VZCZCXYZ0024
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBU #0438 0991905
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 081905Z APR 08
FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0659
INFO RUCNMER/MERCOSUR COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000438 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PHUM KWMN SMIG KCRM ELAB AR
SUBJECT: ARGENTINE HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS PROTEST NEW TIP 
LEGISLATION, BUT BILL TO BE PASSED SHORTLY 
 
REF: Buenos Aires 344 
 
¶1.  (U) Summary:  A small group of anti-trafficking and feminist 
organizations gathered outside Argentina's Congress on April 3 to 
protest anti-TIP legislation currently under consideration by the 
Chamber of Deputies.  According to NGOs, the draft bill falls short 
of Argentina's international obligations under the Palermo Protocol, 
as trafficking victims over the age of 18 would have to prove that 
they did not consent to their trafficking and exploitation.  They 
argue that the new bill would make the prosecution of traffickers 
and procurers more difficult.  A small group of women led the 
demonstration, posted signs and slogans, handed out flyers, and 
promoted a petition against the draft legislation.  The 
demonstration was generally well received by passersby and attracted 
limited media attention. Press reports and Congressional deputies 
say the bill should be approved by the Chamber this week and then 
move to implementation.  End Summary. 
 
¶2.  (U) A small group of anti-trafficking protestors met in front of 
Congress on April 3 to voice their opposition to a trafficking in 
persons bill that was approved by the Senate in 2006 and is now 
under consideration by the Chamber of Deputies, where it may go to a 
plenary vote as early as April 9.  The bill would criminalize TIP 
and make it a federal crime, but it would also put the burden on 
trafficking victims over the age of 18 to prove that they were 
forced into prostitution or slavery through violence, threats, or 
coercion (see reftel for Embassy reporting on the pending 
legislation).  According to NGOs, this would make the prosecution of 
procurers and traffickers considerably more difficult.  They argue 
that this law presumes that victims can consent to their own 
exploitation, and violates international human rights standards. 
 
¶3.  (U) The activists rallied instead for a law that would more 
effectively condemn procurers and traffickers.  In accordance with 
the Palermo Protocol, the law should not distinguish between victims 
under or over 18 years old.  It would consider the trafficking of 
persons into prostitution or other forms of slavery a crime, 
regardless of the age of the victim.  TIP activists argue that a law 
without this distinction would more effectively protect the human 
rights of trafficking victims. 
 
¶4.  (U) The demonstration marked the sixth anniversary of the 
disappearance of trafficking victim Marita Veron, whose mther, 
Susana Trimarco, won the State Department's 2007 International Women 
of Courage Award for her anti-TIP efforts.  The demonstration 
consisted of a small group of ten to fifteen women from a variety of 
human rights, anti-trafficking, and feminist organizations.  These 
organizations included Red NO a la Trata, INADI, and La Casa del 
Encuentro.  Large posters and flyers displayed photos of trafficking 
victims as well as information on common misperceptions about 
prostitution being a victimless crime.  The slogan repeated on many 
flyers was "No more women as victims of prostitution networks." 
 
¶5.  (U) Anti-TIP activists set up a table with a petition against 
the draft legislation.  Men and women of all ages signed the 
petition.  The protestors, using a loudspeaker, succeeded in 
attracting the attention of pedestrians by playing music and making 
speeches regarding trafficking victims and the new legislation.  The 
demonstration attracted some media attention. Throughout the 
evening, two cameramen filmed the growing crowd, the numerous 
posters, as well as the speakers, while a reporter interviewed some 
of the activists.  Press coverage of the event was limited, but 
generally positive. 
 
¶7.  (SBU) Comment:  While the bill likely to be passed by the 
Argentine Congress falls short of Palermo Protocol obligations, it 
marks an important step in the right direction, and will serve as a 
catalyst for launching other initiatives such as the GOA's TIP 
action plan that focuses on improved assistance for trafficking 
victims.  As one female legislator told the Ambassador April 8, this 
is not a perfect bill but it will place trafficking under federal 
jurisdiction and start more effective anti-trafficking efforts. 
Then, she said, we can work on fixing the problems. Trafficking in 
persons is an issue that Argentines, on their own, recognize as a 
serious problem.  Post will continue to work with the GOA, the 
Legislature, and civil society to look for opportunities to revise 
the pending legislation and strengthen the law through implementing 
regulations.  End Comment. 
 
WAYNE