestic workers to retain their passports) - Set up a TIP Hotline - Distribute informational TIP brochures/materials in Arabic and English in such places as embassies, overseas employment agencies, mosques, and educational institutions - Establish a Human Trafficking/Domestic Worker Center that can act as a central place for information dissemination as well as providing victim-assistance - Sponsor conferences, seminars, workshops, and training for each ministry and other targeted SAG institutions - Invite continued technical assistance by USG experts ¶3. (SBU) The Embassy plans to supplement this list with additional "best practices" obtained from the NEA Regional TIP Conference to be held in Cairo January 19 and 20 (ref C). Additionally, the Embassy plans to work closely with G/TIP to identify resources and experts that can assist the SAG in combating human trafficking. SMITH