VZCZCXRO8638
OO RUEHAST RUEHBI RUEHCI RUEHLH RUEHPW
DE RUEHTA #1111 1651156
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 131156Z JUN 08
FM AMEMBASSY ASTANA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2606
INFO RUEHAST/USOFFICE ALMATY 0488
RUCNCLS/SCA COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS ASTANA 001111 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
SCA/CEN FOR O'MARA, G/TIP FOR HALL, INL/AAE FOR BALABANIAN 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PHUM PGOV KCRIM KZ
SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN: TIP REPORT DELIVED 
 
REF: STATE 58370 
 
¶1.  (SBU) On June 4, Post delivered the annual Trafficking in 
Persons Report to Director of the Department of International Law of 
the Ministry of Justice Elvira Abilkhasimovna Azimova.  A copy of 
the Kazakhstan narrative and non-paper were provided.   The Ministry 
of Justice was complimented for being upgraded from Tier 2 Watch 
list to Tier 2 due to positive developments in investigations, 
prosecutions, and convictions of traffickers. Post recommended that 
Kazakhstan continue to improve conviction rates, ensure that 
traffickers serve sufficient time in prison, and provide assistance 
to victims of trafficking. 
 
¶2.  (SBU) Very pleased with the news, Azimova said that the GOK 
intends to work to further improve its TIP ranking by enhancing the 
victim assistance and protection components of the national anti-TIP 
action plan.  Azimova expressed thanks for the assistance that the 
USG had provided for law enforcement training and said she looked 
forward to future cooperation with the Embassy on victim assistance 
as well. Post informed Azimova that improving Kazakhstan's 
assistance to TIP victims would remain an Embassy priority and that 
the Embassy will support the Ministry's earlier request to learn 
more about how other countries have effectively provided victim 
assistance and what methods the GOK could use. 
 
¶3. (SBU) Azimova briefed Post on other positive developments since 
the submission of the last TIP Report. In particular, the Ministry 
of Culture and Information announced three grants to NGOs to produce 
and broadcast an anti-TIP video on national TV channels, to conduct 
information campaigns, and to establish a call center. The GOK also 
approved a one-year plan directing law enforcement agencies, the 
Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, and 
others to conduct awareness campaigns for the general public. 
 
¶4. (SBU) Azimova also reported that the Ministry is working on how 
best to establish a trafficking shelter or fund existing shelters 
operated by NGOs.  In response to the Ministry's request to provide 
a building for the purpose of establishing a shelter, the Akim 
(governor) of Akmola oblast offered to provide land where a shelter 
could be constructed and the Akim of Almaty oblast suggested using 
an existing temporary residence center for oralmans as a shelter for 
victims of trafficking. (Note. Oralmans are ethnic Kazaks who 
immigrated to Kazakhstan from other countries. End Note.) Neither 
proposal is acceptable to the Ministry and it is now looking for 
other options. 
 
¶5. (SBU) The Ministry is also drafting a project proposal to seek 
funding for victim assistance from the national budget.  Azimova 
pointed out that the Ministry has had some difficulty developing the 
project proposal because of its lack of experience in this area and 
requested the Embassy's assistance in finding and hiring an expert 
to draft the proposal and an expert to analyze and suggest 
recommendations for the improvement of victim assistance and 
protection legislation. INL Astana will look for funds in its 
anti-TIP program to respond to the Ministry's request. 
 
ORDWAY