DOJ/OPDAT Trafficking in Persons
Combating Trafficking in Persons (TIP) is a top OPDAT priority. OPDAT provides substantial technical assistance throughout the world based on a holistic model encompassing the "Three Ps of TIP:" Prevention, Protection and Prosecution. OPDAT assistance includes training and developmental projects with overseas law enforcement officials geared to strengthening our international partners' capabilities to prevent transnational trafficking; protect victim witnesses and thereby encourage their participation in investigations and prosecutions; and effectively investigate and prosecute trafficking cases. OPDAT also works with host countries on developing evidence collection techniques which can generate evidence usable in transnational prosecutions, including those brought by the Justice Department in the US. OPDAT also does legislative reform and drafting in the area of TIP to ensure that TIP law is victim assistance centered and compliant with Palermo Protocol of UN Organized Crime Convention.
OPDAT regularly calls upon the expertise of Department attorneys from the Civil Rights Division (CRT), the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and the United States Attorney's Offices (USAO) in both the design and execution of anti-trafficking in persons (TIP) technical assistance and training programs overseas. Advisors regularly furnish legislative drafting and implementation assistance with the help of Departmental experts from CRT, CEOS and USAOs, who are selected for their expertise in a specific area or their work on a successful TIP prosecution that they can present as a case study to their foreign counterparts.
In FY 2007, OPDAT conducted 55 programs involving 19 countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Georgia, Ghana, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Macedonia, Malawi, Nepal, Romania, Russia, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, and Zambia).
Recent Activities
Victim/Witness Coordination Seminar in Romania: On October 22-25, OPDAT conducted the fifth and final seminar on the implementation of victim/witness coordination for the Romanian National Anti-TIP Agency (ANAT). The purpose was to address ways to sustain the cooperation of victims of human trafficking throughout the criminal investigation, trial, and appeal process. This seminar marked the end of the Resident Legal Advisor program in Romania. Representing DOJ were the RLA to Romania, a Victim/Witness Coordinator, and a FBI Victim Specialist.
Raising Awareness of Human Trafficking in Kosovo: On October 22, OPDAT and the US Office in Pristina presented a series of film screenings and discussions on the subject of human trafficking in Pristina, Kosovo. On October 16 and 17, OPDAT hosted a series of roundtable discussions on the prevention of trafficking in persons in Pristina and Prizen, Kosovo. The purpose of the events was to heighten awareness and bring greater understanding of the global problem of trafficking to young adults and potential victims in Kosovo. The events were presented in coordination with other activities in the region as part of the “Human Trafficking Awareness Month.” Representing DOJ were the OPDAT Resident Legal Advisor to Kosovo, head of the federal task force on human trafficking in Cleveland, Ohio, and the First Assistant United States Attorney from the Western District of Wisconsin.
Anti-Child Pornography Seminar in Georgia: From October 8-12, the OPDAT Resident Legal Advisor to Georgia conducted a legislative drafting seminar on combating child pornography in Tbilisi, Georgia, for representatives from the Georgian Office of Public Prosecution Service, Georgian National Communications Commission, and the leading Internet Service Provider. The purpose was to draft legislation that would provide an effective tool for prosecuting child pornography, including Internet child pornography cases. US experts included the OPDAT Program Manager for Eurasia, a Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section Trial Attorney, and an United Nations Children’s Fund Child Protection expert.
Legislative Drafting Program to Combat Online Child Exploitation in Georgia: On September 24, an OPDAT Program Manager and the Resident Legal Advisor to Georgia, in coordination with the US Embassy in Tbilisi, Georgia, conducted a Direct Video Conference to discuss draft legislation to combat online child exploitation and regulate procedures associated with electronic evidence for Internet Service Providers in Georgia. Assisting them was a Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) Trial Attorney and a Computer Crimes and Intellectual Property Section Trial Attorney. Also participating from the United States were representatives from America On Line. In Tbilisi, joining the Resident Legal Advisor were representatives from Parliament, the largest Internet service provider in the country, and others participating in the drafting process. This program is part of a DOJ effort to assist a group of Georgian prosecutors and other Georgian government officials with a package of legislation to be presented to the Georgian Parliament for review in October. In preparation for that review, the OPDAT Program Manager and the CEOS Trial Attorney will travel to Tbilisi to take part in a week-long legislative drafting workshop on October 8.
Trafficking In Persons Program in Kyrgyzstan: On September 17-21, the OPDAT Resident Legal Advisor to Kyrgyzstan conducted a program for Kyrgyz investigators and prosecutors in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, to raise their awareness of the crime of trafficking in persons and to familiarize them with the skill set needed to successfully investigate and prosecute trafficking cases. Both he, and an Assistant US Attorney, who specializes in human trafficking cases, mentored Kyrgyz law enforcement on how to combat trafficking for labor and sexual exploitation, both domestically and internationally. The seminar also used local feature experts and Kyrgyz prosecutors who provided an overview of Kyrgyz criminal statutes that can be used to combat trafficking in persons.
US-Based Study Tour on Trafficking in Persons Victim/Witness Coordination for Romanian Delegation: From June 14 to June 28, OPDAT conducted a US-based study tour on trafficking in persons victim/witness coordination for an 11-person delegation from Romania, including victim/witness coordinators from the Romania National Anti-Trafficking Agency, a legislative specialist from the Ministry of Justice, and a representative of the magistrates from the Superior Counsel of Magistracy. The program took place in Washington, DC; New York City, New York; and San Diego, California. In DC, the delegation, met with the Chief of the Victim Witness Assistance Unit, District of Columbia, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation victim/witness coordination unit. In New York, the group visited the Victim/Witness Unit at the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, talked with officials who assist victims of sexual assaults in the hospital emergency room, and met with the Harlem Cooperative on domestic violence. In San Diego, the delegation learned how state and federal offices with proximity to the Mexican border deal with victims and witnesses that may not be US citizens.
Trafficking in Persons Program in Russia: From May 17-18, the OPDAT Resident Legal Advisor to Russia, in conjunction with the local Human Rights Ombudsperson, conducted a program in Yekaterinburg, Russia, on referral mechanisms for trafficking in persons cases. The goal was to promote collaboration between police and non-governmental organizations on investigating trafficking in persons crimes and supporting its victims. Assisting the OPDAT Resident Legal Advisor was a Victim-Witness Coordinator from the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section.
Program on Human Trafficking in Latvia: From April 23 - April 27, OPDAT conducted two programs on human trafficking for Latvian judges, prosecutors and investigators in Riga and Daugavpils, Latvia. Topics covered included investigative techniques to build a successful human trafficking case, victim/witness coordination issues, and applicable international protocols and US legislation.
Trafficking in Persons Program in Tanzania: From April 10-13, OPDAT and the International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program (ICITAP) conducted a program in Iringa, Tanzania, on how to investigate and prosecute trafficking in persons cases for prosecutors, judges and investigators from Iringa and the surrounding area. The first day focused on defining human trafficking and identifying the laws that criminalize it. The second and third days focused on the investigation and prosecution of trafficking matters, including how to interview witnesses, methods to secure evidence, raids and surveillance, victim protection, trial preparation, testimony preparation, and coordination between prosecutors and investigators.
DOJ Assistance Instrumental to Indonesian House of Representatives Passing Anti-Trafficking Bill: On March 20, the Indonesian House of Representatives passed a comprehensive bill on human trafficking that carries a 15-year prison sentence. The bill is expected to be signed into law within the next month. The new law incorporates a comprehensive definition of human trafficking based on the UN’s Palermo Protocol, including involuntary servitude, commercial sex acts, debt bondage, and abuse of position involving vulnerability. A former OPDAT Resident Legal Advisor to Indonesia and a Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) Trial Attorney and former OPDAT Intermittent Legal Advisor to Indonesia worked closely with Indonesian officials to strengthen specific articles of the bill. International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program (ICITAP) police advisors also participated in efforts to promote the passage of the legislation.
|
