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INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUEHUJA/AMEMBASSY ABUJA 0079
RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD 0119
RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA 0041
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 0668
RUEHNR/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 0051
RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 0444
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 0317
RUEHNT/AMEMBASSY TASHKENT
RHMFIUU/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTON DC
RUEHC/DEPT OF LABOR WASHINGTON DC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
RHMFIUU/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 10 ATHENS 000205 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR G/TIP, G-ACBlank, EUR/SE, EUR/PGI, INL, DRL, PRM, IWI 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PHUM KTIP PREF ASEC KCRM KFRD KWMN SMIG ELAB GR
SUBJECT:  Greece: 2009 TIP Report Submission - Part 3 of 4 
 
REF: 08 STATE 132759 
 
¶1.  (U) This document is Sensitive But Unclassified.  Please 
protect accordingly. 
 
¶2.  (U) This is the third of four cables.  The cable text is keyed 
to REFTEL paragraph 26 (PROTECTION AND ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS). 
 
------------------------------------ 
PROTECTION AND ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS 
------------------------------------ 
 
¶3.  (SBU) -- A.  What kind of protection is the government able 
under existing law to provide for victims and witnesses? Does it 
provide these protections in practice? 
 
The law on Organized Crime (2928/2001) provides for witness 
protection when a case is linked to organized crime.  In other types 
of cases, including trafficking cases, the police can protect the 
victim or witness with a prosecutor's order.  The Anti-Trafficking 
Police reported that it employs a variety of techniques to protect 
TIP victims, including protective arrangements with NGO shelters, 
on-site protection at a police station, or even moving victims to 
other cities where they are protected from traffickers. 
 
The law provides for a 30-day reflection period where victims may 
decide whether or not to assist in a government investigation.  NGOs 
report that the 30-day reflection period is not always provided 
consistently. 
 
These pQ Q$!Q(QQQ! !QQQ!) Q"! Q 
shelters for unaccompanied minors, orphanages, or in a separate 
section of an adult detention center or in other state institutions. 
 ACT UP, an NGO, runs a shelter that provides specialized care for 
young male victims of sex trafficking. 
 
Private NGOs were typically funded by a mixture of direct government 
support, grant program funding, and private donations. 
 
For information on government funding for NGOs that operate 
shelters, please see the following section on trafficking victim 
services. 
 
-- C.  Does the government provide trafficking victims with access 
to legal, medical and psychological services? If so, please specify 
 
ATHENS 00000205  002 OF 010 
 
 
the kind of assistance provided.  Does the government provide 
funding or other forms of support to foreign or domestic NGOs and/or 
international organizations for providing these services to 
trafficking victims?  Please explain and provide any funding amounts 
in U.S. dollar equivalent.  If assistance provided was in-kind, 
please specify exact assistance.  Please specify if funding for 
assistance comes from a federal budget or from regional or local 
governments. 
 
(NOTE: Please protect all information on funding levels and the 
specific NGOs and agencies that received grants.  This information 
should not be published or released to the public.  END NOTE.) 
 
The government provides trafficking victims with access to legal, 
medical, and psychological services both directly, through 
government-run shelters and publicly accessible health care, and 
indirectly, by funding private NGOs to provide these services.  In 
2008, the Ministry of Health, the MFA (Hellenic Aid), and the 
Ministry of Employment provided grants to private NGOs to provide 
victim services.  All assistance came from the national government's 
budget. 
 
Overall, for 2008 the Government of Greece reported funding at least 
2,671,207 euro (3,740,000 USD) for anti-trafficking efforts, 
including grants for NGOs, regional anti-TIP initiatives, legal 
assistance, and training.  This is a 17 percent increase from the 
1,869,100 euro reported for the previous year.   Of the 2008 
funding, 1,739,421 euro (2,435,000 USD) was provided by the MFA and 
Hellenic Aid, 486,786.20 euro (681,500 USD) was provided by the 
Secretariat for Gender Equality (Ministry of Interior), and the 
remaining 445,000 euro (623,000 USD) was provided by the Ministry of 
Health and Welfare.  (NOTE: This amount is a minimum figure for the 
Greek government as it does not include funding provided by the 
Ministry of Justice or Ministry of Employment to combat trafficking. 
 Funding statistics from these ministries were not available.  END 
NOTE.)  This funding included: 
 
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS / HELLENIC AID FUNDING: 
 
The MFA approved the following special anti-Trafficking projects: 
 
-- 200,000 euro (280,000 USD) earmarked for the Transnational Action 
against Child Trafficking (TACT) program in Albania, a three-year, 
cross-border program also funded by USAID. 
 
-- 140,000 euro (196,000 USD) for a joint public awareness campaign 
on child trafficking with UNICEF. 
 
The rest of this funding was provided by Hellenic Aid in the form of 
domestic, regional, and international anti-TIP grants worth 
1,399,421 euro (1,960,000 USD).  515,738 euro (722,000 USD, or 37 
percent) was designated for NGOs, while 883,683 euro (1,238,000 USD, 
or 63 percent) was earmarked for government-run anti-trafficking 
projects.  The following projects were funded: 
 
-- 160,725.17 euro (225,000 USD) to the Center for European 
Constitutional Law for strengthening cooperation agreements in East 
Africa and the Western Balkans against trafficking. 
 
-- 46,500 euro (65,000 USD) to ENOW, an NGO, to run an S.O.S. 
hotline for trafficking victims. 
 
-- 495,000 euro (693,000 USD) to the Ministry of Interior to provide 
shelter, food, education, and voluntary repatriation to refugees, 
asylum seekers, and victims of trafficking. 
 
-- 60,472 euro (84,660 USD) to the Ministry of Interior's Center for 
Security Studies to combat human trafficking in Albania, 
Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Ukraine. 
 
-- 134,391 euro (188,147 USD) to the Ministry of Interior's 
Directorate for Development Programs and International Organizations 
to formulate development mechanisms to address migration and 
trafficking issues. 
 
-- 193,820 euro (271,348 USD) to the General Secretariat for Gender 
 
ATHENS 00000205  003 OF 010 
 
 
Equality to provide anti-trafficking training to NGOs and local 
government agencies in Greece and Albania. 
 
-- 143,440 euro (200,816 USD) to PRAKSIS, an NGO, for 
anti-trafficking training and operating reception centers for 
illegal migrants and trafficking victims. 
 
-- 126,388.50 euro (177,000 USD) to the Greek Council of Refugees, 
an NGO, to provide legal, psychological, and social support to 
victims of trafficking and asylum seekers. 
 
-- 38,684.35 euro (54,200 USD) to CARITAS, a Catholic 
church-affiliated NGO, to provide food and social support for 
migrants, refugees, and victims of trafficking. 
 
MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND WELFARE FUNDING: 
 
The Ministry of Health supported the following projects in 2008: 
 
-- 265,000 euro (371,000 USD) for governmental trafficking and abuse 
victim shelters operated by EKKA. 
 
-- 180,000 euro (252,000 USD) for the Ministry's ongoing partnership 
with Smile of the Child to combat child exploitation. 
 
The Secretariat for Gender Equality, a part of the Ministry of 
Interior, supported the following projects in 2008: 
 
-- 486,786.20 euro (681,500 USD) for the Research Center for Gender 
Issues on three projects:  1) Awareness-building against sex 
trafficking, focusing on students in Kosovo and Sarajevo; 2) 
Trafficking prevention education in Albania, and 3) Anti-trafficking 
training for Greek government officials. 
 
According to NGOs, the government provides free basic health care to 
individuals who can show proof of legal residency - including 
recognized victims of trafficking.  In addition, some hospitals 
offer free STD screening and checkups to the public. 
 
In 2008, NGOs throughout the country reported problems with 
accessing government grant funding.  For a full discussion of these 
issues, please see the section on the government's limitations on 
addressing trafficking. 
 
-- D. Does the government assist foreign trafficking victims, for 
example, by providing temporary to permanent residency status, or 
other relief from deportation?  If so, please explain. 
 
The government provides temporary residency status to foreign 
trafficking victims who assist in prosecuting traffickers and who 
wish to remain in Greece.  When a public prosecutor identifies a 
potential victim of trafficking (either by referral from the police 
or an NGO), the victim is offered the opportunity to utilize a 
30-day reflection period to consider whether or not to assist in an 
investigation.  If the victim cooperates with the police, the 
government provides a temporary renewable residence permit and 
access to job training and social services programs.  Victims who 
choose not to assist in an investigation are given assistance in 
voluntary repatriation to their home countries. 
 
During 2008, the Ministry of Interior granted legal residency 
permits to 97 trafficking victims (63 in 2007).  27 were new permits 
and 70 were renewals. 
 
According to some NGOs, law enforcement authorities do not always 
provide the 30-day reflection period in practice.  Additionally, 
victims who are too scared to participate in investigations against 
their traffickers are left with few options - repatriation or 
asylum.  Such victims, should they choose to remain in Greece, may 
lack legal residency and thus be susceptible to immigration 
violation charges.  These NGOs urged the government to adopt more 
"victim-friendly" measures for providing temporary legal residency. 
 
-- E. Does the government provide longer-term shelter or housing 
benefits to victims or other resources to aid the victims in 
rebuilding their lives? 
 
ATHENS 00000205  004 OF 010 
 
 
 
The government provides benefits to trafficking victims for as long 
as they are in shelters and during the 30-day reflection period. 
The government does not directly provide longer-term shelter or 
housing benefits to victims.  Recognized victims have access to the 
same education, health, and welfare benefits as legal residents. 
 
The government indirectly provides longer-term shelter to victims 
through certain private NGOs, including ENOW, ACT UP, and 
Solidarity.  These NGOs intermittently receive government funding. 
 
-- F. Does the government have a referral process to transfer 
victims detained, arrested or placed in protective custody by law 
enforcement authorities to institutions that provide short- or 
long-term care (either government or NGO-run)? 
 
Memoranda of Cooperation (MoCs) between law enforcement authorities 
and registered NGOs allow victim transfers between local police 
units and NGO shelters.  This mechanism allows the Anti-Trafficking 
Police to transfer victims from law enforcement custody into short 
or long-term care shelters.  Police officers reported that they had 
MoCs with some shelters and unofficial referral relationships with 
others.  The police have a screening process to make sure that 
possible victims of trafficking in custody are not deported or sent 
to migrant detention centers. 
 
The majority of NGOs reported good cooperation with the police and 
excellent cooperation with the specialized Anti-Trafficking Unit. 
However, some NGOs noted that this screening process did not always 
work effectively, with potential victims still ending up in 
detention centers or deportation proceedings - especially when 
unspecialized or untrained police officers were the first point of 
contact for the victim.  Additionally, some NGOs in Thessaloniki 
reported limited communication with local anti-trafficking police 
officers, due to the constant police assignments cycle.  These NGOs 
reported that established, productive relationships with experienced 
police officers came to an end when they were transferred to new 
units. 
 
-- G. What is the total number of trafficking victims identified 
during the reporting period?  Of these, how many victims were 
referred to care facilities for assistance by law enforcement 
authorities during the reporting period?  By social services 
officials?  What is the number of victims assisted by 
government-funded assistance programs and those not funded by the 
government during the reporting period? 
 
2008 statistics on trafficking victims were provided separately by 
the Hellenic Police and NGOs.  (NOTE:  Numbers do not agree because 
the police and NGOs track victims separately and using different 
methodologies.  END NOTE.) 
 
POLICE STATISTICS ON VICTIMS:  In 2008, the Hellenic Police 
identified 78 victims of sex and labor exploitation (100 in 2007). 
Law enforcement authorities provided assistance and protection to 36 
victims (35 in 2007) and social services officials and NGOs together 
provided assistance to 26 victims. 
 
Country breakdown of identified victims:  25 from Romania, 23 from 
Bulgaria, 19 from Russia, 5 from Albania, 2 from Nigeria, and 1 each 
from France, Hungary, Lithuania, and Ukraine. 
 
NGO and IO STATISTICS ON VICTIMS: 
 
In 2008, NGOs and IOs, most of whom receive government funding or 
training assistance, reported assisting at least 657 victims of 
trafficking.  A breakdown by each individual organization follows, 
in alphabetical order.  (For more information on the activities of 
each NGO, please see the section on "Protection and Assistance to 
Victims," question M.) 
 
A21:  Private NGO receiving no government funding but some 
government training.  A21 opened its TIP victim assessment center in 
December 2008.  In 2008, A21 provided assistance to three victims of 
trafficking. 
 
 
ATHENS 00000205  005 OF 010 
 
 
ACT UP:  Private NGO receiving some government funding.  In 2008, 
ACT UP provided shelter, psychological, and/or medical assistance to 
10 male victims of sex trafficking.  All of the men originated from 
sub-Saharan Africa, Afghanistan, or East Asia. 
 
ASSOCIATION FOR THE SOCIAL SUPPORT OF YOUTH (ARSIS):  Private NGO 
receiving some government funding.  ARSIS assisted 198 Albanian 
children begging on streets of Thessaloniki, and provided assistance 
to 48 new child beggars. Of the 48 cases, over a third were aged 1-5 
years, typically accompanied by their mothers.  By gender: 27 boys, 
21 girls.  By ethnic / national origin:  24 children (50 percent) 
were Roma and 14 (29 percent) were Egyptian. 
 
CENTER FOR REHABILITATION OF TORTURE VICTIMS (CRTV):  Private NGO. 
In 2008, CRTV provided assistance to four victims of trafficking. 
 
CENTER FOR VICTIMS OF ABUSE AND SOCIAL EXCLUSION (EKYTHKA):  Private 
NGO.  In 2008, EKYTHKA provided assistance to two victims of 
trafficking. 
 
COUNSELING CENTER OF ATHENS FOR VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN:  Run by the 
governmental General Secretariat for Gender Equality, the Center's 
hotline provided assistance to two victims of trafficking in 2008. 
 
EKKA:  Run by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and runs two 
shelters for victims of trafficking and abuse.  From 2004-2008, EKKA 
reported providing accommodation and assistance to 55 female victims 
of trafficking.  During that time period, EKKA also referred 67 
victims to other shelters and legal aid organizations. 
 
EUROPEAN NETWORK OF WOMEN (ENOW): Private NGO receiving some 
government funding.  In 2008, ENOW provided shelter to 35 female 
victims of trafficking, mostly younger women.  17 were from Romania 
(mostly Roma), 11 from Russia, 3 from Nigeria, 2 from Albania, and 1 
each from Bulgaria and Lithuania.  ENOW assisted 30 women in 
obtaining legal documentation.  ENOW monitored 6 victims who had 
left the shelter but were assisting the government in law 
enforcement investigations.  ENOW provided interpretation services 
and support via its hotline, which received 120 calls in 2008. 
 
GREEK COUNCIL FOR REFUGEES (GCR):  Private NGO receiving some 
government funding and focusing on legal aid for refugees, asylum 
seekers, and victims of trafficking.  In 2008, GCR provided legal 
assistance to 34 female victims of trafficking in coordination with 
the Anti-TIP Unit of the Hellenic Police. 
 
INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR THE SUPPORT OF FAMILIES (DESO):  Private 
NGO, receiving some government funding.  In 2008, DESO provided 
assistance, shelter, and/or psychological support to 11 female 
victims of trafficking. 
 
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION (IOM):  International 
Organization receiving some government funding.  In 2008, IOM Greece 
provided voluntary repatriation and NGO referral assistance to 60 
victims of trafficking. 
 
INTERNATIONAL POLICE ASSOCIATION (IPA): Private NGO receiving some 
government funding.  In 2008, IPA assisted 10 victims of 
trafficking, providing protection and safe repatriation services. 
 
KLIMAKA:  Private NGO receiving some government funding.  In 2008, 
KLIMAKA provided shelter to 25 female victims of trafficking.  Its 
shelter closed in April 2008 and after that date KILMAKA provided 
"outpatient" assistance to a further 15 victims. 
 
NEA ZOI:  Faith-based NGO associated with evangelical Protestant 
churches, receiving no government funding but some government 
training.  (Featured "TIP Hero" in the 2008 TIP Report.)  In 2008, 
Nea Zoi reported assisting 110 female victims of trafficking, all 
prostitutes.  55 were from Nigeria, 27 from Romania, 14 from 
Bulgaria, 8 from Albania, and 6 from Russia. 
 
SOLIDARITY:  Faith-based NGO associated with the Greek Orthodox 
Church, receiving some government funding.  In 2008, Solidarity 
provided job training, shelter, psychological, and/or medical 
assistance to 18 victims of trafficking. 
 
ATHENS 00000205  006 OF 010 
 
 
 
-- H. Do the government's law enforcement, immigration, and social 
services personnel have a formal system of proactively identifying 
victims of trafficking among high-risk persons with whom they come 
in contact (e.g., foreign persons arrested for prostitution or 
immigration violations)?  For countries with legalized prostitution, 
does the government have a mechanism for screening for trafficking 
victims among persons involved in the legal/regulated commercial sex 
trade? 
 
Formally, the government's law enforcement, immigration, and social 
services personnel all receive training on identifying victims of 
trafficking.  The Anti-TIP Police, in particular, have specialized 
training in identifying and providing support for TIP victims among 
high-risk groups.  This training comes from a variety of sources: 
NGOs, other government agencies, U.S. Immigration and Customs 
Enforcement, etc.  The "vice squad" (the Prostitution and Gambling 
Division of the Hellenic Police) is responsible for screening 
prostitutes, both licensed and unlicensed, for potential trafficking 
victims. 
 
In practice, however, victim identification procedures, especially 
among front-line Border Police, Coast Guard, and "vice squad" 
officers, need to be strengthened. 
 
NGOs reported that victim identification was the government's 
greatest weakness in combating trafficking in persons.  While the 
specialized Anti-Trafficking Police did a good job with victim 
identification and support, NGOs stated that trafficking victims 
were far more likely to be first encountered by a Border Police or 
Coast Guard officer detaining illegal migrants or a "vice squad" 
officer patrolling a red-light district. 
 
In 2008, the government made multiple efforts to address this 
problem.  The Anti-TIP Police provides regular training to "vice 
squad" officers on victim identification, and the MOJ and MFA, in 
coordination with IOM, have provided anti-trafficking training to 
Coast Guard officers.  The Anti-TIP Police distributed interactive 
training guides on the government's "Ilaeira" anti-TIP initiative to 
all police commanders in the country. 
 
One example of excellent cooperation between law enforcement and 
NGOs in victim identification occurred in February 2009. 
Anti-Trafficking Police officers identified two male Romanian 
victims of labor trafficking in Patras, and transferred them to IOM 
for shelter and repatriation.  The two victims were provided shelter 
by ACT UP, an NGO specializing in male TIP victims.  IOM coordinated 
between its Athens and Bucharest missions to ensure the safe and 
voluntary repatriation o the two victims. 
 
-- I. Are the rights of victims respected?  Are trafficking victims 
detained or jailed?   If so, for how long?  Are victims fined?  Are 
victims prosecuted for violations of other laws, such as those 
governing immigration or prostitution? 
 
Overall, officially-recognized victims of trafficking are treated 
well by the government.  Victims who supported the government in an 
investigation received support and legal counseling from NGOs, 
police protection, and a reprieve of crimes committed their 
victimization (mostly illegal prostitution and/or immigration 
violations).  They can receive temporary, renewable legal residency 
at no charge.  However, victims typically only get official status 
if they testify or provide material support to an investigation. 
Otherwise, victims only have the option of voluntary repatriation, 
or remaining in Greece in possible violation of immigration laws. 
 
NGOs report that many unlicensed prostitutes in Greece are victims 
of sex trafficking.  These victims, who do not have official 
recognition, may be detained or jailed.  If detained by the "vice 
squad," unlicensed sex workers are typically arraigned in an 
expedited court proceeding, assessed a fine, and then released.  The 
Aliens Police, responsible for enforcing migration laws, can detain 
unlicensed sex workers without legal residency on immigration 
violations.  This can result in detentio of up to three months in a 
migration detentin center. 
 
 
ATHENS 00000205  007 OF 010 
 
 
-- J. Does the government encourage victims to assist in the 
investigation and prosecution of trafficking?  How many victims 
assisted in the investigation and prosecution of traffickers during 
the reporting period? May victims file civil suits or seek legal 
action against traffickers?  Does anyone impede victim access to 
such legal redress?  If a victim is a material witness in a court 
case against a former employer, is the victim permitted to obtain 
other employment or to leave the country pending trial proceedings? 
Are there means by which a victim may obtain restitution? 
 
The government does encourage TIP victims to assist in the 
investigation and prosecution of trafficking cases.  There is strong 
NGO support for some victims during court cases, and NGO 
representatives who have been present at trials state that without 
such support, many victims would be emotionally unable to testify. 
While statistics on the number of victims providing assistance were 
unavailable for 2008, an adequate proxy statistic is the number of 
newly recognized trafficking victims (16 in 2008), or alternatively, 
the number of new residence permits granted to TIP victims (27 in 
2008). 
 
The process of granting official victim status and issuing a 
victim's residency permit is only put into motion after victims 
agree to cooperate with authorities in the prosecution of their 
traffickers.  Once the temporary residency permit is issued, the 
victim is legally allowed to obtain other employment in Greece.  The 
Anti-Trafficking Police reported that they helped facilitate the 
temporary repatriation of victims willing to assist or testify in an 
investigation. 
 
Greek legislation provides for the confiscation of proceeds of 
criminal enterprises but these proceeds can not be given to TIP 
victims for restitution.  Victims may obtain restitution only if 
they file civil suits against traffickers.   This is very difficult 
in practice, given the high cost of filing civil lawsuits and the 
inefficiency of the administrative court system.  Cost and the 
prospect of protracted delays serve as the main deterrents for 
victims to pursue restitution or damages in civil court. 
 
-- K. Does the government provide any specialized training for 
government officials in identifying trafficking victims and in the 
provision of assistance to trafficked victims, including the special 
needs of trafficked children?  Does the government provide training 
on protections and assistance to its embassies and consulates in 
foreign countries that are destination or transit countries?   What 
is the number of trafficking victims assisted by the host country's 
embassies or consulates abroad during the reporting period?  Please 
explain the type of assistance provided (travel documents, referrals 
to assistance, payment for transportation home). 
 
The government provides specialized TIP victim training to police 
personnel, prosecutors, and social services staff.  The 
Anti-Trafficking Police coordinate victim identification and 
assistance training, in cooperation with NGOs and IOs such as IOM, 
for police divisions nationwide.  The police also conduct regular 
retraining sessions and conferences on trafficking issues. 
 
The MFA, as part of its regular consular training module, provides 
diplomatic and consular officers with anti-trafficking training. 
This training is focused primarily on the visa fraud and malfeasance 
aspects of human trafficking.  On an ad-hoc basis, the MFA also 
provides victim identification and assistance training to diplomatic 
and Hellenic Aid personnel. 
 
As there are no known cases of Greeks as victims of trafficking, the 
MFA did not report assisting any Greek victims with repatriation to 
Greece. 
 
-- L. Does the government provide assistance, such as medical aid, 
shelter, or financial help, to its nationals who are repatriated as 
victims of trafficking? 
 
Not applicable - Greece is not a source country for TIP victims. 
 
-- M. Which international organizations or NGOs, if any, work with 
trafficking victims?  What type of services do they provide?  What 
 
ATHENS 00000205  008 OF 010 
 
 
sort of cooperation do they receive from local authorities? 
 
IOs and NGOs provide a wide variety of anti-trafficking services, 
from shelters and legal aid for victim to repatriation and regional 
law enforcement coordination.  In general, NGOs report excellent 
cooperation with the Anti-Trafficking Police with victim referrals, 
training, and protective custody.  NGOs also apply for government 
grants and receive funding from a number of ministries, including 
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Hellenic Aid), Ministry of Health, 
and the Ministry of the Interior.  However, NGOs reported increasing 
difficulty in accessing government funding.  For a full discussion 
of funding issues, please see the section on the government's 
limitations on addressing trafficking.  For statistics on the number 
of victims assisted by each NGO, please see the section on the 
government's victim assistance activities. 
 
(NOTE: IOs and NGOs that have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation 
with the Interministerial Committee for Trafficking in Persons are 
considered "official" partners of the Greek government for 
anti-trafficking activities.  The government unofficially cooperates 
with NGOs that have not signed an MOC, especially for victim 
referral and support services.  END NOTE.) 
 
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS (IOs): 
 
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION (IOM):  Led by Daniel 
Esdras, IOM's Greece mission is one of the most active organizations 
on anti-trafficking issues.  Coordinates with the government on 
repatriation of victims; conducts seminars and TIP training for 
NGOs, social workers, police officers, prosecutors, judges, and the 
diplomatic corps; oversees public awareness programs on trafficking; 
active member of the MFA-led working-level interministerial task 
force on TIP.  IOM has excellent cooperation with local authorities 
and receives government funding for its projects.  IOM is also a 
lead drafter of the Greek government's yearly report on 
anti-trafficking efforts.  IOM signed a MOC with the 
Interministerial Committee. 
 
UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES (UNHCR):  The UNHCR 
mission in Greece monitors the conditions of refugees and partners 
with the government to improve its treatment of asylum seekers. 
UNHCR provides training and reporting on victims of trafficking. 
 
NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS (NGOs): 
 
A21: A new international NGO established in 2008 and based in 
Thessaloniki.  Founded by a prosecutor, A21 runs a small shelter for 
TIP victims and promotes public awareness activities.  A21 liaises 
with local police officials and is involved in the legislative 
process for trafficking-related laws. 
 
ACT UP:  Provides STD and HIV screening, active in street advocacy 
work, victim identification and support, and referral to government 
officials.  ACT UP specializes in male victims of sex trafficking, 
especially from Afghanistan and Africa.  Receives government 
funding. 
 
ASSOCIATION FOR THE SOCIAL SUPPORT OF YOUTH (ARSIS):  One of the 
most active NGOs on anti-trafficking issues, ARSIS is based in 
Thessaloniki and receives significant government funding for its 
domestic and regional projects.  Conducts victim identification, 
public awareness, and lobbying activities.  Partners with Terre des 
Hommes in the Hellenic Aid and USAID-funded TACT project for 
Albanian child trafficking victims; is one of the NGOs expected to 
implement the Albania Child Repatriation Agreement.  Excellent 
relationship with government authorities and with the police.  ARSIS 
signed the MOC with the Interministerial Committee. 
 
CENTER FOR REHABILITATION OF TORTURE VICTIMS (CRTV): Activities 
include victim shelters, counseling and psychiatric support, legal 
aid, and public awareness initiatives.  CRTV has regular ad-hoc 
cooperation with government officials, especially with local police 
authorities, and receives TIP victim referrals.  Receives government 
funding. 
 
CENTER FOR VICTIMS OF ABUSE AND SOCIAL EXCLUSION (EKYTHKA): Provides 
 
ATHENS 00000205  009 OF 010 
 
 
temporary shelter and offers psychological and legal support to 
victims.  Good cooperation with Greek authorities.  Receives GoG 
funding.  Signed the MOC with the Interministerial Committee. 
 
COUNSELING CENTER OF ATHENS FOR VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN:  A 
government-affiliated NGO run by the General Secretariat for Gender 
Equality.  Provides a hotline for victims of trafficking. 
 
EKKA:  A government-affiliated NGO run by the Ministry of Health and 
Welfare.  Operates two shelters for TIP victims, one in Thessaloniki 
and one in Athens.  Provides psychological, vocational, and legal 
assistance.  The Athens shelter was closed for much of 2008 but EKKA 
reopened its Athens shelter in January 2009. 
 
EUROPEAN CONSTITUTIONAL LAW CENTER:  Organized a series of 
multilateral, regional meetings to discuss NGO best practices in 
combating TIP.  Final meeting was in 2008. Good cooperation with the 
government; receives government funding. 
 
EUROPEAN NETWORK OF WOMEN (ENOW):  Active anti-trafficking NGO that 
offers a multilingual victim hotline, a shelter, psychological and 
counseling support, legal aid, government advocacy, and public 
awareness campaigns.  ENOW has good cooperation with local 
authorities, provides translation services for victims, and receives 
government funding.  Due to delays in grant disbursements, ENOW was 
forced to suspend operation of its shelter in late 2008.  Signed a 
MOC with the Interministerial Committee. 
 
GREEK COUNCIL FOR REFUGEES (GCR): The UNHCR's official NGO partner 
for refugee and asylum issues, GCR also provides legal aid, 
advocacy, family contact services, and TIP-related training.  GCR 
specializes in legal assistance issues and coordinates both 
full-time and pro bono lawyers.  GCR has good cooperation with local 
authorities, receives government funding, and signed the MOC with 
the Interministerial Committee. 
 
GREEK HELSINKI MONITOR (GHM): An NGO focusing on human rights, 
religious freedom, anti-Semitism, and trafficking issues. 
Specializes in researching and publicizing human rights abuses, 
advocacy, and lobbying.  Due to its active criticism of the 
government, GHM does not have good cooperation with the Greek 
authorities. 
 
HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENSE CENTER (KEPAD): KEPAD specializes in legal and 
academic research on human rights and trafficking issues.  Is the 
primary Greek coordinator of the Ariadne Regional Network, a network 
of NGOs throughout Eastern Europe that focus on best practices for 
anti-trafficking NGOs and government authorities.  Is an ECOSOC 
observer at the United Nations.  Regularly publishes research on 
anti-trafficking best practices.  KEPAD has excellent cooperation 
with GoG and receives GoG funding.  Signed MOC with Interministerial 
Council. 
 
INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR THE SUPPORT OF FAMILIES (DESO): DESO 
operates a shelter and provides food and clothing, medical, 
psychological, and advocacy services to TIP victims.  DESO has good 
cooperation with local authorities and received government funding 
and in-kind donations (real estate for its shelter).  DESO signed 
the MOC with the Interministerial Committee. 
 
INTERNATIONAL POLICE ASSOCIATION (IPA):  The IPA consists of 
active-duty and retired police officers and provides training for 
regional police forces on TIP.  The IPA also provides protective 
custody and escort services for the authorities.  Good cooperation 
with authorities and receives government funding.  IPA signed the 
MOC with the Interministerial Committee. 
 
KLIMAKA: Active NGO that provides counseling, legal aid, and 
referral assistance to victims of trafficking.  KLIMAKA closed its 
shelter in mid-2008 due to funding constraints and continued 
providing "outpatient" services to victims. 
 
NEA ZOI:  Greek for "new life," Nea Zoi is a faith-based NGO that 
specializes in female victims of sex trafficking, particularly 
prostitutes.  Nea Zoi organizes street advocacy, brothel visits, 
vocational training, and victim identification campaigns.  Nea Zoi 
 
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works with local authorities on victim referrals.  Does not receive 
government funding but receives government training.  Emma Skjonsby 
was featured as a TIP Hero in the 2008 Trafficking in Persons 
Report.  Signed the MOC with the Interministerial Committee. 
 
SMILE OF THE CHILD: A well-funded international NGO that runs the 
Greek Centre for Missing & Exploited Children.  Specializes in child 
abuse and also supports anti-trafficking activities.  Operates 
shelters for primarily Greek children but also non-Greek child 
victims of trafficking.  Has active public awareness and lobbying 
campaigns.  Smile of the Child has excellent cooperation with the 
government and signed the MOC with the Interministerial Committee. 
 
SOLIDARITY: An NGO affiliated with the Greek Orthodox Church, 
Solidarity is well-funded and focuses on a wide variety of issues 
including international aid relief (for example, to Gaza), 
development, poverty alleviation, vocational training, counseling, 
and food kitchens.  Solidarity also runs a shelter that accepts 
victims of trafficking.  Has excellent cooperation with the 
government and is a major beneficiary of government funding.  Signed 
the MOC with the Interministerial Committee. 
 
¶4.  (U) Greece 2009 TIP Report Submission continued SEPTEL. 
 
SPECKHARD