US embassy cable - 04RANGOON1301

C O N F I D E N T I A L RANGOON 001301 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EAP/BCLTV, DRL, G/TIP 
STATE PASS LABOR FOR ILAB 
COMMERCE FOR ITA JEAN KELLY 
TREASURY FOR OASIA JEFF NEIL 
USPACOM FOR FPA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/29/2014 
TAGS: PHUM, ELAB, PGOV, BM, Human Rights 
SUBJECT: BURMA'S SCHIZOPHRENIC TIPS POLICY 
 
REF: A. RANGOON 1224 AND PREVIOUS 
     B. RANGOON 1132 AND PREVIOUS 
 
Classified By: COM Carmen Martinez for Reasons 1.4 (B,D) 
 
1. (C) Summary: Though the Burmese government is taking steps 
to combat transnational trafficking in persons, it's becoming 
increasingly evident that the GOB is approaching domestic 
trafficking -- including forced labor -- from a different, 
less vigilant, angle. End summary. 
 
Anti-TIPs Unit, Not Anti-Forced Labor Unit 
 
2. (C) Police Brigadier General Wynn Myaing, Burma's top cop 
for anti-trafficking and transnational crimes, told us on 
September 27th that the Labor Ministry, not the Home Affairs 
Ministry, would retain jurisdiction over violations of 
Burma's forced labor laws.  Likewise he noted that domestic 
prostitution would remain under the jurisdiction of the 
regular police force, not the anti-trafficking unit.  He did 
claim, though, that the newly formed specialized unit would 
get involved if there were suspicions of trafficking involved 
in any prostitution cases.  It is unclear, though, who would 
make this judgment. 
 
3. (C) This refinement of the BG's previous comments to us 
(ref B) is further evidence of a growing divergence in the 
GOB's policies toward the interlocked issues of forced labor 
and other types of trafficking in persons.    While there has 
been significant progress in the GOB's attitude toward 
transnational trafficking, UNHCR and ILO officials in Rangoon 
tell us that in recent months there has been a sharp uptick 
in forced labor incidents -- especially in Rakhine State (ref 
A).  Furthermore, as the ILO has repeatedly noted, the GOB 
continues to refuse to enforce its own laws on forced labor. 
 
Comment: Split Personalities 
 
4. (C) Though the BG insisted that the GOB would adhere to 
the UN definition of trafficking and that his officers would 
be vigilant against all trafficking cases (domestic or 
transnational), there is no disputing that initial 
circumstantial evidence is pointing toward an emphasis on 
those trafficked across international borders.  Beside the 
issue of jurisdiction for forced labor and prostitution, the 
new anti-trafficking unit will come under the command of a 
new Department of Transnational Crime at the Ministry of Home 
Affairs.  Likewise, the new unit will have its tactical 
commands along the Chinese and Thai borders, with only 
logistical operations in Rangoon and Mandalay (both major 
sources and destinations for trafficked persons).  End 
comment. 
Martinez