VZCZCXRO7669
RR RUEHAST RUEHBI RUEHCI RUEHDBU RUEHLH RUEHPW
DE RUEHNE #2816/01 1690055
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 180055Z JUN 07
FM AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6317
INFO RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 NEW DELHI 002816 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR G/TIP:MTAYLOR AND JSIGMON; SCA/INS FOR CSIM; 
SCA/RA FOR JPFEIDERER 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREF PHUM KWMN ELAB KCRM SOCI IN
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR AND NGO LEADERS DISCUSS TIP 
 
REF: A. NEW DELHI 2686 
     ¶B. NEW DELHI 2765 
 
¶1.  (SBU) Summary:  Ambassador Mulford met New Delhi's 
leading NGOs and UN Agencies that work on trafficking in 
persons (TIP) and bonded labor on June 14 to solicit their 
reaction to the TIP Report and Action Plan and ask for their 
frank assessments of the TIP situation in India.  Largely 
thanks to previous TIP reports, the near unanimous consensus 
was the GOI was demonstrating greater sensitivity to TIP and 
the situation in India has improved, not worsened, during the 
last three years.  However, significant problems remain at 
the grassroots level and TIP efforts are uneven across the 
country.  Many NGOs agreed that six months would be 
insufficient to demonstrate results and downgrading to Tier 3 
would be seen as unfair and unhelpful to continuing their 
anti-TIP efforts.  Some NGOs, on the other hand, felt the 
"shock treatment" of a downgrade, while unpopular with the 
GOI, might have benefits.  End Summary. 
 
¶2.  (SBU) The Ambassador opened the meeting by underscoring 
the importance of the TIP report and describing the special 
assessment period.  As reflected in the media (reftel A), the 
Ambassador acknowledged that the USG reached its decision to 
keep India on the Tier 2 Watch List after significant debate 
within the Department of State.  Although the USG has never 
been a "single-issue" government and our broad relationship 
with India is multi-faceted, he pressed that the USG and 
India share common values and both countries want to end 
modern day slavery. 
 
----- 
NGO General Assessment: GOI's Anti-TIP Efforts Are Better, 
Not Worse 
----- 
 
¶3.  (SBU) Almost all NGO representatives noted a marked 
change in the GOI's anti-trafficking efforts.  Senior police 
officer and founder of the Prayas Institution of Juvenile 
Justice Amod Kanth said, "As a police officer and a volunteer 
organization, things have definitely improved during the last 
three years.  I have noticed that the police response to the 
problem has changed; Indian police now take trafficking more 
seriously.  The legal systems have improved.  As opposed to 
four years ago, I think you could make a strong case to 
upgrade India." 
 
¶4.  (SBU) Oasis India representative Ashley Varghese noted, 
"Coordination between states is better than before.  We are 
also working on border issues with Bangladesh and Nepal.  The 
response from courts is better.  There is better victim 
protection.  Even the shelter homes are better.  But most of 
the improvements are because of the GOI.  More time needs to 
be given to tackle the problem." 
 
¶5.  (SBU) United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) 
Chief of the Child Protection Section Dr. P. M. Nair 
cautioned, "Things are totally uneven across the country. 
Who is most immediately affected by the report?  Only the top 
levels of government that want to impress the United States. 
But, after TIP awareness in India began, the report has made 
a difference.  For example, just look at the recent march 
across the country to raise awareness of bonded labor.  More 
than just NGOs were involved - law enforcement 
representatives were there as well.  I have already seen a 
marked difference in the five states where UNODC is working. 
The multiple Supreme Court rulings help too and sensitivity 
of the judiciary has increased.  Even Panchayats (local 
government councils) throughout Tamil Nadu have recently set 
up committees to address the prevention of human trafficking. 
 Andhra Pradesh will soon follow suit." 
 
----- 
Not all is Rosy: Where NGOs See Problems 
----- 
 
¶6.  (SBU) While there was consensus that the top levels of 
government and society demonstrated increased awareness, the 
grassroots level is mired in problems.   Swanchetan Director 
Dr. Rajat Mitra, a clinical psychologist, pointed to the 
disparity between GOI and grassroots level awareness.  "As a 
psychologist, I am called to police stations late at night. 
I work at the grassroots level and, at that level, a shake-up 
is still necessary.  I find a number of problems that could 
have been resolved earlier."  Director for the Asian Center 
for Human Rights Suhas Chakma agreed.  "The Ministry of Women 
and Child Development and the Supreme Court are sensitive to 
TIP, but the grassroots level is not.  The general public is 
more aware of their rights, though that does not necessarily 
lead to good enforcement.  Furthermore, some groups are much 
 
NEW DELHI 00002816  002 OF 004 
 
 
more vulnerable than others, especially in the 18 of 28 
Indian states that are currently in conflict.  Whenever you 
have displaced people, as a result of conflict or other 
problems, you will have more vulnerable groups.  For example, 
look at the large number of trafficking victims that come 
from Assam, a conflict-ridden state." (Note: Other NGOs have 
previously told Emboffs that trafficking in Assam is directly 
correlated to low sex-ratios in Punjab and Haryana. 
Traffickers promise marriages to girls from Assam, Jharkhand 
and West Bengal which results in both smuggling and internal 
trafficking of young girls and women.) 
 
¶7.  (SBU) Amod Kanth stated, "Rescue is not the problem. 
Rehabilitation and reintegration are the biggest problems. 
The GOI is working on this, forming new schemes.  They have 
been supportive in creating services.  But there still needs 
to be more."  President of Shakti Vahini Ravi Kant agreed, 
noting, "We still need help on rehabilitation efforts." 
 
¶8.  (SBU) Ms. Elizabeth Selhore from Sahara said that, "As a 
society, we are quite complacent.  Why do Shilpa Shetty and 
Richard Gere make the news for a public kiss, but this 
incredible problem is not plastered over the front pages? 
The media needs a shake-up too; they need to be made more 
aware."  Shakti Vahini's Rishi Kant countered that "the media 
is always writing and going along with raids.  There's 
increased media attention on TIP.  But, sadly, Bollywood 
stars just generate more media buzz than these social 
issues."  Rishi also discussed the Media Coalition 
established in June 2006 with membership of over 700 
journalists throughout the country.  The Coalition, which 
remains very active, aims to sensitize journalists to report 
on gender issues, share information and act as a pressure 
group. 
 
¶9.  (SBU) Kanth noted, "We still struggle with porous borders 
- especially the borders with Bangladesh and Nepal, which are 
impossible to contain.  But Bangladesh and Nepal are equally, 
if not more, complicit than India on the number of trafficked 
victims that enter into India."  Save the Childhood 
Foundation Activist Bhuwan Ribhu added that one of the 
biggest problems was that "India has no comprehensive TIP 
policy." 
 
----- 
Tier 3 Would Not Help NGOs 
----- 
 
¶10.  (SBU) The Ambassador asked if a Tier 3 ranking would 
help shock the system, galvanize the community and, 
ultimately, help promote their work.   President of Shakti 
Vahini Ravi Kant said, "In 2003 and 2004, (being downgraded 
to Tier 2 Watch List) was very helpful.  The GOI woke up.  We 
started getting help from officials, including the judiciary 
and law enforcement."  Bhuwan Ribhu said "But, this is the 
first year that there is so much attention to bonded labor. 
Downgrading won't help.  Being on Tier 2 Watch List for four 
years is enough of a shake-up." 
 
¶11.  (SBU) Many NGO leaders also expressed concern about the 
six month assessment, deeming it insufficient and 
impractical.  Bhuwan said, "The goal is too high.  Some 
progress will be made, but not enough will change in just six 
months."  Ashley Varghese agreed, "Six months is not enough. 
I would be very unhappy with a downgrade." 
 
¶12.  (SBU) UNIFEM Ms. Archana Tamang said, "I'm not 
disappointed by the report.  First, we know there is more to 
do.  And we know that there are not enough prevention 
efforts.  The rescue paradigm has seen a number of sporadic 
efforts.  However, if (your government) threatens to do an 
inspection in six months, you will see a spike in 
manufactured raids.  Traffickers make nine billion dollars a 
year; but a similar amount of money is also being put up to 
stop the problem.  Downgrading will not help." 
 
¶13.  (SBU) Chakma noted, "Frankly, I don't agree with the 
system of grading.  The point of this report, though, is to 
make people aware of the problem.  Even a few Band-Aid 
solutions may work because the government is doing something. 
 Honestly, though, there is no quick fix.  But short term 
measures are better than nothing."  Ashley countered, "But 
will this downgrade benefit victims of trafficking?  We might 
end up with a short term solution that no one is happy with." 
 
 
----- 
Comment: TIP Officials Should Visit India 
----- 
 
 
NEW DELHI 00002816  003 OF 004 
 
 
¶14.  (SBU) This year's TIP report has not been lost in the 
din of India's prolific media (reftel A). The Embassy and 
consulates have, at all levels, remained engaged with civil 
society and the GOI.  Embassy strongly endorses Foreign 
Secretary Menon,s invitation to senior TIP officials to 
 
SIPDIS 
visit India in the near future to discuss the trafficking 
problem and see the situation for themselves (reftel B). 
 
----- 
Appendix: Who's Who in the Room 
----- 
 
¶15.  (SBU) Attendees included: 
 
 -- The United Nations High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR) 
was represented by UNHCR Chief of Mission Carol Batchelor. 
While India does not have refugee legislation nor a formal 
agreement with UNHCR, the organization does work in the 
country.  They carefully and deliberately select appropriate 
ways to engage with the GOI.  Vis-a-vis trafficking, refugees 
are often amongst the most vulnerable groups to traffickers. 
 
 -- The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) was 
represented by Dr. P.M. Nair, Chief of the Child Protection 
Section.  UNODC has received over 2.5 million USD from the 
Government of the United States to launch the largest 
USG-funded anti-trafficking project in the world.  UNODC 
works with the Ministry of Home Affairs in five states - 
Maharashtra, Goa, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Bihar - to 
sensitize law enforcement officials on the importance of 
arresting traffickers and assisting trafficking victims. 
 
 -- The United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) 
was represented by UNIFEM Regional Coordinator Ms. Archana 
Tamang.  UNIFEM has partnered with the National Human Rights 
Commission, the Ministry of Women and Child Development, the 
Institute of Social Sciences and USAID to work on trafficking 
of women and children.  Most recently, UNIFEM partnered with 
an NGO to set up an anti-trafficking cell in Pune which 
includes out-reach centers, awareness programs, joint 
workshops with government agencies, etc.  UNIFEM has also 
been credited with helping the government of Goa draw up an 
action plan to fight sex tourism. 
 
-- Prayas Institution of Juvenile Justice General Secretary 
was represented by its founder, General Secretary Mr. Amod 
Kanth.  Prayas, based in Delhi, is one of the largest 
non-profit organizations in India with centers across seven 
states serving an estimated 100,000 people.  Prayas has 
developed an impressive network of shelters, drop-in centers 
and education centers for vulnerable children.  It has also 
led the effort to create a nationwide system of child-help 
emergency phone lines called "Childline."  Prayas has 
received USG funding and been visited by several high-ranking 
USG officials, including First Lady Laura Bush, SCA Assistant 
Secretary Richard Boucher, former Deputy Secretary Richard 
 
SIPDIS 
Armitage, and others. 
 
 -- Shakti Vahini was represented by their President Mr. Ravi 
Kant and Mr. Rishi Kant.  Shakti Vahini, an NGO based in 
Haryana, pioneered the concept of government responsibility 
on TIP issues by publishing its own version of the TIP 
report.  Over 12,000 youth and university students volunteer 
with Shakti Vahini across India.  The youth form a movement 
by educating rural youth groups to spread information and 
form "watchdog" groups in surrounding villages.   Shakti 
Vahini has petitioned the Supreme Court to provide 
rehabilitation to rescued victims of trafficking. 
 
 -- Joint Women's Program (JWP) was represented by Regional 
Coordinator Ms. Lalitha S.A. Nayak.  JWP began in 1977 and is 
dedicated to stopping domestic violence, dowry harassment, 
rape, and trafficking, and promoting the rights of the girl 
child.  They currently work in 16 states with 19 other NGOs 
and a 
staff of nearly 200, including a team of counselors to help 
women in need.  One of their largest projects is the 
Anti-Trafficking Network which seeks to prevent trafficking, 
raise awareness, train law enforcement officials, offer 
counseling and legal services and provide rehabilitation and 
education. 
 
 -- Sahara was represented by Ms. Elizabeth Selhore and Ms. 
Christine Ramani.  For the last 27 years, Sahara has worked 
with neglected and stigmatized communities, offering services 
to drug users, commercial sex workers, trafficked persons, 
transgender, people who are HIV/AIDS positive, etc.  Sahara 
has at least 35 ongoing projects and 200 staff in Delhi, 
Manipur, Pune and Mumbai. 
 
 
NEW DELHI 00002816  004 OF 004 
 
 
 -- Save the Childhood Foundation was represented by Mr. 
Bhuwan Ribhu and Mr. Umesh.  Bhuwan leads the movement 
against trafficking for forced labor through Save the 
Childhood organization, which focuses specifically on 
trafficking of children for forced labor.  A lawyer by 
training, Bhuwan has  rescued thousands of children and 
adults from forced labor.  He worked to help the All India 
Circus Federation gradually phase out recruiting children for 
circus work, which was the first step toward incorporation of 
the Corporate Social Responsibility and Ethical Trade 
practices in the entertainment industry. 
 
 -- Swanchetan Society for Mental Health was represented by 
its Director, Dr. Rajat Mitra.  Swanchetan serves victims of 
trauma and crisis, such as trafficking victims.  Swanchetan 
has a team of seven psychologists and social workers that 
reach out directly to people when they are most vulnerable. 
On an average month, Swachetan sees 70-100 patients.  They 
work for all 120 Delhi police stations and help victims 
provide statements to police.  Swanchetan also trains police 
how to interact with trafficking victims. 
 
 -- Oasis India was represented by Mr. Ashley Varghese. 
Oasis India is part of a global coalition against human 
trafficking called Stop the Traffick. 
 
 -- Catholic Relief Services was represented by Ms. Clodagh 
McCumiskey.  Catholic Relief Services supports local, 
national and regional anti-trafficking efforts, and has been 
a recipient of G/TIP funding in the past. 
 
 -- The Asian Center for Human Rights (ACHR) was represented 
by Director Suhas Chakma.  ACHR is dedicated to the promotion 
and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms in 
South Asia by providing information, conducting 
investigations, increasing the capacity of human rights 
defenders and providing legal, political and practical 
advice. 
 
 -- The South Asia Human Rights Documentation Center (SAHRDC) 
was represented by Ms. Rineeta Naik.  SAHRDC is a network of 
individuals across the region that seeks to investigate, 
document and disseminate information about human rights 
treaties and conventions, human rights education, refugees, 
media freedom prison reform, political imprisonment, torture, 
summary executions, disappears and other cruel, inhumane or 
degrading treatment. 
 
MULFORD