VZCZCXRO5015
PP RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN
RUEHLZ RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHNC #0180/01 0741112
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 141112Z MAR 08
FM AMEMBASSY NICOSIA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8655
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 0879
RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT 4293
RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 0316
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RUEHKV/AMEMBASSY KYIV 0026
RUEHML/AMEMBASSY MANILA 0078
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 0063
RUEHRB/AMEMBASSY RABAT 1753
RUEHDG/AMEMBASSY SANTO DOMINGO 0029
RUEHNT/AMEMBASSY TASHKENT 0050
RUEHWR/AMEMBASSY WARSAW 0269
RUEHIK/AMCONSUL THESSALONIKI 0029
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 0107
RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1096
RUEHC/DEPT OF LABOR WASHDC
RUEAHLC/HOMELAND SECURITY CENTER WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 06 NICOSIA 000180 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR G/TIP, INL, DRL, PRM, EUR. STATE PLEASE PASS 
TO USAID 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KCRM PHUM KWMN SMIG KFRD ASEC PREF ELAB CY
SUBJECT: TURKISH CYPRIOT-ADMINISTERED AREA -- EIGHTH ANNUAL 
TIP REPORT SUBMISSION 
 
REF: A. 07 STATE 02731 
 
     ¶B.  
 
NICOSIA 00000180  001.2 OF 006 
 
 
¶1. (U) Paras 3-6 are sensitive but unclassified -- not for 
internet distribution. 
 
¶2. (U) Embassy Nicosia hereby submits information for the 
April 2007 - March 2008 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report. 
Embassy point of contact is Amy E. Dahm, Political Section, 
Tel: (357) 22-39-3345, Fax: (357) 22-39-3467. Approximately 
40 hours (FSO-4) and 80 hours (FSN-10) were spent in 
preparing this material. 
 
¶3. (SBU) Answers in this para are keyed to the questions in 
Ref A para 27, "Overview." 
 
¶A. The area administered by Turkish Cypriots is a destination 
for women who are trafficked to work in the sex industry. 
Turkish Cypriot authorities acknowledge that trafficking is a 
problem on the island. Although they often confuse 
trafficking with alien smuggling, authorities seem to be more 
educated about trafficking compared to previous years. 
Turkish Cypriot authorities believe the area is, to a lesser 
extent, a transit point for people wishing to enter the EU 
illegally.  The scope of the trafficking problem is not 
clear. However, there are statistics on the number of foreign 
women who claim "artiste" status. In 2007, the Turkish 
Cypriot "Ministry of Interior" issued 1,317 
"artiste"-category work permits (9 of them "barmaid"-category 
work permits) to women coming to the north to work in 39 
nightclubs and 3 pubs (officially there are 9 pubs but 6 of 
them are without operating licenses and thus cannot employ 
artistes or barmaids and are thus practically closed). 
 
As of March 2008, 352 such foreign women were working in the 
area administered by Turkish Cypriots. In 2007, immigration 
police had repatriated 316 women who wished to curtail their 
nightclub contracts. These statistics, provided by the 
immigration police via the "Ministry of Interior," are 
reliable. The majority of trafficking victims are women from 
Eastern Europe.  All such foreign women entering the area 
administered by Turkish Cypriots arrive via Turkey, the only 
country with direct commercial air links to the north. The 
authorities maintain that most of these women have worked in 
nightclubs in Turkey, specifically in Istanbul, prior to 
their arrival in Cyprus. The authorities have also indicated 
that a significant number of Turkish women, who enter the 
area administered by Turkish Cypriots either on three-month 
tourist "visas" or on student "visas," work as prostitutes 
out of apartments in the cities of Nicosia, Kyrenia and 
Famagusta.  Immigration police said that, during the 
reporting period, women working in nightclubs and pubs came 
mostly from Moldova (80 percent) and Ukraine (11 percent), as 
well as smaller numbers from Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Georgia, 
Belarus, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, the Philippines, Kenya, 
Romania, and Nigeria. Information and statistics are readily 
available from the Turkish Cypriot authorities upon request, 
although there was no regular public disclosure. The 
"Ministry of Interior" tracks the number of work permits 
issued to nightclubs and pubs. Immigration police track 
entries/exits and repatriations to/from the area administered 
by Turkish Cypriots. The "Ministry of Health" keeps 
statistics on the required, weekly health checks for 
nightclub workers, and the police keep statistics on arrests 
related to prostitution, in the absence of anti-trafficking 
"legislation."  Women trafficked for purposes of commercial 
 
NICOSIA 00000180  002.2 OF 006 
 
 
sex do not change location once they have signed a contract 
with a particular nightclub in the north. 
 
¶B. During the rating period, there appear to have been no 
changes in the extent/direction of trafficking to/through the 
area administered by Turkish Cypriots. Recently, however, the 
"government" has displayed increased political will to 
address trafficking, as demonstrated by the drafting of an 
anti-trafficking "law" by the "Ministry of Interior" in 
conjunction with the legal department of the "Presidency", 
and the authorities have shown an increased awareness 
regarding trafficking. The authorities indicate that the 
"President" has made the preparation and passage of 
anti-trafficking legislation a priority. Some NGOs, notably 
the Turkish Cypriot Human Rights 
Foundation (KTIHV), has shown interest the issue of 
trafficking. The NGO sponsored the first anti-TIP conference 
held in the area administered by Turkish Cypriots in February 
¶2008. Also, authorities at the "Ministry of Health" continue 
to operate the "157" helpline, similar to the one operating 
in Turkey, which is dedicated to helping victims. Currently, 
the "Nightclubs and Similar Places of Entertainment Law" of 
2000 provides the most relevant legal framework vis-a-vis 
trafficking. Under this "law," such foreign women are not 
allowed to live on-site at their place of employment but 
instead live together as a group in a dormitory, which is 
usually adjacent to the nightclub or pub, or at another 
accommodation arranged by the establishment owner. In order 
to prevent establishment owners from taking their employees' 
passports, thereby further restricting their freedom of 
movement, Turkish Cypriot immigration police hold the travel 
documents for the duration of their stay. (Note: The police 
fall under the "Prime Ministry," but they are  ultimately 
under the operational command of the Turkish military, per 
transitional Article 10 of the "TRNC constitution," which 
"temporarily" cedes responsibility for public  security and 
defense from Turkish Cypriot civilian authorities to Turkey.) 
A nightclub may employ up to 12 women, but pubs, following a 
2007 amendment to the nightclubs "law," cannot employ any. 
Women receive six-month "artiste"-category work permits, 
which they may renew; however, they are required to leave the 
area administered by Turkish Cypriots at the expiration of 
the first permit for at least two months, then re-enter. 
 
The "law" states that an "artiste" who commits prostitution 
may receive up to two years of imprisonment and/or a fine of 
up to 1000 YTL (approximately $850). The same penalties apply 
to those who "encourage" an artiste to engage in 
prostitution.  These women may be subject to violence, 
threats, excessive working hours and inadequate pay, and may 
be forced to perform sexual acts for clients and employers. 
Turkish Cypriot authorities say that they do not know 
precisely who is behind this trafficking, since victims 
arrive via Turkey. They do not know what happens to these 
foreign women between the time they leave their countries of 
origin and arrive in the area administered by Turkish 
Cypriots. The authorities have indicated, however, that men 
accompanying these women at/through ports of entry are often 
Turkish. NGO representatives believe that organized crime is 
behind the ownership and management of some of the nightclubs 
in the area administered by Turkish Cypriots. The local press 
reported the claims of an independent researcher who had 
interviewed "artistes" at nightclubs that these women come to 
Cyprus with the assistance of employment agencies supposedly 
seeking models, baby-sitters, or elder caretakers. 
 
 
NICOSIA 00000180  003.2 OF 006 
 
 
¶C. A "Nightclub Commission," comprised of police, "Ministry 
of Labor," and "Ministry of Health" personnel, regulates 
these establishments. The "Ministry of Interior" serves as 
"interagency" coordinator in all issues concerning 
nightclubs. It meets once a month to discuss issues related 
to nightclubs/pubs and their employees. The "Commission" 
makes recommendations to the "Ministry of Interior" on the 
granting of operating licenses, on changes to employee 
quotas, and on the need to intervene in any problems arising 
at a particular establishment. 
 
¶D. There are a number of limitations on the "government's" 
ability to address trafficking. Not only is there no funding 
budgeted for anti-trafficking efforts, there still is no 
anti- trafficking "legislation." Turkish Cypriot authorities 
are not party to any international agreements due to the 
unrecognized status of the "Turkish Republic of Northern 
Cyprus -- TRNC." Likewise, no international NGOs have offices 
in the area administered by Turkish Cypriots. The authorities 
have signed no cooperative agreements with source countries, 
and would almost certainly be unable to do so due to 
recognition issues. Turkish Cypriot authorities have not 
participated in any EU or international conferences or 
training programs on TIP. Nevertheless, Turkish Cypriot 
authorities actively investigated allegations of related 
crimes. Police took advantage of nightclub and pub 
inspections to interview these foreign women and to ask if 
they were having any problems. According to police, several 
nightclubs and pubs are inspected on a weekly basis, and at 
least one operation is conducted each month. From their 
interviews, police estimated that around 10 percent of 
foreign female nightclub workers did not understand, prior to 
their arrival that they would be working as prostitutes. 
 
¶E. There is no mechanism in place for the "government" to 
monitor its anti-trafficking efforts. 
 
¶4. (SBU) Answers in this para are keyed to the questions in 
Ref A, para 28, "Investigation and Prosecution of 
Traffickers." 
 
¶A. The area administered by Turkish Cypriots does not have a 
"law" that specifically prohibits trafficking in persons. In 
2007, as in previous years, trafficking-related cases were 
tried on the grounds of the "Criminal Code of the TRNC" 
concerning (1) living off the earnings of prostitution or off 
the earnings of the provision of prostitutes and/or (2) 
encouraging prostitution. This "law" also prohibits (3) 
abduction and (4) forced labor. The authorities announced 
publicly in February 2008 that efforts to draft a new 
anti-trafficking "law" were almost complete. 
 
¶B. The area administered by Turkish Cypriots does not have a 
"law" that specifically prohibits trafficking in persons; 
however, persons convicted of living off the earnings of 
prostitution or off the earnings of the provision of 
prostitutes, or of encouraging prostitution, may receive up 
to two years imprisonment and/or a fine of YTL 1,000. Persons 
convicted of abduction may receive up to seven years 
imprisonment. Persons convicted of forced labor may receive 
up to one year imprisonment. Living off the earnings of 
prostitution or off the earnings of the provision of 
prostitutes" and "encouraging prostitution" are both illegal, 
and information was used to make arrests on both crimes 
during the reporting period. Turkish Cypriot authorities did 
not prosecute any trafficking cases due to the lack of 
 
NICOSIA 00000180  004.2 OF 006 
 
 
appropriate legislation. In 2007, police arrested 55 people 
in 40 prostitution-related cases. Fourteen of these cases 
were closed, whereby three people received prison sentences, 
seven received fines, and four people were released. 26 cases 
involving 30 people are pending. 
 
¶C. Persons convicted of abduction may receive up to seven 
years imprisonment. 
Persons convicted of forced labor may receive up to one year 
imprisonment. In the reporting period, there were no reported 
incidents of labor trafficking offenses. 
 
¶D. The law prescribes no minimum sentence for individuals 
convicted of rape, including spousal rape; the maximum 
sentence is life imprisonment. There are no prescribed 
penalties for crimes of trafficking. 
 
¶E. Prostitution is illegal, as are "living off the earnings 
of prostitution or off the earnings of the provision of 
prostitutes" and "encouraging prostitution." Nightclubs are 
governed by "legislation," as stated above, and are supposed 
to provide only entertainment (i.e. dance shows, etc.) 
 
¶F. The authorities have prosecuted cases against nightclub 
owners and pimps on prostitution-related charges. 
 
¶G. Authorities have not provided any specialized training for 
officials in how to recognize, investigate, and prosecute 
instances of trafficking. 
 
¶H. Turkish Cypriot authorities cooperate with Turkish 
authorities on most criminal matters, but 
trafficking-specific cooperation is often lacking due to the 
absence of anti- trafficking "legislation" in the area 
administered by Turkish Cypriots. The Turkish Cypriot 
authorities have cooperated with the UN police to conduct a 
raid and rescue a victim; usually, however, Turkish Cypriot 
authorities are able to cooperate only with Turkey, although 
they can and have contacted Interpol (via Turkey) on other 
matters. 
 
¶I. The "TRNC constitution" does not allow the extradition of 
Turkish Cypriots; Turkish Cypriot authorities have no plans 
to amend this prohibition. The authorities can, however, 
extradite citizens from other countries, although they did 
not receive any requests to do so during the reporting period. 
 
¶J. There is no evidence of involvement in trafficking by 
"government" authorities, but trafficking can be said to be 
tolerated due to a lack of anti-trafficking legislation, 
prosecution, and infrastructure. The "government" has issued 
public statements recently that indicate growing interest in 
tackling trafficking, however. 
 
¶K. No "government officials" were prosecuted for engaging in 
related crimes during the rating period. 
 
¶L. N/A 
 
¶M. N/A 
 
¶5. (SBU) Answers in this para are keyed to the questions in 
Ref A, para 29, "Protection and Assistance to the Victims." 
 
¶A. The "government" does not provide temporary or permanent 
residency status for trafficking victims. Trafficking victims 
 
NICOSIA 00000180  005.2 OF 006 
 
 
are not identified as trafficking victims. Deportation is the 
most common form of "rescue" the authorities use for women 
who complain about their employment at nightclubs and demand 
help from the police. 
 
¶B. The "Ministry of Health" operates a "157" helpline, 
similar to the one operating in Turkey, to provide support to 
"artistes" seeking help. The nurse responsible for answering 
the "157" calls speaks Russian, Moldovan, English and 
Turkish. However, when Embassy officers recently called the 
helpline, the nurse did not identify herself or the service. 
The "Ministry of Health" requires nightclub employees to 
report to a hospital for weekly health checks in order to 
prevent the spread of sexually-transmitted diseases. 
Furthermore, the "Ministry" inspects nightclubs to ensure 
that these women are not subjected to unsanitary working or 
living conditions. With the stated intention of protecting 
these foreign women, the "Nightclubs and Similar 
Places of Entertainment Law" mandates that immigration police 
keep their passports during their stay on Cyprus. Also under 
the "law," immigration police repatriate any woman who wants 
to leave. Because of the above, Turkish Cypriot authorities 
have not historically seen a need to offer shelter or 
counseling; however, recent statements and overtures by the 
authorities towards some Turkish Cypriot NGOs seem to 
indicate that the "government" is willing to partner with 
them to establish a shelter for trafficking victims. In 2007, 
316 foreign women were repatriated. 
 
¶C. Turkish Cypriot authorities did not provide funding or 
other forms of support to foreign or domestic NGOs for 
services to victims. 
 
¶D. There is no formal system of identification and referral. 
 
¶E. Prostitution is not legal in northern Cyprus. 
 
¶F. Trafficking victims are not formally recognized as such. 
If a foreign woman is arrested for prostitution, the 
authorities typically deport her the same day. 
 
G and H. Though there is no formalized witness protection 
program, police claim that an unspecified number of foreign 
women gave statements in the investigations of crimes related 
to prostitution. There is no victim restitution program. 
These women are not permitted to pursue other employment in 
the area administered by Turkish Cypriots if they leave their 
nightclub or pub. If the woman does not want to be deported 
and expresses a desire to seek legal action, the woman 
attains "witness" status and is accommodated in a hotel under 
police protection until the case is concluded. There is no 
publicly-supported shelter in the area administered by 
Turkish Cypriots. Historically, Turkish Cypriot authorities 
were not convinced that there is need for such victim 
services, including a shelter, because the "police" arrange 
immediate repatriation for foreign women who wish to leave 
their employment. However, authorities have recently 
expressed a desire to increase victim protection services. 
 
¶I. Turkish Cypriot authorities do not receive specialized 
training in recognizing trafficking and providing assistance 
to victims. However, authorities have facilitated training by 
allowing some law enforcement personnel to attend training 
provided by international NGOs. 
 
¶J. No Turkish Cypriot women have been repatriated as victims 
 
NICOSIA 00000180  006.2 OF 006 
 
 
of trafficking. 
 
¶K. There were no international organizations or NGOs that 
provided services for TIP victims. There are Turkish Cypriot 
NGOs involved in anti-trafficking efforts, but they have been 
more involved with awareness raising and research of the 
problem. 
 
¶6. Answers in this para are keyed to the questions in reftel, 
para 30 "Prevention." 
 
¶A. Turkish Cypriot authorities acknowledge that trafficking 
is a problem. 
 
¶B. The Turkish Cypriot authorities have not conducted any 
government-run anti-trafficking information or education 
campaigns during the reporting period. 
 
¶C. There is limited, but slowly increasing, communication 
concerning TIP between Turkish Cypriot authorities and civil 
society. In February 2008, the U.S. Embassy, Turkish Cypriot 
Human Rights Foundation (KTIHV) and British High Commission 
teamed up to sponsor a widely-attended anti-trafficking 
conference that gathered together "government," police, media 
and civil society representatives. 
 
¶D. Turkish Cypriot authorities monitor both air and sea ports 
of entry and along the Green Line (dividing the 
government-controlled and Turkish-Cypriot administered areas 
of Cyprus) and maintain basic statistical information; 
however, they do not monitor immigration and emigration 
patterns for evidence of trafficking. 
 
¶E. There is no mechanism for coordination and communication 
between various Turkish Cypriot "agencies," or between the 
"government" and relevant international entities. Turkish 
Cypriot authorities have not designated a TIP working group 
or single point of contact. There is no public corruption 
task force. 
 
¶F. Turkish Cypriot authorities have not developed a 
"national" plan of action to address TIP. 
 
¶G. The authorities have taken no measures to reduce the 
demand for commercial sex acts. 
 
¶H. The authorities have taken no measures during the 
reporting period to reduce participation in international 
child sex tourism by Turkish-Cypriot nationals; however, 
international child sex tourism is not a documented issue in 
Cyprus. 
 
¶I. N/A 
SCHLICHER