VZCZCXRO0688
RR RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDBU RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA
RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHTH #0502/01 0680914
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 090914Z MAR 07
FM AMEMBASSY ATHENS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8379
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUEHTA/AMEMBASSY ALMATY 0146
RUEHAE/AMEMBASSY ASMARA 0046
RUEHEK/AMEMBASSY BISHKEK 0051
RUEHCH/AMEMBASSY CHISINAU 0209
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 0548
RUEHOS/AMCONSUL LAGOS 0220
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 0216
RUEHTL/AMEMBASSY TALLINN 0051
RUEHNT/AMEMBASSY TASHKENT 0104
RUEHYE/AMEMBASSY YEREVAN 0105
RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC
RUEHC/DEPT OF LABOR WASHDC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 ATHENS 000502 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE SIPDIS 
 
FOR EUR/SE, EUR/PGI, G/TIP, INL/HSTC, G, DRL, PRM, IWI 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KCRM PHUM KWMN SMIG KFRD PREL PREF ELAB GR
SUBJECT: GREECE PART 2: TIP REPORT SUBMISSION 2007 
 
REF: A. 2006 State 202745 
 
The following is Sensitive but Unclassified.  Please Protect 
Accordingly. 
 
¶1. (SBU) Below are Embassy Athens' responses to the 2007 TIP report 
questionnaire.  Text is keyed to Ref A request for "Prevention" 
Section.  This is the second of four cables. 
 
¶2. (SBU) PREVENTION: 
         ----------- 
-- A. Does the government acknowledge that trafficking is a problem 
in that country?  If no, why not? 
 
The government, including high-ranking officials, publicly 
acknowledges that trafficking is a problem in Greece. 
 
-- B. Which government agencies are involved in anti- trafficking 
efforts and which agency, if any, has the lead? 
 
There are eight national ministries with responsibility for 
anti-trafficking efforts.  Nine Secretaries General (SG) from those 
ministries comprise the Interministerial Committee on TIP, of which 
the SG of the Ministry of Justice is the president.  The Ministry 
of: 
 
--Health (MOH) has responsibility for medical care for victims, 
operation of shelters, operation of a telephone hotline, 
coordination of repatriation program with IOM, and coordination of 
emergency services. 
 
--Public Order (MPO) has responsibility for TIP police task forces, 
conducting TIP raids, arresting traffickers, producing police 
reports as the basis for prosecutions, screening and identifying 
victims, and education of police. 
 
--Justice (MOJ) has responsibility for prosecutions, convictions, 
education of prosecutors and judges, assignment of prosecutors to 
TIP cases, amendment of the legislative framework and keeping a 
database on prosecution of trafficking crimes.  Prosecutors have a 
special responsibility to formally grant (or deny) victim status. 
 
--Foreign Affairs (MFA) coordinates the diplomatic/NGO/GoG working 
group, coordinates and negotiates bilateral and multilateral 
agreements, such as the Child Repatriation Agreement with Albania, 
and acts as a liaison between interested parties.  The spokesman of 
the Interministerial 
Committee on TIP is an MFA employee with the rank of ambassador. 
Hellenic Aid, a part of MFA, funds NGO and IO programs and shelters, 
provides legal aid to victims through NGO funding, funds training of 
police, judges and prosecutors, and is cooperating with USAID to 
contribute to the Transnational Action against Child Trafficking 
(TACT) program in Albania. 
 
--Interior (MOI) (including the SG for Gender Equality) has 
responsibility for amendment of the legislative framework regarding 
migration policy which includes residence permits and reflection 
periods, granting of residence permits, nationwide public awareness 
campaign, and vocational training, counseling, and social support 
for victims. 
 
--Education and Employment ministries have responsibility for 
education, vocational training, and job placement of victims. 
 
--Finance has responsibility for authorizing funding for TIP 
efforts. 
 
-- C. Are there, or have there been, government-run anti- 
trafficking information or education campaigns?  If so, briefly 
describe the campaign(s), including their objectives and 
effectiveness.  Do these campaigns target potential trafficking 
victims and/or the demand for trafficking (e.g. "clients" of 
prostitutes or beneficiaries of forced labor)? 
 
In 2006, the Secretariat General for Gender Equality (SGGE), under 
the MOI, completed a nationwide public awareness campaign on TIP. 
 
ATHENS 00000502  002 OF 005 
 
 
The campaign is a 40-second television spot and an informational 
leaflet with the same visual theme.  The message of campaign was 
designed to reach and impact "clients," victims, and citizens with a 
special focus on educating the general public about the TIP problem. 
 The Secretary General of GE was personally involved in creating the 
television spot, which has powerful music and images, showing the 
phases of a young girl's life that lead her to become a victim of 
trafficking.  After seeing and understanding the tragic story of the 
victim, the spot silently gives a simple message directed to all 
segments of society and the TIP problem: 
 
"THIS IS TRAFFICKING IN HUMAN BEINGS. 
IT IS A CRIME. 
IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO REVEAL IT." 
 
The National Greek Television and Radio Council agreed to air the ad 
for two months on three popular state television stations starting 
in March 2006.  The ad is aired from time to time by some private TV 
channels on their own initiative. 
 
-- IOM and Hellenic Aid produced an information card in Greek, 
English, Romanian and Russian to alert potential victims to the law 
enforcement resources available to help them.  The card is 
distributed at all check points to women entering Greece from 
specific countries. 
 
 
-- D. Does the government support other programs to prevent 
trafficking? (e.g., to promote women's participation in economic 
decision-making or efforts to keep children in school.)  Please 
explain. 
 
The GoG continued cooperating with USAID in Albania through the TACT 
program.  The GoG is allocating approximately  $600,000 over three 
years.  The Secretariat for Gender Equality and Hellenic Aid also 
support NGOs that carry out prevention work in source countries. 
 
The Greek Orthodox Church and its NGO Solidarity preach and campaign 
against trafficking and abuse in Orthodox parishes throughout 
Greece.  The Church-funded NGO "Solidarity" in October 2005 
constructed a shelter for TIP victims with funding from the MFA. 
Since that time, it reports that it receives no government funding. 
The shelter has good ongoing cooperation with law enforcement and 
prosecutors.  In 2006, it provided assistance to 11 trafficking 
victims.  Of the 11, 4 were repatriated while 7 received residence 
permits through legal support provided by Solidarity and are now 
trying to integrate into in Greek society.  They receive training 
from the NGO to help them in this regard. 
 
In addition to the above programs, Hellenic Aid reported that in 
2006 it approved funding to the following TIP projects to benefit 
victims in source countries and to prevent TIP and provide support 
to victims in Greece.  These programs are GoG anti-TIP initiatives 
and are not related to the "benchmarks."  (Note: Please protect. 
Funding levels for specific NGOs and agencies are not published or 
publicly released.  End Note.) 
 
-- 85,000 euros to the Mediterranean Women Study Center to continue 
a project in Albania for victims of trafficking. 
 
-- 60,000 euros to Caritas of Athens to continue operating a day 
care center for refugees, immigrants and victims of trafficking 
 
-- 110,000 euros to the Greek Council of Refugees to provide legal 
assistance to trafficking victims seeking asylum 
 
-- 20,000 euros to the Greek Council of Refugees to produce a 
leaflet in English, Russian and Albanian on Humanitarian assistance 
programs in Greece 
 
-- 75,000 euros to the European Womens' Network for the operation of 
a TIP hotline 
 
-- 57,000 euros to the Antigone Center to provide training to the 
Greek police 
 
 
ATHENS 00000502  003 OF 005 
 
 
-- 80,000 euros to Arsis for cross-border action to protect 
potential women and children victims of trafficking 
 
-- 120,000 euros to Klimaka to provide support and assistance to TIP 
victims in their shelter 
 
-- 74,000 euros to the International Police Association for 
prevention projects in Serbia 
 
--  120,000 euros to Center of Abuse and Maltreatment in Ioannina 
for the operation of a shelter in Ioannina and for integration 
assistance to victims 
 
-- 45,000 euros to the Center for Defense of Human Rights (KEPAD) to 
extend the network of NGO cooperation in Southeastern Europe. 
 
-- 40,000 euros to Act-Up for a prevention project and street work 
in Greece, Slovakia and Ukraine 
 
-- 105,000 euros to the European Constitution Law Center to train 
justices in Albania 
 
-- 65,000 euros to Arsis for "Compass project" to enact innovative 
training methods in training trainers on Human Rights 
 
-- 167,000 euros to the General Secretariat for Gender Equality to 
provide training to public and local administration key employees 
engaged in trafficking 
 
-- 220,000 euros to the General Secretariat for Gender Equality for 
preventive action and support to victims in Bulgaria and Albania 
 
As with all Hellenic Aid projects on any issue, a percentage of the 
funding is provided up front, and the remainder is granted upon the 
receipt of acceptable interim and final project assessments. 
(Embassy has reported that certain NGOs have complained of 
significant delays in transferring this funding to NGOs - see Ref 
07 
Athens 413.) 
 
-- F. What is the relationship between government officials, NGOs, 
other relevant organizations and other elements of civil society on 
the trafficking issue? 
 
Government and NGOs largely enjoy good ongoing formal cooperation in 
providing assistance and support to victims.  The GoG has funded 
NGOs and IOM to conduct prevention programs in origin countries. 
Government and NGOs cooperate on the basis of a Memorandum of 
Cooperation signed in 2005.  Both parties plan to further enhance 
the MOC in 2007 by adding a new annex that would describe the 
services available to victims by NGOs and by accepting new NGOs as 
signatories to the MOC. NGO Nea Zoi stated that it plans to sign the 
MOC in 2007, although recent questions about its status as a 
faith-based organization may complicate this effort (please 
protect). 
 
NGOs and police work directly -- formally and informally -- on 
identifying and screening victims.  An NGO called Med.in, supported 
by the Ministry of Public Order, has an office and a medical unit 
within the major detention center for illegal aliens in Athens. It 
provides brochures about trafficking to potential victims and staff 
members encourage victims to speak with law enforcement after 
admitting to social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists or medical 
staff that they have been trafficked.  One particularly vocal NGO, 
Greek Helsinki Monitor, reported that it was not invited to become a 
member of the MOC.  One NGO doing street work, ACT UP, decided not 
to sign the MOC because it believed that it did not cover provisions 
for NGOs that do street work and a Thessaloniki-based NGO, the 
Center for Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture (CRVT), reports that 
there have been several occasions when it has not been informed by 
the police of important TIP cases, despite their having the only 
psychiatrist experienced in working with trafficking victims. 
 
Many NGOs continue to report difficulties in getting funding that 
was promised by the GoG.  Some have reportedly closed their doors 
due to this problem.  The GoG reports that one half of funding is 
 
ATHENS 00000502  004 OF 005 
 
 
distributed at the beginning of a project and the rest is paid upon 
submission of appropriate documentation.  Some NGO's, says the GoG, 
fail to comply with the documentation requirements and some change 
the scope of their previously approved projects. 
 
Another complaint raised by many NGOs is that they are not treated 
as fully equal members in the fight against trafficking in Greece. 
They report feeling that they must continually prove their worth to 
the GoG.  Some call for institutionalizing the mechanisms that are 
already in place vis a vis victim identification, as one example, by 
legislating the role of NGOs in the process either through amending 
the trafficking statute or through a presidential decree. 
 
Finally, some NGOs claim that they are not given adequate access to 
detention facilities to enable them to try to identify trafficking 
victims.  Based upon the fact that only 83 victims were identified 
last year, it seems obvious that some aspect of the 
victim-identification phase is not working properly.  Some NGOs 
continue to report that victims are prosecuted alongside their 
victimizers and that many are incarcerated in detention centers, 
having slipped past police and prosecutors efforts to spot them, 
where they languish for three months and then return to their 
traffickers upon release.  If a limited number of persons from a 
limited number of GoG approved NGOs were permitted regular access to 
all of the women in all of the detention centers, they believe that 
a far greater number of women could be identified as actual 
trafficking victims. 
 
-- G. Does it monitor immigration and emigration patterns for 
evidence of trafficking?  Do law enforcement agencies screen for 
potential trafficking victims along borders? 
 
Law enforcement authorities, including border patrol officers and 
airport authorities, screen arrivals for possible TIP victims and 
travelers with fraudulent documents as part of its Schengen 
responsibilities.  Airport and immigration law enforcement 
specialists are included in TIP training programs and are members of 
the diplomatic-NGO-governmental authorities "Working Group."  Greece 
has acceptable border controls in general, though thousands of 
illegal immigrants cross or are smuggled into the country every 
year. 
 
-- H. Is there a mechanism for coordination and communication 
between various agencies, internal, international, and multilateral 
on trafficking- related matters, such as a multi-agency working 
group or a task force?  Does the government have a trafficking in 
persons working group or single point of contact?  Does the 
government have a public corruption task force? 
 
There is an Interministerial Committee at the Secretary 
General level that meets regularly and shares TIP information, 
progress, programs, and trends among ministries, headed by the MOJ. 
The MFA and MPO take the lead on coordinating with multilateral 
bodies, such as OSCE, on TIP.  However TIP specialists visiting 
Greece in 2005-2006 from international organizations (OSCE, ILO, 
IOM, UN), met with a range of officials from many involved 
ministries.  A TIP "Working Group" was established by the MFA and 
IOM in November 2005 between origin, transit, and destination 
country diplomats, NGOs, and working level government authorities, 
and they reportedly met five times in 2006.  The Ministry of Public 
Order has an anticorruption unit in its Bureau of Internal Affairs, 
which has investigated a limited number of TIP-related cases. 
 
-- J. Does the government have a national plan of action to address 
trafficking in persons?  If so, which agencies were involved in 
developing it?  Were NGOs consulted in the process?  What steps has 
the government taken to disseminate the action plan? 
 
The GoG has a National Action Plan (NAP) to address TIP, entitled 
"National Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings." The 
NAP covers inter-ministerial activities and specific activities of 
eight ministries, and NGOs were consulted in its development.  The 
MOJ Secretary General and the Interministerial Council presented the 
NAP at a Conference in December 2006.  The government has taken 
steps to disseminate the NAP via its public release and press 
conference, at international conferences and meetings, as well as by 
 
ATHENS 00000502  005 OF 005 
 
 
delivering it to international organizations such as the IOM, SECI, 
OSCE, and the EU and their representatives.  In December 2006 the 
GoG produced an update on its progress on the NAP. 
 
Greece 2007 TIP Report Submission Continued Septel. 
 
RIES