VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHSL #0241/01 1130620
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 230620Z APR 07
FM AMEMBASSY BRATISLAVA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0868

UNCLAS BRATISLAVA 000241 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
G/TIP FOR REBECCA BILLINGS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ELAB KCRM SMIG PHUM PGOV LO
SUBJECT: TIP GRANT PROPOSALS FROM SLOVAKIA 
 
REF: STATE 28153 
 
¶I. (SBU) As per reftel, Embassy Bratislava is forwarding four 
TIP proposals for G/TIP consideration.  This cable contains 
summaries of each project.  Embassy TIP officer will email 
the full project proposals to Rebecca Billings in G/TIP.  The 
proposals are listed in order of priority of recommendation. 
If only one project can be funded, we recommend the first 
one, which falls under ESF funding.  If one project from each 
category is funded, we also recommend the second project, 
which falls under INCLE funding. 
 
¶1. (SBU) First recommendation: 
Name of organization: Kulturne Zdruzenie Romov Slovenska 
(KZRS), (Cultural Association of Roma of Slovakia, an NGO) 
Name of primary contact: Andrea Buckova 
Requested funding amount from USG: USD 49,940 
Total cost of project: USD 80,274 
Project title: Prevention of Trafficking in Persons in Roma 
Communities 
Project duration: 24 months 
 
Category: ESF funding 
Proposal abstract: 
     "Extend of TIP in Slovakia is not big in numbers. 
Nevertheless comparing the year 1998 with 3 cases of TIP with 
last year (40 cases) shows an increase. The problem is latent 
as everywhere in the world, but in Slovakia the situation is 
specific because of the very fast growing gap between those 
living in bigger cities, having good education and work and 
those others. Rich and poor live different lives especially 
after Slovakia joined the EU and the gap is expected to rise 
with the approaching of the Schengen .  Also the victims' 
identity is more visible. Those, whose number increases 
enormously are Roma women. The inhabitants of Roma 
communities - especially women and children - are the at most 
group at risk. The reason for this is a wide complex of 
problems connected with poverty: 
 - in some social marginalized areas the unemployment reaches 
100 percent 
 - influence of newly arising social and cultural phenomena 
has destroyed Roma system of cultural values and has 
stimulated spread of socio-pathological occurrences 
 - knowledge of these factors enables the traffickers direct 
way into the communities with minimal risk 
     This shows that at most jeopardized by trafficking are 
those communities which as a result have got very little 
access to information, to institutional help or counseling 
and where there is a low level of education involved. 
The main objectives of this submitted project is to react to 
these reasons and to bring the issue of TIP into Roma 
communities. In Slovakia there does not run any similar 
program or project. 
     The KZRS has been cooperating with the Alliance of Women 
and its daughter organization the Way Out on the issue of TIP 
for a longer period. The Alliance has got the longest 
experience in Slovakia with the theme of TIP not only because 
of directly helping the victims but also theoretically - 
lobbing, advocacy activities, educating, writing, in media 
appearances, etc. In 2004 the Alliance has already run a 
project together with the network LA STRADA called Prevention 
of Traffic in Women in Central and Eastern Europe followed by 
the project Trilateral Initiative to Prevent and Combat 
Trafficking in Women Within Roma Communities in CEE in 2005. 
     The Alliance has already worked with Roma communities 
also in a series of other projects. 
     Together with this organization we would like to create 
a sustainable system of prevention and assistance in the Roma 
communities (especially in Roma settlements) by trainings on 
TIP of the Roma social workers (RSW) working directly in the 
Roma communities. Very carefully chosen 50 people out of them 
will become TIP Educated RSW, who we will call for the goals 
of this project TIPERSW. They will work with Roma people 
especially women and children to prevent their trafficking 
and to assist event. victims. They will create their local 
nets of various professionals (police, judges, doctors, etc.) 
who deal with assistance to victims of TIP. They will also 
cooperate with the local governments and relevant NGOs. 
Educational methods used and amended according to the feed 
back and evaluation of the project, will become a part of the 
curricula for further education of the RSW. In this way the 
project will be sustainable." 
 
Embassy evaluation: This project focuses on both prevention 
and follow-up identification and referral to protective 
services for TIP victims in the Romani community, which is 
disproportionately affected by trafficking in Slovakia.  Its 
intent is to train an already-existing network of social 
workers who interact with the Romani population, with the 
goal of adding the training to the social workers' standard 
curriculum.  The proposal makes efficient use of established 
institutions and field workers who are already dedicated to 
helping a marginalized community and therefore has a high 
chance of widespread impact and long-term sustainability. 
 
 
¶2. (SBU) Second recommendation: 
Name of organization: Ministry of Interior in partnership 
with 3 local NGOs (Prima, Storm, and Dotyk) 
Name of primary contact: Jozef Hlinka 
Requested funding amount from USG: USD 43,835 
Total cost of project: USD 43,835 
Project title: Training Programs on the Issue of Trafficking 
in Persons in the Slovak Republic 
Project duration: 12 months 
Category: INCLE funding 
 
Proposal abstract: 
     "The project aims to make the criminal prosecution in 
trafficking in persons more effective and to reinforce mutual 
cooperation of the involved parties via training programmes 
for the existing capacities of the investigative, prosecuting 
and adjudicating bodies, for the selected Police Force 
members and employees of the Migration Bureau of the Ministry 
of Interior of the SR. 
     In creation of internal legal regulations on fight 
against trafficking in persons, the Slovak Republic responded 
to the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking 
in Persons, especially in Women and Children supplementing 
the UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime, as 
well as to the corresponding EU Council directives concerning 
trafficking in persons. The absolute ratification of the 
Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in 
Human Beings by the President of the SR represents a 
significant step in this area. In 2006, under decree of the 
SR Government, National Plan of Action in Fight against 
Trafficking in Persons per 2006 - 2007 was adopted. This 
April, Report on Discharge of the Tasks Ensuing from this 
Plan of Action was submitted for discussion to the SR 
Government. The Ministry of Interior of the SR (hereinafter 
only the "Ministry") discharged 17 out of the total number of 
19 tasks, whereas the other two tasks have been assigned 
deadlines in 2007. 
     Regarding the fact the SR has not so far possessed 
enough experience in suppression of this form of criminal 
activity and does not dispose of trained capacities able to 
identify a victim, to communicate with the person 
effectively, or to efficiently detect and investigate the 
crime of trafficking in persons, we find establishment of 
qualified personnel base in this area a priority. 
     The defined objective has been divided into three 
specific objectives: 
¶1. detection of crime of trafficking in persons, 
¶2. explanation of crime of trafficking in persons, 
¶3. cooperation between the Ministry and the non-governmental 
organisations and the activity thereof. 
     We aim to achieve the above objectives by means of 
training programmes focusing on the issue of trafficking in 
persons depending on individual target groups. The training 
activities shall be realised at the premises of the Police 
Force Academy in Bratislava, in the course of 12 months, and 
that in quarterly intervals in a form of week training 
courses. The training courses shall consist of theoretical 
and practical exercises categorised under the following 6 
training programmes: 
¶1. situation in the area of trafficking in persons in the SR; 
¶2. identification of the victims of trafficking in persons; 
¶3. communication with the victims of trafficking in persons; 
¶4. detection and investigation of the criminal activity of 
trafficking in persons; 
¶5. cooperation with non-governmental organisations; 
¶6. activities of non-governmental organisations. 
     Upon realisation of the planned training programmes, the 
SR shall dispose of competent government employees, capable 
in particular of identifying a victim, communicating with the 
person effectively, with the aim to motivate the victim to 
cooperate with the investigative, prosecuting and 
adjudicating bodies, and thus contribute to detection and 
explanation of the particular criminal activity and 
punishment of the offenders thereof. In addition, the 
training courses shall significantly affect cooperation 
between the Ministry and the non-governmental organisations, 
thus improving also the help provided to the victims of 
trafficking in persons. From a long-term perspective, the 
training courses can affect positively also the confidence on 
the part of the victims in the Police Force. 
     The Ministry presents this project in cooperation with 
partnership non-governmental organisations currently 
participating in the Programme of Support and Protection of 
Victims of Trafficking in Persons realisation In terms of the 
Ministry organisation chart, the experts of the Consultation 
and Advisory Department of the Minister's Cabinet, of the 
Police Force Academy in Bratislava, and of the Special Unit 
for Fight against Organised Crime of the Presidium of the 
Police Force shall participate in the project realisation." 
 
Embassy evaluation: With the Ministry of Interior's authority 
to ensure that the relevant government officials (police 
officers, migration officers, etc.) participate in the 
training programs, this project has a realistic potential to 
reach an audience of approximately 400 officials, most of 
whom would have life-long careers with the government, 
enabling the project to have a long-term impact.  The NGOs 
will provide the expertise.  The negative aspect of 
government involvement is that the proposed budget is not as 
efficient as it could be, e.g., it includes the purchase of a 
copy machine and two desktop computers rather than using the 
existing office equipment of any of the four partnering 
organizations.  The Ministry of Interior has told us that its 
own TIP budget for 2008 (estimated USD 75,000) would be 
directed entirely towards victim protection and support 
services if this training project receives USG funding. 
 
 
¶3. (SBU) Third recommendation: 
Name of organization: International Organization for 
Migration (IOM) 
Name of primary contact: Zuzana Vatralova 
Requested funding amount from USG: USD 53,945.26 
Total cost of project: not specified although some co-funding 
would come from an existing project 
Project title: Establishment and Pilot Operation of a Shelter 
in Order to Improve the Quality of Assistance to Trafficked 
Persons in Slovakia 
Project duration: 12 months 
Category: ESF funding 
 
Proposal abstract: 
     "The overall goal of the project is to contribute to 
improving the quality of assistance to both Slovak and 
foreign trafficked persons in Slovakia by the establishment 
and pilot operation of a safe accommodation facility 
providing comprehensive assistance to victims of trafficking 
in persons. As of now, the provision of assistance to 
trafficked persons in Slovakia faces the critical problem of 
the non-existence of a shelter facility that would be 
designed specifically for victims of trafficking in persons 
and would ensure sufficient and sustainable capacity to 
accommodate beneficiaries. As of now, trafficking victims are 
accommodated in facilities designed for victims of domestic 
violence or in safe flats that are, however, not funded 
continuously so as to ensure available capacity to 
accommodate beneficiaries at any time. The project will 
therefore focus on the selection and training of an NGO that 
would be able to run a shelter facility fulfilling the 
internationally recognized standards of assistance to 
trafficked persons and also the practical operation of the 
shelter under ongoing practical tutoring and monitoring of 
IOM over the course of this project. This way the project 
will ensure the transfer of knowledge gained by IOM through 
its Programme of Return and Reintegration of Trafficked 
Persons to a selected NGO that would be ready to become an 
exclusive partner of the Slovak Government for the 
implementation of state-funded of assistance to trafficked 
persons." 
 
Embassy evaluation: While establishing a dedicated shelter 
for TIP victims in Slovakia is a goal that we have encouraged 
the GOS to consider, this project's somewhat small scope 
(i.e., the shelter would be one apartment that could house a 
maximum of six victims at a time) duplicates certain aspects 
of the current year-long pilot project of the NGO Dotyk to 
provide sheltering apartments to victims on an as-needed 
basis.  What IOM's proposal offers that the similar existing 
project does not is: a full-time social worker and training 
from the best expertise that Slovakia can offer.  However, 
sustainability is not guaranteed since the project proposes 
to train only one NGO on how to run a TIP shelter and the 
prospects of funding for the shelter after 12 months are 
questionable. 
 
 
¶4. (SBU) Fourth recommendation: 
Name of organization: Aliancia Zien Slovenska (Alliance of 
Women of Slovakia, an NGO) 
Name of primary contact: Katarina Farkasova 
Requested funding amount from USG: USD 45,416 
Total cost of project: USD 63,416 
Project title: Training on Trafficking in Persons for 
Institutions 
Project duration: up to 24 months 
Category: INCLE funding 
Proposal abstract: 
     "The recent situation in the field of TIP in Slovakia 
has been newly finally evaluated by the US Department of 
State in the report as a Tier 2 country: 'the Slovak 
government does not fully comply with the minimum standards 
for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making 
significant efforts to do so'. 
     Indeed, the Slovak Government has ratified the Palermo 
Protocol, the CE Declaration which it ratified as on of the 
first 3 countries. Recently, there was set a special police 
unit, which is supposed to disclose secret trafficking in 
humans along with cases of sexual exploitation (Police Force 
Headquarter Organized Crime Bureau - Department of TIP). 
In addition, the government adopted the National Action Plan 
to Combat Human Trafficking and a commission of experts has 
been established. A new programme for victims of TIP has 
started and the Ministry of Interior co-operates with 2 
street workers organisations and one organisation which 
operates at the frontier area with the Czech Republic and 
deals with smugglers and various type of violence. 
     Despite of all these measures the most important part is 
missing - informed and educated professionals who come into 
contact with victims of trafficking (policemen, functionaries 
at the Migration Department, prosecutors, judges, etc.) 
     Atmosphere of positive implementation, good empathy of 
the officials for victims of TIP and good knowledge of the 
issues from their perspectives are missing. There is a great 
gap between those who are to help and those who need the 
help. 
     Nevertheless we consider this situation as solvable with 
the help of a mediator who knows the experience of the 
victims and at the same time knows how to address the 
officials - professionals who are to help. 
     The NGO Alliance of Women is such a mediator. It has got 
a special position in Slovakia. Not only it works with 
victims directly, but also prepares analyses, reports, 
publications, articles and outcomes for various media. 
Representatives of the Alliance have been invited for all 
media events and very often they are invited to utilise 
televisions in Slovakia to speak about TIP. The organisation 
also gives trainings and courses to various organisations, 
institutions (such as Law Faculty in Trnava, Social Work 
Faculty in Bratislava and others), and official and also to 
other NGOs. The Alliance already conducted a very successful 
intensive 3 days training for employees of the Police Corps, 
which was only possible because of the US Department of State 
report in 2005 which showed Slovakia as the Tier 2- country. 
     For the training on TIP the Alliance has got an 
accreditation of the Ministry of Education, as the only 
organisation in Slovakia. 
     This project, which we submit, would secure training on 
TIP of all state institutions whose work is connected with 
TIP, with an address sequence starting from the highest 
positions (Ministry of Interior, Presidium of the Police, 
Migration Department, Ministry of Justice, etc.) and also 
introduction of TIP as a field of study - part of study 
curricula for Police Academy, Judges Academy, secondary 
schools for policemen and all other possible training 
institutions such as law faculties, social work faculties etc. 
     The Alliance has already co-operated with many of them, 
has got good experience and feed back. Many of them have 
shown interest already and expect further conjunction." 
 
Embassy evaluation: This project has a commendably broad 
scope of training all relevant departments of the government 
(police, judges, prosecutors, etc.) on TIP and encouraging 
the future inclusion of the training in the respective 
training academies.  However, though the NGO has prior 
experience in training government officials, there is no 
guarantee nor even an agreement in principle between the NGO 
and the various government offices to allow the training. 
This is why the proposal does not come with a timetable - the 
organizer recognizes the need to be flexible to fit the 
governmental schedules.  Unlike project #2 above, the 
organizer does not have the authority to oblige the branches 
of government to accept the training.  In light of the 
successful collaboration of this NGO and some branches of the 
government in the past, the project is worth consideration. 
The broad scope and target audience would enable a long-term 
impact. 
SILVERMAN