Cablegate: Turkish Government Releases Anti-Tip Circular

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS ANKARA 004621

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM TU TIP IN TURKEY
SUBJECT: TURKISH GOVERNMENT RELEASES ANTI-TIP CIRCULAR
FOCUSED ON IMPLEMENTATION

REF: STATE 171293

1. In a significant step to further implementation of Turkish
laws and policy combating trafficking in persons, the
Interior Ministry (MOI) recently issued a circular to all
governors and senior security officials -- including the
Jandarma -- calling for tougher implementation of existing
regulations. In a conversation with us July 22, MOI
Secretary General Nezih Dogan confirmed press reports that

SIPDIS
the new circular is part of the wider GOT Action Plan to
combat TIP. According to Dogan, the circular:

-- increases the penalty against those who force foreigners
into prostitution -- those convicted of trafficking in
persons will face 5-10 years "heavy imprisonment;"

-- grants temporary visa extensions and/or supplementary
residency permits to victims of trafficking and instructs
that they be treated as victims not criminals;

-- instructs local officials to establish shelters for
victims;

-- instructs border control personnel to be more alert to the
status of groups of young women entering Turkey.

2. Dogan asserted to us that this circular "is much more
detailed" than previous memoranda on trafficking. The
circular also includes an "Implementation Guide" designed to
spell out exactly who is responsible for carrying out MOI's
instructions on TIP. The circular, Dogan explained, outlines
a four-tier system of monitoring implementation: 1) governors
and police chiefs; 2) MOI Inspectors; 3) Public Prosecutors;
and 4) public opinion, which Dogan said is becoming more
outspoken and therefore more influential on this issue.

3. This circular was noted in a number of local newspapers,
demonstrating the interest of the GOT in informing public
opinion to motivate the public to assist in combating TIP.

4. We will continue to follow up with MOI officials to
underscore the importance of implementation of GOT anti-TIP
initiatives.
DEUTSCH

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