US embassy cable - 05ASUNCION742

UNCLAS ASUNCION 000742 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR WHA/BSC, GTIP 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OPRC, KWMN, PHUM, PREL, SMIG, PA, KCRM 
SUBJECT: PARAGUAY ON TIP REPORT, NEXT STEPS 
 
REF: STATE 97687 
 
1.  On 6/2, Polcouns shared with Julio Peralta, the MFA's 
Director of International Organizations, an advance copy of 
the 2005 TIP report on Paraguay.  Drawing from reftel points, 
Polcouns noted significant progress Paraguay had made in 
combating TIP particularly with regard to successful 
prosecution of traffickers, greater coordination and 
collaboration among key players, and creation of a 
rehabilitation center.  Paraguay needed to do more to step up 
prosecutions, increase public awareness, and improve services 
for victims.  Peralta, as chair of an interagency 
coordination group on TIP, was central to GOP efforts to 
improve Paraguay's record on combating this problem.  He 
appreciated the report's recognition of the progress Paraguay 
had made and was pleased with the decision to remove Paraguay 
from the Watch List. 
 
2.  On 6/8, Paraguay will inaugurate a Rehabilitation Center 
for victims of trafficking.  The center will be staffed by 
psychologists, sociologists, and lawyers dedicated to helping 
TIP victims recover from their traumatic experiences and 
reintegrate into society.  It will also sponsor workshops to 
raise the awareness of TIP and how to deal with the problem 
in local communities.  The U.S. has provided approximately 
USD 30,000 to prepare the facility for use and procure 
computers, furniture, and other equipment and materials. 
 
3.  In a 5/31 discussion with Nancy Ortega, the Center's 
Director, on preparations to open the center, Polcouns 
stressed the importance the U.S. placed on prevention of 
trafficking and prosecution of traffickers as necessary 
complementary measures to protection of victims.  The Women's 
Ministry (MOW) is involved in efforts to repatriate 29 
Paraguayans from Encarnacion, Paraguay discovered recently 
working in a brothel in Cordoba, Argentina.  All traveled 
willingly to Argentina crossing the  border without 
inspection.  However, while some traveled knowing they would 
work as prostitutes; many were misled and did not learn what 
they were getting into until they arrived in Cordoba. 
Polcouns drew attention to the need for Paraguay to center 
prevention efforts in vulnerable communities such as 
Encarnacion and to investigate and prosecute aggressively 
traffickers implicated in this particular case. 
 
4.  Ortega described MOW efforts to develop a publicity 
campaign with U.S. funds consisting of flyers, posters and 
radio and newspaper spots carefully targeted at vulnerable 
communities.  She agreed prosecution of traffickers was key 
to addressing the problem of impunity.  She noted that many 
of the women from Encarnacion do not want to press charges 
for fear of reprisals.  However, she indicated at least one 
woman's family had expressed interest in discussing with 
prosecutors the possibility of pressing charges.  Post will 
report septel as more information on this case becomes 
available upon return of the women to Paraguay. 
KEANE