VZCZCXRO9124
RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHAN #0778 2141037
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 021037Z AUG 07
FM AMEMBASSY ANTANANARIVO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0168
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE
RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC
RUEHC/DEPT OF LABOR WASHDC

UNCLAS ANTANANARIVO 000778 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR G/TIP RYOUSEY 
DEPT FOR INL EFLOOD 
DEPT FOR AF/E RMEYERS 
DEPT FOR AF/RSA 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O.  12958:  N/A 
TAGS: PHUM KCRM SMIG ELAB MA
SUBJECT: MALAGASY SURPRISED BY TIP CONDITIONS IN SOUTH 
 
REF: A) ANTANANARIVO 723 B) ANTANANARIVO 221 
 
¶1. SUMMARY:  In a July 25 meeting of the Human Rights Working Group, 
Embassy Antananarivo teamed up with multiple NGOs to present the 
issue of trafficking in persons (TIP) in the different regions of 
Madagascar.  The fact that Malagasy participants were shocked to 
find out certain widespread practices constitute a form of modern 
slavery, and repeatedly confused prostitution with trafficking, 
shows we still have a way to go in raising public understanding. 
Embassy reporting on TIP in Fort Dauphin (REF A) in particular 
received extensive media coverage.  Such field visits lend 
credibility to Embassy efforts to partner in the fight against TIP 
in Madagascar.  END SUMMARY 
 
THE LINE-UP 
- - - - - - 
 
¶2.  Following an overview of the problem in Madagascar delivered by 
the Charge, Catholic Relief Services gave the first presentation on 
TIP in Nosy Be, Tamatave, and Tulear (REF B), showcasing U.S.-funded 
programs to raise awareness and assist victims in these areas. 
PolOff shared her observations about the small but growing underage 
sex trafficking problem in the mining town of Fort Dauphin.  Local 
NGO "HIV/Alliance" talked about the growing HIV/AIDS and sexually 
transmitted infection rates among populations at risk for 
trafficking.  The presentations were followed by relevant clips from 
the film "Human Trafficking" and a question-and-answer session. 
 
PUBLIC AND MEDIA REACTION 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - 
 
¶3. Despite extensive efforts by the Government of Madagascar and 
NGOs to raise public awareness about TIP, Malagasy participants were 
shocked to find certain widespread practices -- such as hiring young 
domestics and soliciting sex with underage prostitutes -- can 
constitute a form of modern slavery.  In general, Malagasy 
participants at such events have a tendency to focus solely on sex 
trafficking, which they mistakenly equate with all forms of 
prostitution.  To counter this, PolOff clarifies the definition of 
TIP at every event, emphasizes the Embassy concern with eradicating 
exploitative labor, and underscores labor trafficking cases.  While 
most participants had at least heard about sex tourism in Nosy Be, 
Tamatave, and Tulear, they were particularly intrigued with the 
Embassy's report on Fort Dauphin, which has not yet been studied 
from a trafficking angle.  In Antananarivo, rumors abound about the 
social impacts of mining activities in Fort Dauphin, and the 
discussion was a helpful opportunity for the Embassy to correct some 
misperceptions and convey information on the nature of TIP gleaned 
from sex workers themselves.  While clips from the G/TIP-provided 
film, "Human Trafficking" were helpful in giving participants a 
jarring image of extreme sex trafficking, in the future PolOff will 
continue to seek audiovisual images of labor trafficking, which is 
far more common in Madagascar. 
 
¶4. The Embassy's presentation on Fort Dauphin in particular received 
extensive local media coverage and prompted international media 
reporting on related issues in Fort Dauphin.  Although PolOff 
stressed the limited number of trafficking cases to date in this 
mining town, the headlines instead highlighted the rising 
prostitution among adolescent males -- a minor problem in reality 
but shocking in a country where homosexuality is largely taboo. 
Regardless, the coverage served the overall purpose of building 
awareness about TIP.  Most reporting applauded the Embassy's 
initiative to "get out from behind the desk" and go out into the 
field. 
 
COMMENT 
- - - - 
 
¶5. Post believes such field visits are crucial in talking to our 
contacts and the public about the nature of TIP in Madagascar.  That 
Embassy staff took the initiative to speak with a range of local 
entities in Fort Dauphin -- including sex workers -- made our 
Malagasy contacts more receptive to our message.  This initial visit 
to Fort Dauphin was clearly a milestone in terms of raising public 
awareness about a poorly understood problem.  END COMMENT. 
 
SIBLEY