US embassy cable - 04LILONGWE734

UNCLAS LILONGWE 000734 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR G/TIP (YOUSEY) AND AF/RSA (ZUEHLKE) 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PHUM, KCRM, KWMN, PREL, MI, Human Trafficking, Humanitarian, Public Relations 
SUBJECT: TIP OPEN FOR DISCUSSION IN MALAWI 
 
REF: A. LILONGWE 723 
 
     B. LILONGWE 710 
 
1.  SUMMARY.  On July 29, post hosted a Human Rights 
Symposium focused on trafficking in persons (TIP).  In 
attendance were numerous GOM officials, including Minister of 
Gender, Child Welfare, and Community Services Joyce Banda. 
The keynote address was presented by Supreme Court Justice 
Anastazia Msosa, and focused on what actions the GOM and 
civil society organizations might take to address the issue 
in Malawi.  Also in attendance were media representatives, 
NGO leaders, and diplomats, all of whom contributed to a 
thoughtful, intelligent discussion of how the problem of 
human trafficking can best be addressed in Malawi.  END 
SUMMARY. 
 
2.  In her keynote address Supreme Court Justice Anastazia 
Msosa pointed out that widespread poverty and rampant 
HIV/AIDS infection are likely behind Malawi's nascent TIP 
problem.  Regardless of these reasons, she said, human 
trafficking cannot be tolerated and must be addressed.  She 
called for tougher laws which would "close the gaps" in the 
existing penal code and a careful study of the exact nature 
of the problem in Malawi, both of which would permit the GOM 
to "lead the fight" against TIP.  Msosa, a well-respected, 
vocal human rights advocate, spoke openly about the need to 
develop and implement a national, regional, and global 
network to "speak with one voice" against human trafficking. 
 
3.  Minister Banda opted not to make a formal presentation 
(NOTE: Likely because of the GOM's refutation of the TIP 
report, reftel A.)  Banda did, however, add pertinent 
comments to the general discussion and was eager to hear from 
human rights NGOs and USG officials.  "You have an ally in 
me," she said when asked for a reaction to the discussion. 
 
4.  None of the GOM or NGO representatives present expressed 
surprise that TIP occurred in Malawi, and most seemed more 
interested in the way forward than in the mechanics of the 
report or of U.S. policy.  One senior GOM official who works 
in a ministry which has been particularly vocal in rejecting 
the TIP report's findings admitted that as traffickers become 
more "sophisticated," Malawi's laws need to keep pace and 
become equally sophisticated. 
 
5.  On August 2, an article in a nationwide daily newspaper 
correctly quoted the TIP report and referenced Msosa's July 
29 remarks.  The leader of a well-known NGO umbrella 
organization is quoted as saying that while the GOM lacks the 
capacity to investigate TIP, it can do more to address the 
problem. 
 
6.  COMMENT.  The issue of TIP is officially open for 
discussion in Malawi, a good start in raising awareness and 
encouraging action.  The attendance of several key GOM 
officials at the symposium and the GOM's scathing, but 
inconsistent, rebuttal to the TIP report both indicate that 
the issue has caught the GOM's attention.  As in our initial 
meeting regarding TIP (reftel B), the Minister was not 
interested in debating the USG's report, but rather gave us 
assurances of her interest in preventing TIP from increasing 
in Malawi.  The GOM's capacity and resources to investigate 
and prevent TIP are extremely limited; partnerships with NGOs 
and churches are likely to yield the best results in the 
fight against TIP. The recent publicity and, in the case of 
the GOM, unease regarding TIP may well serve as a catalyst 
for action. 
RASPOLIC