US embassy cable - 05DHAKA248

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 DHAKA 000248 
 
SIPDIS 
 
INL/CTR 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: BG, PHUM, KCRM 
SUBJECT: GTIP INCLE PROPOSAL 
 
REF: 04 SECSTATE 248000 
 
1.  Embassy Dhaka is pleased to propose the following project: 
 
Title:  CAPACITY BUILDING OF DISTRICT POLICE ANTI-TRAFFICKING 
MONITORING CELLS TO MANAGE AN EFFECTIVE DATABASE AND COMBAT 
HUMAN TRAFFICKING 
 
Potential Partner: IOM 
Project Duration: 2 years 
 
Objectives 
---------- 
 
Increase the capacity of District Anti-Trafficking Monitoring 
Cells through training staff members on how to collect, 
store, and manage reliable data, protect victims and 
witnesses of human trafficking, and work with prosecutors for 
effective prosecution of human traffickers. 
 
Activities 
------------ 
 
-- General concepts of trafficking and the trafficking 
situation in Bangladesh 
-- Data collection, storage, and analysis 
-- Trafficking laws & responsibilities 
-- Investigation and interrogation methods 
-- Evidence collection and chain of custody handling 
-- Victim and witness protection options 
-- Community outreach techniques 
-- Study/observational trip 
-- Develop training curriculum for Police Academy based on 
lessons learned from field        work 
-- Train the trainers in new curriculum, including other Law 
Enforcement Agencies such as    the Bangladesh Rifle (BDR) 
and Immigration Officials. 
 
Sustainability 
-------------- 
 
The primary objective is to enhance the capacity of local law 
enforcement officials by enriching their knowledge of the 
trafficking paradigm and providing them with the necessary 
skills to better combat human trafficking of women and 
children in Bangladesh.  Reaching the on-the-ground staff is 
key to strengthening their ability to identify trafficking, 
properly document and collect evidence of trafficking and 
ultimately prosecute the traffickers.  However, 
sustainability of these efforts will only occur if these 
training modules are formalized and included in the Police 
Academy,s and other Law Enforcement Agencies' training 
curriculums.  This project will do that.  Additionally, it is 
proposed that a training of trainers be carried out to ensure 
that the knowledge and skills developed by this initiative 
will be sustained for future use. 
 
IOM has had substantial experience throughout the region and 
in Bangladesh working with law enforcement officials.  They 
have already carried out a needs assessment and drafted 
training materials in conjunction with representatives from 
different law enforcement agencies in country. 
 
Justification 
------------- 
 
After much discussion amongst various anti-trafficking 
stakeholders within Bangladesh it is clear one of the most 
pressing needs is reliable data regarding trafficking in 
Bangladesh. Because of the clandestine nature of human 
trafficking, accurate data is difficult to collect and only 
guess estimates can be determined based on newspaper reports 
or from information gathered from NGO,s. 
 
Data on trafficking statistics is just beginning to be 
complied nationwide and made available through a centralized 
police monitoring cell.   This data is limited, however, 
since the cell just began operations June 2004. Likewise, 
district level cells, 64 in total nationwide, were also 
established at that time in response to Bangladesh 
temporarily being placed on the Tier III list.  The 
thoroughness and reliability of this data collected is also 
questionable since the main collectors of data, police in the 
district level monitoring cells, have no formal training on 
collection and storage of data or specialized training 
regarding trafficking at all. 
 
Each district cell is responsible for sending data from their 
districts regarding cases under trial, cases disposed and 
what their outcomes were, victim recovery, and where victims 
are rehabilitated to on a daily basis to the central Police 
Monitoring Cell at police headquarters. Cells are also 
suppose to ensure prosecution of cases filed for trafficking, 
that proper witnesses show up to court for the appropriate 
trial, and monitor court cases related to trafficking. 
 
The formation of the district level cells has been a step in 
the right direction but much remains to be done to 
effectively combat trafficking. Police and staff at the 
district level cells have received no formal training 
regarding trafficking in persons therefore they do not fully 
understand the scope of the trafficking problem in 
Bangladesh, the nature of trafficking operations, techniques 
in evidence collection for trafficking cases, procedural 
aspects for prosecuting traffickers, or proper methods for 
protecting the rights of survivors. This is especially 
alarming since the police at the district level cells are the 
first layer of law enforcement and contact with the legal 
system for many victims or perpetrators. 
 
Since the BDG created the monitoring cell in response to 
their Tier III ranking, and in accordance with the action 
plan  provided by the Department,  post sees a need to 
support and encourage the constructive steps they have taken. 
Providing training and support to increase the capacity of 
district level monitoring cells will give positive 
reinforcement to government actions and equip the cells to 
function as we suggested.  To fully and adequately staff, 
equip and fund the police monitoring cell is a fundamental 
component under the action plan provided to the Government. 
Better prepared and trained law enforcement officials should 
lead to greater arrests of traffickers, increased rescue of 
victims and ultimately higher conviction rates of 
traffickers; all points highlighted in the anti-trafficking 
action plan submitted to the BDG. 
 
Furthermore, providing training and resources to build an 
effective database at the point where data is first collected 
will ensure a quality database that is centrally located and 
accessible. Another important gap in the current 
anti-trafficking infrastructure in Bangladesh is lack of 
attention to victim recovery and rehabilitation. The police 
would like to  start a comprehensive database of returned 
victims, and having the right IT tools and training for 
effective databases will equip them to create new databases. 
This feeds directly into some of the long-term approaches 
outlined in the BDG action plan of (1) developing a system 
for tracking, compiling and disseminating TIP-related law 
enforcement information and statistics, particularly data on 
investigations, arrests, prosecutions and convictions and (2) 
track and provide information on the number of victims 
assisted and the types of assistance they receive. 
 
Performance Indicators 
---------------------- 
 
A performance monitoring and evaluation plan will be 
submitted by the recipient (IOM) once funding has been 
approved. The critical indicator is an increase in the number 
and percentage of successful investigations, prosecutions and 
convictions. However, performance indicators could include 
the following examples: 
 
-- No. of data entered per month and sent to Police HQs from 
each district. 
-- No. of victims recovered 
-- No. of victims rehabilitated 
-- No. of cases under trial 
-- No. of prosecution cases filed for trafficking 
-- No. of staff trained on basic Anti-trafficking issues. 
-- No. of staff trained for victims handling/psycho-social 
protection 
-- Improvement by personnel receiving the training from 
pre-test to post-test results 
-- Number of trainers trained 
 
Evaluation Plan 
--------------- 
 
Ultimate progress will measured by the institutionalization 
by the Police Academy of the anti-trafficking capacity 
building courses.  This includes formal adoption of the 
training curriculum and training of trainers.  Interim 
measures during the two-year  implementation of the project 
could include the number of participants trained, their 
improvement on pre and post training tests and the annual 
percentage increase in traffickers arrested and convicted. 
As mentioned above the implementer will be required to 
provide a project performance monitoring plan once funding is 
awarded. 
 
Follow-up will be done by the Home Ministry, who has overall 
responsibility for the police force and the Police Command 
itself.  The goal will be to have inserted anti-trafficking 
training and investigative techniques into on-going, standard 
police and law enforcement training. 
 
The implementation and advancement of the goals of this 
project should be reviewed on a semi-annual basis. 
 
Budget 
--------- 
 
The total estimated cost for this project is $ 290,000 over a 
two year period.  This can be summarized in the following 
general budget line item estimates: 
 
1. Implementer staff/management: $75,000 
2. Consultants: $35,000 
3. Training Events: 40,000 
4. Materials, Manuals--Development and Production: $35,000 
5. Commodities (Computers/software/office equpit, etc.) 
$90,000 
6. Study tour/observational trip $15,000 
 
Type and Amount of Host Government Contribution 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
 
Host country contribution is expected to be approximately 25% 
the cost of this project or about $70,000, measured by 
in-kind contributions of staff time, logistical support, rent 
and use of training facilities (both at the police academy 
and off-site) and materials. 
 
Embassy POC is Poloff Charlene Wang 
 
END TEXT. 
 
2.  Please advise. 
THOMAS