VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHOU #0608 2111557
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 301557Z JUL 09
FM AMEMBASSY OUAGADOUGOU
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5255

UNCLAS OUAGADOUGOU 000608 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PHUM PGOV KCRM UV
SUBJECT: BURKINA FASO:  ACHIEVEMENTS IN COMBATING CHILD 
TRAFFICKING 
 
REF: OUAGADOUGOU 551 
 
¶1.  SUMMARY: During the last six months the Government of 
Burkina Faso has made significant efforts to combat child 
trafficking. The measures include massive information 
campaigns, arrests and a new anti-trafficking law. END 
SUMMARY. 
 
Significant achievements 
------------------------- 
 
¶2.  Mrs. Somkinda Traore, Secretary General of the Ministry 
of Labor and Social Affairs was the keynote speaker at a July 
30th Child Trafficking Conference organized by the 
International Labor Organization (IPEC/Lutrena programs). 
She outlined the efforts and successes the Government of 
Burkina Faso has untertaken since January 2009. 
 
¶3.  According to Traore, in the last six months the GOBF has 
undertaken the following anti-TIP measures: 
 
-- Decree Number 2009-365/PRES/PM/MTSS/MS/MASN of 28 May 2009 
establishes a list of the worst and most dangerous forms of 
child labor in Burkina Faso. 
 
-- With the assistance of the Lutrena program (ILO), Burkina 
Faso was able to mobilize and use NGOs and associations, the 
trade union of road transporters, and media outlets as well 
as government workers operating outside of Ouagadougou to 
promote anti-child trafficking messages.  As a result, 
fourteen action programs were established to permit 
prevention, protection and socio-economic rinsertion of 
victims of trafficking and assistane to families where 
children may be considered vlnerable to trafficking. 
 
-- In addition, the GOB recorded the following results in 
combating TIP 
 
= 3,000 victims of child trafficking wer rescued and 
returned to their families. 
= 1,080 victims or highly vulnerable children were schooled 
(either formally or as apprentices). 
= 50 traffickers were arrested and 5 prosecuted. 
= 76 suspected traffickers saw their networks dismantled. 
= 32 provincial committees were set up to help sensitization 
efforts. 
= 68 relay centers were established in 68 different villages. 
= 8 school sensitization clubs were created. 
= 600,000 people were impacted by information and 
sensitization campaigns. 
 
TV spot on child trafficking 
----------------------------- 
 
-- The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs and the Lutrena 
project also produced a short video on child trafficking and 
the legal repercussions of engaging in it.  The video was 
broadcasted multiple times on local television channels.  The 
4.20 minute video shows a farmer negotiating the "purchase" 
of five children to plow and maintain his field.  The 
trafficker convinces villagers to give him their children 
whom he will in turn sell or lease to the farmer.  He gives 
one of the mothers 2,000 CFA (4 USD) in exchange for her son. 
 While the children are being transported by bus to the 
farmer's village police intercept the vehicle and conduct 
identity checks.  The police quickly realize that the 
trafficker is illegally transporting the children, arrest him 
and send him to court.  In court the trafficker is sentenced 
to 10 years in jail and a monetary fine for child 
trafficking.  The video clip finishes by stating that 
"Children are not merchandize.  Those who engage in 
trafficking --  traffickers or their accomplices are 
criminals and will be punished". (Note: The video also thanks 
the USG and the Government of Denmark for their financing of 
the video. End Note.) 
 
COMMENT:  While the situation of child trafficking and child 
labor remains a concern for Burkina Faso, the GOBF seems 
eager to address the issue, even publicly, and has made 
significant efforts to address child trafficking concerns. 
The Secretary General was keen to share the successes with us 
and said she hopes that this would be reflected in our annual 
TIP report.  She also expressed the hope that the USG would 
continue to fund Lutrena projects so that Burkina Faso could 
continue to combat child trafficking.  END COMMENT. 
 
LAEUCHLI