US embassy cable - 05BRATISLAVA360

UNCLAS  BRATISLAVA 000360 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
FOR EUR/NCE AND G/TIP 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PHUM, PREL, SMIG, KWMN, LO 
SUBJECT: SLOVAKIA PICKS UP MOMENTUM ON TIP ISSUES 
 
REF: BRATISLAVA 298 
 
1. (SBU) Summary. The Slovak government recently completed a 
needs assessment analyzing current trafficking activities and 
invited poloffs to discuss the findings.  In a May 5 meeting, 
Jana Kviecinska, the Director General of the Human Rights and 
Minorities Section at the Office of the Government, informed 
us that the GOS will take immediate steps to build relevant 
anti-trafficking institutions.  Interior Minister Vladimir 
Palko and Deputy Prime Minister Pal Csaky recently agreed to 
intensify activity in this area.  The planned resolution will 
name a national coordinator under the Ministry of Interior, 
propose increasing the number of police officers working on 
TIP, and appropriate additional funds to the fight against 
trafficking, with an emphasis on victim services.  End 
Summary. 
 
Momentum to Combat TIP Increases 
-------------------------------- 
 
2. (SBU)  When Slovakia created an expert working group on 
trafficking in persons at the end of March (see reftel), 
momentum to implement new mechanisms to fight trafficking 
increased.  On May 5, Jana Kviecinska, Director General of 
the Human Rights and Minorities Section at the Office of the 
Government shared with poloffs recent findings from a 
nation-wide needs assessment and future steps.  In preparing 
this report, the government surveyed several NGOs and police 
officers, and referenced several countries' best practices. 
The report concluded that several immediate steps could be 
taken in order to strengthen existing anti-trafficking 
activities.  The briefing and recommendations have been 
approved both by Interior Minister Vladimir Palko and Deputy 
Prime Minister for Human Rights Pal Csaky. 
 
Immediate Solutions Proposed 
---------------------------- 
 
3.  (SBU)  The needs assessment with proposed recommendations 
will be submitted to an upcoming government coalition meeting 
for further discussion.  The Human Rights section proposed 
appointing a National Coordinator for Trafficking issues 
within the Ministry of the Interior, from where the 
government's efforts -- including coordination with the NGO 
community -- will be strengthened.  Kviecinska noted that 
placing the position within the Ministry of the Interior, as 
opposed to making it a Plenipotentiary position responsible 
directly to the Prime Minister, was pragmatic because it 
would ensure effective coordination, including the national 
and border forces. 
 
Long-Term Vision 
---------------- 
 
4.  (SBU) The report proposed some long-term solutions, such 
as an increase in the number of trained police officers in 
the regions of Slovakia most in need, such as Lucenec and 
Michalovce in the Southeast.  Kviecinska also mentioned an 
increased role for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, by 
earmarking funds for the repatriation of Slovak trafficking 
victims and giving grants to NGOs offering reintegration. The 
working group will incorporate a number of these ideas into a 
national action plan, which should be prepared by year's end. 
 
5. (SBU) While Kviecinska's office will "get the ball 
rolling" by providing recommendations at an upcoming GOS 
cabinet meeting, the Ministry of the Interior will create the 
long-term strategy.  Kviecinska hoped that, in conjunction 
with the small NGO community working on the trafficking 
problem, Slovakia could increase training for government and 
immigration officials in repatriation and assistance to 
identified victims.  She said that she had been surprised to 
learn that the border police are already quite supportive of 
their NGO partners, and that they have even begun to allow 
NGO representatives to participate and observe investigations 
in some instances. 
 
Future Cooperation 
------------------ 
 
6. (SBU) Kviecinska stressed that USG support in identifying 
conferences, training, and other avenues through which 
experience could be gained abroad both at the professional 
level as well as the Ministerial level would be greatly 
appreciated.  Invitations for high-ranking officials to 
present Slovakia's activities and achievements in 
counter-trafficking would be extremely welcome. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
7. (SBU) During the meeting, Kviecinska repeatedly referred 
to the new National Coordinator as "she," an apparent tip of 
the hat to her preferred candidate and apparent odds-on 
favorite for the job, Anna Babincova, the head of the 
police's anti-trafficking unit.  According to Kviecinska, 
Babincova is pleased that the issue with which she has been 
so active is finally getting significant financial resources 
and high-level support.  Kviecinska hopes that Babincova's 
elevation to the new position will give her the access needed 
to continue the government's newly-found momentum on this 
issue. 
 
8. (SBU) Not all of these ideas are new, and the recent needs 
assessment included several recommendations from a 2002 
proposal Slovakia submitted to the United Nation's Office for 
Drugs and Crime Prevention.  That proposal is still waiting 
for funding.  Nonetheless, the meeting assured poloffs that 
the government is committed to moving forward with 
strengthening anti-trafficking activities with domestic funds 
in the absence of the promised international assistance. 
THAYER 
 
 
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