VZCZCXYZ0002
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBU #0793/01 1141333
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 241333Z APR 07
FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 7932

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000793 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
SIPDIS 
 
G/TIP FOR BRESNEHAN 
WHA/PPC FOR PUCCETTI 
WHA/BSC FOR BARNES, FRIEDMAN, MOSS, AND BLAKENEY 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
 
TAGS: ASEC ELAB KCRM PHUM PREL SMIG
 
SUBJECT: EMBASSY BUENOS AIRES PROPOSALS FOR G/TIP MANAGED FY 2007 
ESF AND INCLE FUNDS 
 
REF: A) STATE 28159 
 B) BUENOS AIRES 753 
      C) 05 STATE 21324 
 D) 03 STATE 34981 
 
¶1.  (SBU)  Summary:  Embassy Buenos Aires's top priorities in 
strengthening Argentina's anti-trafficking efforts include 1) 
advanced training in investigating and prosecuting human trafficking 
cases; 2) the establishment of a dedicated and specialized 
assistance center for trafficking victims; and 3) improved 
coordination among NGOs and migrant organizations focused on 
combating human trafficking and reintegrating victims in their 
economy, and communities where possible.  The Argentine government, 
in conjunction with the International Organization for Migration, 
has spent considerable efforts in raising public awareness of human 
trafficking and has made basic anti-trafficking education a regular 
part of training for law enforcement and judicial officials through 
its Office of Assistance to Victims of Crime (OFAVI).  In recent 
months a number of bills seeking to criminalize trafficking in 
persons have been introduced in the Argentine Congress, and Lower 
House Criminal Legislation Committee Chairperson told us that she 
was confident that the law would pass by the end of May (ref B). 
The Ambassador and Embassy staff are actively working to that end. 
Funding TIP-related training to judges, prosecutors, law 
enforcement, officials as well as health workers and labor 
inspectors will help build on this positive momentum, and strengthen 
institutional capacity to effectively identify victims, as well as 
investigate and prosecute human trafficking cases. 
 
¶2.  (SBU)  In addition, OFAVI and IOM has developed a victim's 
referral process in order to provide more comprehensive victim's 
assistance, including medical, psychological, reintegration, and in 
some cases, repatriation assistance.  Unfortunately, the number of 
victims who need this assistance outpace the number of victims OFAVI 
and IOM are able to assist, and there are no shelters specifically 
dedicated for trafficking victims in Argentina.  For these reasons, 
the Embassy recommends ESF funding for a pilot project that would 
establish a victim's assistance center that would not only provide 
shelter but offer integrated services with the ultimate aim of 
social reintegration.  End Summary. 
 
--------------------------- 
Proposals for INCLE Funding 
--------------------------- 
 
¶3.  (SBU)  Argentine NGO Unidos por la Justicia (UPLJ) and USDOJ's 
Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and 
Training (OPDAT) have both submitted proposals focusing on advanced 
training for judges, prosecutors and law enforcement officials in 
investigating and prosecuting cases.  Both applicants have indicated 
to post that they would be willing to work together to offer this 
type of training.  Post recommends that local NGO, UPLJ administer 
the program stipulating that it develop a a joint work plan that 
would integrate elements of both programs, specifically delineating 
roles and responsibilities of each organization, and subject to 
Embassy review and approval.  Should this proposal be selected, we 
would recommend bolstering UPLJ's anticipated budget by $100,000 to 
reflect the additional costs of bringing in USG trainers for the 
program as well as overhead and logistical support costs associated 
with the preparation and translation of training materials.  The 
U.S. Embassy has worked very closely with Unidos por la Justicia 
particularly in the implementation of our "Justice Undergoing 
Change" program, which is aimed at providing training to magistrates 
to help Argentina make its judicial system more efficient. 
 
¶A.  Unidos por la Justicia Proposal 
----------------------------------- 
 
i) Organization Name: Unidos por la Justicia Asociacion Civil 
 
ii) Budget Cost:  $80,400 
 
iii) Project Title: Integrated Trafficking in Persons Training and 
Prevention Program 
 
iv) Project Duration: 2 years 
 
v)  Proposal Abstract:  The project's goal is to enhance the 
judicial system's efficiency in prosecuting crimes related to human 
smuggling and trafficking through the integrated training of judges, 
prosecutors and law enforcement officials and agents.  The project 
also aims to provide training to civil society leaders to provide 
integrated assistance of trafficking victims and to vulnerable 
populations, with the goal of strengthening the social reintegration 
process and avoiding the recruitment of new victims.  Unidos por la 
Justicia will draw on a number of judicial officials and community 
leaders with the necessary expertise to implement an Integrated 
Training and Prevention Program that addresses all aspects of the 
trafficking phenomenon. 
 
The project seeks to implement three types of concurrent activities, 
with the principle goal being integrated training that comprises the 
main aspects of smuggling of human beings and trafficking in 
persons: a) prevention, b) prosecution and c) victims assistance and 
the socio-economic reintegration of victims. 
 
A team of trainers from Unidos por la Justicia and guest experts 
will direct intensive workshops in investigative techniques to 
combat migrant smuggling and trafficking in persons.  The workshops 
will be addressed to members of the judiciary, public ministries 
(offices of prosecutors) and law enforcement agents and officials. 
The training course will develop specific investigative protocols 
for this sort of crime, which will emphasize the planning and 
coordination of the different activities that investigations require 
among all the institutional actors involved.  Another team of 
trainers will prepare workshops aimed at preventing the recruitment 
of victims in high-risk areas, and at training community leaders to 
aid and help reintegrate victims. 
 
The following outcomes are expected from the Integrated Training and 
Prevention Program: 
a. Enhance prosecutorial effectiveness by improving coordination 
among people and resources. 
b. Improve the planning of investigations. 
c. Strengthen the criminal system so as to combat migrant smuggling 
and trafficking in persons. 
d. Decrease levels of revictimization in smuggling and trafficking 
crimes in Argentina. 
e. Strengthen mechanisms of assistance and social reintegration of 
victims. 
 
 
¶B.  USDOJ'S Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance 
and Training Proposal 
--------------------------------------------- ------- 
 
i)  U.S. Department of Justice 
Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and 
Training (OPDAT) 
 
ii) Budget Cost:  $   225,335.00 
 
iii) Project Title:  Technical Assistance to Increase the Capacity 
of Argentina's Criminal Justice System to Combat Trafficking in 
Persons 
 
iv) Project Duration: 2 years 
 
v)  Proposal Abstract:  The proposed technical assistance program is 
designed to address the Argentine Republic's ability to effectively 
investigate and prosecute human trafficking cases, as well as 
improve courtroom handling and protection of victims and witnesses. 
This proposal is put forth with a goal to improve the capacity of 
the Argentine Attorney General's Office and the Argentine Federal 
Police to work within their own legal system to better combat human 
trafficking. The proposed program is entirely sustainable because it 
is designed to help Argentina's prosecutors, investigators, border 
officials and victim/witness experts develop the requisite "know 
how" to better utilize their own laws and procedures to effectively 
monitor and prosecute human trafficking. 
 
      Over the course of two years, US federal prosecutors, 
investigators and victim-witness experts with experience prosecuting 
human trafficking cases and conducting international training will 
work with Argentina's prosecutors, investigators, NGOs and other 
relevant stakeholders so that they might better investigate and 
prosecute suspected traffickers and protect trafficking victims. 
During the first year, OPDAT will focus on building the skills of 
prosecutors and law enforcement officials - specifically members of 
a new unit established to increase human trafficking prosecutions in 
Argentina - to enforce existing laws and investigate and develop 
trafficking cases through hands on, practical training.  The goals 
of such workshops will be to develop best practices to investigate 
and prosecutor traffickers and public officials who participate in 
or facilitate human trafficking.  These workshops will also examine 
Argentina's existing criminal legislation and discuss how it can be 
used to prosecute traffickers, including how to use related criminal 
offenses to bring charges against suspected traffickers. 
 
      In an effort to better protect victims, a second component of 
the program will be to facilitate close working relations between 
police and NGOs and train police in special victim interview 
techniques.  The focus of these programs will be to develop a better 
system for protecting victims and witnesses and to develop victim 
protection protocols based on best practices.  During these 
programs, participants will assess the capability of provincial and 
municipal leaders to comply with international and Argentine human 
trafficking statues, and recommend, as necessary and/or feasible, 
improvements. 
 
¶4. (SBU)  The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has 
submitted a proposal for training of labor inspectors and healthcare 
workers so that they may better identify, and ultimately assist, 
victims of trafficking for labor and sexual exploitation.  It also 
offers health training to populations at risk of being trafficked as 
well as integration victims assistance including medical and 
psychological services as well as reintegration into the economy 
through microenterprise activities.  With grants from the Bureau of 
Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) in FY 04 and FY06, IOM has 
done an excellent job in providing basic anti-TIP training to 
numerous judges, prosecutors, security and law enforcement agents, 
and other officials at the national and provincial level as well as 
launching a nation-wide public awareness campaign featuring popular 
actress/singer Natalia Oreiro, who recorded a song and produced a 
video to highlight the issue.  Based on our evaluation of current 
IOM programs, we believe they have the institutional capacity to 
manage these funds well, deliver results, and set up mechanisms that 
will ensure sustainability. 
 
¶A.  IOM's Proposal 
------------------ 
 
i)  International Organization for Migration 
 
ii) Budget Cost:  $422,951 
 
iii) Project Title: Program for the Prevention and Protection of the 
Victims of Trafficking and Vulnerable Population in the Southern 
Cone 
iv) Project Duration: 12 months (Anticipated October 2007 to October 
2008) 
v)  Abstract:  The overall objectives of the project are to 
strengthen migrant associations and NGOs ability to fight 
trafficking for sexual and labor exploitation by focusing on 
programs aimed at prevention and victim protection. The project also 
seeks to fortify the ability of governments, migrant associations 
and NGOs to identify victims. In addition, it includes a strong 
component of assistance and empowerment of victims of trafficking 
(VoT) and the population most at risk of being trafficked. The 
project also seeks to strengthen NGO and migrant efforts to generate 
more job opportunities for VoTs and populations at risk of being 
trafficked. 
 
Some of the main activities envisaged in the present project are: a. 
Development of an assessment/study on the trafficking phenomenon for 
labor exploitation in Buenos Aires, b. Training and workshops on 
Human and Labour rights, c. Training and workshops on Human Rights 
and Access to Health rights for persons vulnerable to trafficking, 
prevention of HIV transmission and promotion of HIV voluntary 
testing, d. Training of labor inspectors teams and public health 
physicians on the Palermo protocol and UN - ILO Conventions 
regarding abolition of slavery and practices similar to slavery 
(forced labor/labor in servitude conditions, etc.) for the better 
identification of victims, e. Direct assistance to VOTs. 
 
      The project activities are meant to achieve the strengthening 
of existing organizations and the creation or consolidation of 
networks. As a result of it, the growth of the amount of regularized 
and documented migrants is also expected as well as the increase of 
the number of assisted victims of trafficking for sexual and labor 
exploitation, and the increase of the number of reintegration plans 
designed and agreed with the victims and a larger quantity of 
victims participating in training courses for labor reintegration. 
 
------------------------------------ 
Proposal Recommended for ESF Funding 
------------------------------------ 
 
5)  (SBU)  The Asociacion Civil Centro Integral de Rehabilitacion 
Social Argentino (CIRSA) proposes to establish a dedicated and 
specialized assistance center for minor victims of trafficking for 
sexual exploitation with the ultimate aim of reintegration into the 
economy, and communities, where possible.  The center will provide 
medical and psychological services; literacy program for unschooled 
victims; vocational training for victims over the age of 16; 
subsidies to the victims so that they may be able to develop their 
own microenterprises.  Through a donation from the Catholic Church, 
CIRSA already has a house where the center would operate.  In 
addition, it has developed a strong relationship with the Ministry 
of Interior, which provides security forces to assist CIRSA in its 
efforts to rescue trafficking victims. 
 
i) Asociacion Civil Centro Integral de Rehabilitacion Social 
Argentino (CIRSA) 
 
ii) Budget Cost:  $186,400 
 
iii) Project Title:  Integrated Assistance Center for Minor Victims 
of Trafficking for Sexual Exploitation 
 
iv) Project Duration: 2 years 
 
v) Abstract:  The trafficking of children and adolescents in 
Argentina for sexual exploitation purposes has always been a vital 
social concern and part of the public agenda. 
There has been a consistent increase in trafficking for sexual 
exploitation purposes, with 97% of victims being adult females, 
children and adolescents. 
 
At present, there is a need to create a center designed to protect 
and aid child and adolescent victims of trafficking.  There is no 
national center of this kind, either state-run or private. 
Government attempts to address the issue have been largely 
uncoordinated and have yielded poor results, given the lack of 
effective interdisciplinary and interinstitutional approaches to the 
problem.  Progress in this area has also been limited in part due to 
the absence of private financial contributors. 
 
The proposed Center of Integrated Assistance for Children and 
Adolescent Traffic Victims will address the victims' legal, 
sanitary, psychological and social needs.  Three lines of action 
will be prioritized: protection, assistance and integrated treatment 
of children and adolescents victimized by the sex trade in any part 
of the country.  The center will also provide a temporary home to 
victims who are referred from either state or civil-society 
organizations in the City of Buenos Aires, capital of the Republic 
of Argentina. 
 
The Center will provide direct assistance for children and 
adolescent traffic victims, focusing on their gradual social 
reintegration through ludo-therapy activities, courses on victims' 
rights, trade and art workshops, and job training for those over 16 
years of age, all of which will be based on non-formal education 
standards designed around the victim's personal characteristics and 
needs. 
 
In order to implement the proposed activities, the Center of 
Integrated Assistance for Children and Adolescent Traffic Victims 
will rely on an expert professional team. 
 
The following results are expected to be obtained after 24 
(twenty-four) months: 
 
a) A Center of Integrated Assistance for Children and Adolescent 
Traffic Victims. 
b) Social and family reintegration of the victims. 
c) A literacy program for unschooled victims. 
d) Non-formal education in the areas of arts and trades, human 
rights promotion and job training for those over 16 years of age. 
e) A system of subsidies for the development of small-scale business 
plans for individuals or groups. 
f) Agreements with companies and state organizations to secure the 
long-term sustainability of the project. 
 
WAYNE