VZCZCXRO6859
RR RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHOU #0551 1951252
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 141252Z JUL 09
FM AMEMBASSY OUAGADOUGOU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5193
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS OUAGADOUGOU 000551 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PHUM KCRM ELAB SOCI PGOV UV
SUBJECT:  BURKINA FASO STRIVES TO ADDRESS CHILD TRAFFICKING ISSUES. 
 
¶1.  (SBU) SUMMARY:  Burkina Faso is a source and transit country for 
trafficked children destined for labor or sexual exploitation in the 
sub-region.  In the past year, and in order to reverse this trend, 
the Government of Burkina Faso has undertaken a number of noteworthy 
anti-trafficking in persons (TIP) actions.  The June 16 celebration 
of the Day of the African Child was an example of the GOBF's efforts 
to combat TIP through sensitization campaigns. It has also launched 
a child vulnerability study and a TIP survey. END SUMMARY 
 
The strategic city of Banfora hosts a major event: 
--------------------------------------------- ------ 
 
¶2.  (SBU) On June 16, and in line with its yearlong anti-TIP 
actions, the Government of Burkina Faso celebrated the 19th edition 
of the Day of the Africa Child by hosting a large-scale 
sensitization program presided over by Burkina Faso's First Lady, 
Chantal Compaore.  The event was hosted in the western city of 
Banfora, about 275 miles South West of Ouagadougou near the Cote 
d'Ivoire border (Note: Banfora is the capital city of Cascades 
Region. End Note.)  The Cascades region is the closest region to the 
Ivoirian cotton plantations and gold mines where most trafficked 
Burkinabe children go to work. 
 
¶3.  (SBU) More than six thousand people (including 2,000 Burkinabe 
children and 210 Ivoirian children) participated in the event.  Also 
present were Burkinabe cabinet members, parliamentarians, local 
authorities, traditional chiefs, and religious leaders.  In 
attendance were several international and NGO leaders, including 
representatives from UNICEF, WHO, Plan International, and Save the 
Children Canada.  These institutions funded 4,000 T-shirts printed 
with anti TIP messages that were distributed to participants and 
observers as part of the sensitization drive. Children took center 
stage during the event and emceed the show, delivered speeches and 
produced sketches. Organizers believe that this event reached 
approximately six thousand persons in addition to the participants. 
 
TIP vulnerability study: The First Lady speaks out 
--------------------------------------------- ------ 
 
¶3.  (SBU) A 2009 study conducted by the Regional Directorate of 
Social Action and National Solidarity in the Cascades region 
concluded that 10,737 orphans and other children are potential 
trafficking victims.  The study demonstrated that Burkinabe children 
are particularly susceptible to labor trafficking networks in Cote 
d'Ivoire.   Representatives from the children's parliament, the 
Governor of Cascades Region (Mrs. Fatoumata Legma), NGOs, UNICEF 
representatives and the First Lady herself have spoken out publicly 
denouncing the situation.  They deplored that, in spite of efforts 
made by the government, the TIP situation has worsened in Burkina 
Faso.  The children's spokesperson denounced the use of child labor 
in mining sites and plantations as well as the many diseases, 
malnutrition, and mistreatment/violence that afflict children.  The 
First Lady called for both collective and individual actions to 
improve children's well-being.  She raised the need to send children 
to school, to vaccinate them, provide them with a safe and balanced 
diet.  The Minister of Social Action and National Solidarity echoed 
those thoughts and said she was committed to enhancing and 
multiplying actions toward improving children's living conditions. 
 
The GOBF's efforts to address TIP: 
---------------------------------- 
 
¶4.  (SBU) On June 15, the GOBF and its partners (including UNICEF, 
Plan International, and Terre des Hommes Lausanne) launched a 
three-month, one billion CFA (approximately two million USD) 
nationwide study pertaining to the use of child labor in the mining 
and handicraft sectors.   As part of the study, 75 interviewers and 
4 consultants have been hired for the project that is intended to 
address the worst forms of child labor and the children trafficked 
for labor purposes. Conclusion of that report are expected to be 
made public before December 2009. 
 
¶5. (SBU) COMMENT:  While in the past year Burkina Faso has made 
laudable efforts to address, sensitize and combat child trafficking 
in its worst forms, there is still a long way to go.  In Burkina 
Faso, poverty is a determining factor in vulnerability to child 
trafficking and child labor (Note: In 2008, the UN Human Development 
index rated Burkina Faso second to last among all countries. End 
Note.) In addition to poverty, the insufficient funds and human 
resources dedicated to combating trafficking, coupled with the poor 
enforcement of existing laws have been obstacles to the eradication 
of TIP in Burkina Faso.  END COMMENT 
 
LAEUCHLI