Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TUNIS831
2009-11-13 16:51:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tunis
Cable title:
TUNISIA: 2009 TIP INTERIM ASSESSMENT
how-toINFO LOG-00 EEB-00 AF-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 CIAE-00 CPR-00 DODE-00 PERC-00 PDI-00 DS-00 OIGO-00 VCI-00 IPS-00 H-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00 LAB-01 L-00 MOFM-00 MOF-00 M-00 VCIE-00 NEA-00 NSAE-00 NSCE-00 OIC-00 NIMA-00 PA-00 GIWI-00 PRS-00 P-00 SCT-00 FMPC-00 SP-00 SSO-00 SS-00 STR-00 TRSE-00 NCTC-00 ASDS-00 DSCC-00 PRM-00 DRL-00 G-00 SAS-00 FA-00 SWCI-00 PESU-00 /001W P 131651Z NOV 09 FM AMEMBASSY TUNIS TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6975
C O N F I D E N T I A L TUNIS 000831
DEPARTMENT FOR G/TIP, NEA/RA, AND NEA/MAG
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/13/2019
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KTIP KCRM TS
SUBJECT: TUNISIA: 2009 TIP INTERIM ASSESSMENT
REF: A. TUNIS 775
B. TUNIS 758
C. STATE 104684
Classified by Ambassador Gordon Gray for reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L TUNIS 000831
DEPARTMENT FOR G/TIP, NEA/RA, AND NEA/MAG
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/13/2019
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KTIP KCRM TS
SUBJECT: TUNISIA: 2009 TIP INTERIM ASSESSMENT
REF: A. TUNIS 775
B. TUNIS 758
C. STATE 104684
Classified by Ambassador Gordon Gray for reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d)
1. (SBU) During the year, no reports of instances of
trafficking have come to the attention of the Embassy, UNHCR,
or the IOM. As of mid-November, the Tunisian Government has
not taken any action this year on modifying its laws covering
prostitution or child labor to specifically criminalize
trafficking. The GOT has also not undertaken any awareness
raising campaigns or measures to expand its protection
services for trafficking victims or create a victim
identification mechanism.
2. (C) The Embassy has been in continuous consultation with
UNHCR and IOM representatives in Tunisia to advise them of
the GOT's Tier II Watch status and to solicit their
assistance in discussing the problems of trafficking with the
GOT and in pressing the GOT to strengthen their legal regime
and develop protective mechanisms. Both organizations said
they have so far received no reports of trafficking occurring
in, to, or through Tunisia in 2009. UNHCR and IOM have also
discussed the TIP issue, in general terms, with the GOT in
the past, and tell us they will consider ways to incorporate
more trafficking material into their future discussions.
3. (C) The Embassy has had a number of interactions with the
GOT in 2009 on the subject of TIP. The Embassy delivered the
TIP report to the government on June 15, with an explanation
of the consequences of being listed as a Tier II Watch
country. The Political-Economic Counselor raised the issue
with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in August, requesting
further discussions with the appropriate officials. The
Ambassador discussed the Action Plan, which arrived at Post
October 7, with the Minister of Justice (ref B),and with a
senior Ministry of Foreign Affairs official (ref A) in
subsequent October meetings. The Minister of Justice has
provided a working contact in the Ministry and the Embassy
has had a meeting request with that contact pending since
mid-October.
4. (C) In the Ambassador's discussion with Saida Chtoui,
Secretary of State for Asia and the Americas, one of two
deputies to Foreign Minister Abdallah, the latter complained
that the GOT had provided the Embassy an extensive document
responding to the Embassy's questions in early 2008 which had
been "ignored." (Note: In fact, the information provided by
the GOT document was factored into the Embassy's input for
both the 2008 and 2009 reports. End note.) Chtoui also
questioned the fairness of Tunisia's placement on the Tier II
Watchlist but expressed grudging willingness to continue the
bilateral dialogue on TIP.
GRAY
DEPARTMENT FOR G/TIP, NEA/RA, AND NEA/MAG
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/13/2019
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KTIP KCRM TS
SUBJECT: TUNISIA: 2009 TIP INTERIM ASSESSMENT
REF: A. TUNIS 775
B. TUNIS 758
C. STATE 104684
Classified by Ambassador Gordon Gray for reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d)
1. (SBU) During the year, no reports of instances of
trafficking have come to the attention of the Embassy, UNHCR,
or the IOM. As of mid-November, the Tunisian Government has
not taken any action this year on modifying its laws covering
prostitution or child labor to specifically criminalize
trafficking. The GOT has also not undertaken any awareness
raising campaigns or measures to expand its protection
services for trafficking victims or create a victim
identification mechanism.
2. (C) The Embassy has been in continuous consultation with
UNHCR and IOM representatives in Tunisia to advise them of
the GOT's Tier II Watch status and to solicit their
assistance in discussing the problems of trafficking with the
GOT and in pressing the GOT to strengthen their legal regime
and develop protective mechanisms. Both organizations said
they have so far received no reports of trafficking occurring
in, to, or through Tunisia in 2009. UNHCR and IOM have also
discussed the TIP issue, in general terms, with the GOT in
the past, and tell us they will consider ways to incorporate
more trafficking material into their future discussions.
3. (C) The Embassy has had a number of interactions with the
GOT in 2009 on the subject of TIP. The Embassy delivered the
TIP report to the government on June 15, with an explanation
of the consequences of being listed as a Tier II Watch
country. The Political-Economic Counselor raised the issue
with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in August, requesting
further discussions with the appropriate officials. The
Ambassador discussed the Action Plan, which arrived at Post
October 7, with the Minister of Justice (ref B),and with a
senior Ministry of Foreign Affairs official (ref A) in
subsequent October meetings. The Minister of Justice has
provided a working contact in the Ministry and the Embassy
has had a meeting request with that contact pending since
mid-October.
4. (C) In the Ambassador's discussion with Saida Chtoui,
Secretary of State for Asia and the Americas, one of two
deputies to Foreign Minister Abdallah, the latter complained
that the GOT had provided the Embassy an extensive document
responding to the Embassy's questions in early 2008 which had
been "ignored." (Note: In fact, the information provided by
the GOT document was factored into the Embassy's input for
both the 2008 and 2009 reports. End note.) Chtoui also
questioned the fairness of Tunisia's placement on the Tier II
Watchlist but expressed grudging willingness to continue the
bilateral dialogue on TIP.
GRAY