Currently released so far... 97115 / 251,287
Articles
Brazil
Sri Lanka
United Kingdom
Sweden
00. Editorial
United States
Latin America
Egypt
Jordan
Yemen
Thailand
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
2011/05/01
2011/05/02
2011/05/03
2011/05/04
2011/05/05
2011/05/06
2011/05/07
2011/05/09
2011/05/10
2011/05/11
2011/05/12
2011/05/13
2011/05/14
2011/05/15
2011/05/16
2011/05/17
2011/05/18
2011/05/19
2011/05/20
2011/05/21
2011/05/22
2011/05/23
2011/05/24
2011/05/25
2011/05/26
2011/05/27
2011/05/28
2011/05/29
2011/05/30
2011/05/31
2011/06/01
2011/06/02
2011/06/03
2011/06/04
2011/06/05
2011/06/06
2011/06/07
2011/06/08
2011/06/09
2011/06/10
2011/06/11
2011/06/12
2011/06/13
2011/06/14
2011/06/15
2011/06/16
2011/06/17
2011/06/18
2011/06/19
2011/06/20
2011/06/21
2011/06/22
2011/06/23
2011/06/24
2011/06/25
2011/06/26
2011/06/27
2011/06/28
2011/06/29
2011/06/30
2011/07/01
2011/07/02
2011/07/04
2011/07/05
2011/07/06
2011/07/07
2011/07/08
2011/07/10
2011/07/11
2011/07/12
2011/07/13
2011/07/14
2011/07/15
2011/07/16
2011/07/17
2011/07/18
2011/07/19
2011/07/20
2011/07/21
2011/07/22
2011/07/23
2011/07/25
2011/07/27
2011/07/28
2011/07/29
2011/07/31
2011/08/01
2011/08/02
2011/08/03
2011/08/05
2011/08/06
2011/08/07
2011/08/08
2011/08/10
2011/08/11
2011/08/12
2011/08/13
2011/08/15
2011/08/16
2011/08/17
2011/08/19
2011/08/21
2011/08/22
2011/08/23
2011/08/24
2011/08/25
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Antananarivo
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Alexandria
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embasy Bonn
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Brazzaville
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangui
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Belfast
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Cotonou
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chiang Mai
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Chengdu
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
DIR FSINFATC
Consulate Dusseldorf
Consulate Durban
Consulate Dubai
Consulate Dhahran
Embassy Guatemala
Embassy Grenada
Embassy Georgetown
Embassy Gaborone
Consulate Guayaquil
Consulate Guangzhou
Consulate Guadalajara
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Hong Kong
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kolonia
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Krakow
Consulate Kolkata
Consulate Karachi
Consulate Kaduna
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Lusaka
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Lome
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy Libreville
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Leipzig
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Mission Geneva
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Mogadishu
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maseru
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Merida
Consulate Melbourne
Consulate Matamoros
Consulate Marseille
Embassy Nouakchott
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy Niamey
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Nuevo Laredo
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Consulate Nagoya
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Praia
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Moresby
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Podgorica
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Ponta Delgada
Consulate Peshawar
REO Mosul
REO Kirkuk
REO Hillah
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Surabaya
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sapporo
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy Tirana
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
Consulate Thessaloniki
USUN New York
USMISSION USTR GENEVA
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Mission CD Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
US Delegation FEST TWO
UNVIE
UN Rome
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vientiane
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
AF
ADANA
ASEC
AFIN
AMGT
AE
AORC
AID
AR
AO
AU
ASEAN
AGOA
AFGHANISTAN
AFFAIRS
AMED
APER
ASECARP
APEC
AEMR
AS
AA
ANET
AFLU
ABLD
AL
ASUP
AJ
APECO
AMER
ABUD
AODE
AM
AFSN
AESC
AND
AG
ALOW
AROC
AVIANFLU
ATRN
ACOA
AEGR
AMGMT
AADP
AFSI
ACABQ
APRM
AZ
AIDS
ASE
AGAO
ADCO
ABDALLAH
ARF
AIDAC
ACOTA
ASCH
AC
ASEG
AGR
ACS
AMCHAMS
AN
AMIA
ASIG
ADPM
ADB
ANARCHISTS
ALOWAR
ARM
AUC
AINF
AINT
AORG
AY
AVIAN
AMEDCASCKFLO
AK
ARSO
ARABBL
ASO
ANTITERRORISM
ARABL
AOWC
AGRICULTURE
ALJAZEERA
AMTC
AFINM
AOCR
ABER
ARR
AFPK
ASSEMBLY
ASSK
AZE
AORCYM
AINR
AGMT
AEC
ACKM
APRC
AIN
ASCC
AFPREL
ASED
APERTH
ASFC
ASECTH
AFSA
AOMS
AORCO
ANTXON
ARC
AFAF
ADIP
AIAG
AFARI
AEMED
AORL
AX
ASECAF
AOPC
ASECAFIN
AFZAL
APCS
AMB
AGUIRRE
AEMRASECCASCKFLOMARRPRELPINRAMGTJMXL
AIT
ARCH
AMEX
ALI
AQ
ATFN
AMBASSADOR
AORCD
AVIATION
ARAS
AINFCY
ACBAQ
AOPR
AREP
ALEXANDER
ATRD
AEIR
AOIC
ABLDG
ASEX
AFR
ASCE
ATRA
ASEK
AER
ALOUNI
AMCT
AVERY
APR
AMAT
AEMRS
ASPA
AFU
AMG
ATPDEA
ALL
AECL
ACAO
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
AORD
AFL
AME
ADM
ASECPHUM
AGIT
ABT
ASECVE
AGUILAR
AT
ABMC
ALZUGUREN
ANGEL
ASR
ANTONIO
BMGT
BEXP
BM
BG
BL
BA
BR
BTA
BO
BY
BBSR
BLUE
BK
BF
BTIO
BELLVIEW
BE
BU
BN
BH
BD
BC
BTC
BILAT
BT
BX
BRUSSELS
BP
BB
BRPA
BUSH
BURMA
BMENA
BESP
BIT
BBG
BGD
BMEAID
BAGHDAD
BEN
BIO
BMOT
BWC
BLUNT
BURNS
BUT
BGMT
BAIO
BCW
BOEHNER
BFIF
BOL
BASHAR
BIMSTEC
BOU
BIDEN
BZ
BFIN
BTRA
BI
BHUM
BOIKO
BERARDUCCI
BOUCHAIB
BORDER
BEXPC
BTIU
BTT
BIOS
BEXB
BGPGOV
BOND
BLR
CE
CG
CH
CVR
CASC
CU
CI
CD
CO
CDG
CB
CJAN
CPAS
COM
CVIS
CMGT
CT
CENTCOM
CNARC
CTERR
COUNTER
CHIEF
CDC
CTR
CBW
COUNTRY
CLEARANCE
CY
CA
CM
CS
CWC
CN
CITES
CF
CWG
CIVS
CFIS
CASCC
CROATIA
CONS
COUNTERTERRORISM
CASA
COE
CJ
CHR
CODEL
CR
CBC
CACS
CHERTOFF
CAS
CONTROL
CONDITIONS
CONDOLEEZZA
CITEL
CV
CLINTON
CHG
CZ
CON
CTBT
CEN
CRIMES
COMMERCE
CLOK
CRISTINA
CFED
CARC
CND
CTM
CARICOM
COUNTRYCLEARANCE
CBTH
CHINA
CSW
CICTE
CJUS
CYPRUS
CW
CAMBODIA
CENSUS
CIDA
CRIME
CBG
CBE
CMGMT
CAIO
CEC
CARSON
CPCTC
CEDAW
COMESA
CVIA
CWCM
CEA
COSI
CAPC
CGEN
COPUOS
CGOPRC
COETRD
CKGR
CFE
CQ
CITT
CIC
CARIB
CVIC
CLO
CAFTA
CVISU
CHRISTOPHER
CACM
CIAT
CDB
CIS
CUL
CHAO
CNC
CL
CSEP
COMMAND
CENTER
COL
CAN
CAJC
CUIS
CONSULAR
CLMT
CIA
CBSA
CEUDA
CAC
CROS
CIO
CPUOS
CKOR
CVPR
CONG
CONTROLS
CEPTER
CVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGKIRF
CDCE
DPOL
DEMARCHE
DHS
DR
DA
DISENGAGEMENT
DEMOCRATIC
DEFENSE
DJ
DY
DARFUR
DHRF
DEA
DTRO
DPRK
DO
DARFR
DOC
DRL
DK
DOJ
DTRA
DOMESTIC
DAC
DOD
DEAX
DIEZ
DEOC
DELTAVIOLENCE
DCOM
DMINE
DRC
DCG
DPKO
DOMESTICPOLITICS
DE
DB
DOT
DEPT
DOE
DHLAKAMA
DHSX
DS
DKEM
DAO
DCM
DANIEL
DEM
DAVID
DCRM
ETRD
EAGR
ETTC
EAID
ECON
EFIN
ECIN
EINV
ELAB
EAIR
ENRG
EPET
EWWT
ECPS
EIND
EMIN
ELTN
EC
ETMIN
EUC
EZ
ET
ELECTIONS
ENVR
EU
EUN
EG
EINT
ER
ECONOMICS
ES
EMS
ENIV
EEB
EN
ECE
ECOSOC
EK
ENVIRONMENT
EFIS
EI
EWT
ENGRD
ECPSN
EXIM
EIAD
ERIN
ECPC
EDEV
ENGY
ECTRD
EPA
ESTH
ECCT
EINVECON
ENGR
ERTD
EUR
EAP
EWWC
ELTD
EL
EXIMOPIC
EXTERNAL
ETRDEC
ESCAP
ECO
EGAD
ELNT
ECONOMIC
ENV
ETRN
EIAR
EUMEM
ENRGPARMOTRASENVKGHGPGOVECONTSPLEAID
EREL
ECOM
ECONETRDEAGRJA
ETCC
ETRG
ECONOMY
EMED
ETR
ENERG
EITC
EFINOECD
EURM
EENG
ERA
EXPORT
ENRD
ECONEINVETRDEFINELABETRDKTDBPGOVOPIC
EGEN
EBRD
EVIN
ETRAD
ECOWAS
EFTA
ECONETRDBESPAR
EGOVSY
EPIN
EID
ECONENRG
EDRC
ESENV
ETT
EB
ENER
ELTNSNAR
ECHEVARRIA
ETRC
EPIT
EDUC
ESA
EFI
ENRGY
ESCI
EE
EAIDXMXAXBXFFR
EETC
ECIP
EIAID
EIVN
EBEXP
ESTN
EING
EGOV
ETRA
EPETEIND
ELAN
ETRDGK
EAIDRW
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
EPEC
ENVI
ELN
EAG
EPCS
EPRT
EPTED
ETRB
EUM
EAIDS
EFIC
EFINECONEAIDUNGAGM
EAIDAR
ESF
EIDN
ELAM
EDU
EV
EAIDAF
ECN
EDA
EXBS
EINTECPS
ENRGTRGYETRDBEXPBTIOSZ
EPREL
EAC
EINVEFIN
ETA
EAGER
EINDIR
ECA
ECLAC
ELAP
EITI
EUCOM
ECONEFINETRDPGOVEAGRPTERKTFNKCRMEAID
EARG
ELDIN
EINVKSCA
ENNP
EFINECONCS
EFINTS
ECCP
ETC
EAIRASECCASCID
EINN
ETRP
EAIDNI
EFQ
ECOQKPKO
EGPHUM
EBUD
ECONEINVEFINPGOVIZ
ENERGY
ELB
EINDETRD
EMI
ECONEFIN
EIB
EURN
ETRDEINVTINTCS
EIN
EFIM
ETIO
ELAINE
EMN
EATO
EWTR
EIPR
EINVETC
ETTD
ETDR
EIQ
ECONCS
EPPD
ENRGIZ
EISL
ESPINOSA
ELEC
EAIG
ESLCO
EUREM
ENTG
ERD
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EEPET
EUNCH
ECINECONCS
ETRO
ETRDECONWTOCS
ECUN
EFND
EPECO
EAIRECONRP
ERGR
ETRDPGOV
ECPN
ENRGMO
EPWR
EET
EAIS
EAGRE
EDUARDO
EAGRRP
EAIDPHUMPRELUG
EICN
ECONQH
EVN
EGHG
ELBR
EINF
EAIDHO
EENV
ETEX
ERNG
ED
FR
FREEDOM
FINREF
FJ
FI
FRELIMO
FOREIGN
FAA
FETHI
FAS
FTAA
FRB
FAO
FCS
FINANCE
FWS
FTA
FEMA
FDA
FLU
FRANCISCO
FBI
FORCE
FO
FARC
FK
FT
FCSC
FAC
FM
FMGT
FINV
FCSCEG
FARM
FERNANDO
FINR
FIN
FINE
FIR
FDIC
FOR
FOI
FCUL
FKLU
FMLN
FISO
FIXED
GM
GMUS
GG
GR
GE
GAZA
GT
GH
GZ
GJ
GLOBAL
GV
GABY
GOI
GA
GCC
GB
GY
GATT
GC
GUAM
GEORGE
GTIP
GOV
GOMEZ
GUTIERREZ
GL
GKGIC
GF
GU
GWI
GARCIA
GTMO
GN
GANGS
GIPNC
GAERC
GREGG
GUILLERMO
GASPAR
GERARD
GI
HK
HR
HUMANR
HUMAN
HO
HA
HUMANRIGHTS
HU
HHS
HIV
HUM
HRKAWC
HILLEN
HILLARY
HDP
HUMRIT
HSTC
HUMANITARIAN
HCOPIL
HADLEY
HURI
HL
HRETRD
HOURANI
HG
HARRIET
HESHAM
HI
HNCHR
HARRY
HRECON
HRC
HOSTAGES
HEBRON
HUMOR
HSWG
HYMPSK
HECTOR
HN
HYDE
HUD
HRPGOV
HIGHLIGHTS
ID
ILC
IS
IZ
ICAO
IMO
ITU
IR
IAEA
ICRC
IPROP
IT
IBRD
ISRAELI
IRAQI
ISSUES
ITRA
IV
IO
IGAD
IRAQ
IN
IMF
ICTR
ISCON
IADB
IDB
IEA
INR
IWC
ICCAT
ILO
INMARSAT
IOM
ICJ
IQ
ISPA
ITRD
IPR
INTELSAT
ISN
IAHRC
INTERNAL
IFAD
IICA
IHO
IRAN
IL
IRCE
IC
INTELLECTUAL
IRM
IE
ICTY
IDLI
IFO
ISCA
INF
INL
ISRAEL
INV
IBB
INFLUENZA
ISPL
ITER
ITIA
INRA
ISAF
IACHR
INTERPOL
IFR
IRS
INRB
IEF
ISAAC
ICC
INDO
IIP
IATTC
INAUGURATION
IND
INS
IZPREL
IACI
IEFIN
INNP
ILAB
IA
IMTS
ITALY
ITALIAN
IFIN
IRAJ
IX
ICG
IF
ITPHUM
ITA
IP
IACW
IK
IUCN
IZEAID
IRPE
IDA
ISLAMISTS
ITF
INRO
IBET
IDP
IRC
ISO
ICES
IRMO
ITPGOV
IQNV
IMSO
IRDB
IMET
INCB
IFRC
JA
JO
JP
JM
JCIC
JOHN
JE
JEFFERY
JS
JUS
JN
JOHNNIE
JAMES
JKUS
JOSEPH
JML
JAWAD
JSRP
JIMENEZ
JOSE
JKJUS
JK
JAPAN
KMDR
KPAO
KPKO
KJUS
KCRM
KGHG
KFRD
KWMN
KDEM
KTFN
KHIV
KGIC
KIDE
KSCA
KNNP
KHUM
KIPR
KSUM
KISL
KIRF
KCOR
KRCM
KPAL
KWBG
KN
KS
KOMC
KSEP
KFLU
KPWR
KTIA
KSEO
KMPI
KHLS
KICC
KSTH
KMCA
KVPR
KPRM
KE
KU
KZ
KFLO
KSAF
KTIP
KTEX
KBCT
KOCI
KOLY
KOR
KAWC
KACT
KUNR
KTDB
KSTC
KLIG
KSKN
KNN
KCFE
KCIP
KGHA
KHDP
KPOW
KUNC
KDRL
KV
KPREL
KCRS
KPOL
KRVC
KRIM
KGIT
KWIR
KT
KIRC
KOMO
KRFD
KUWAIT
KG
KFIN
KSCI
KTFIN
KFTN
KGOV
KPRV
KSAC
KGIV
KCRIM
KPIR
KSOC
KBIO
KW
KGLB
KMWN
KPO
KFSC
KSEAO
KSTCPL
KSI
KPRP
KREC
KFPC
KUNH
KCSA
KMRS
KNDP
KR
KICCPUR
KPPAO
KCSY
KTBT
KCIS
KNEP
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KNNB
KGCC
KINR
KPOP
KMFO
KENV
KNAR
KVIR
KDRG
KDMR
KFCE
KNAO
KDEN
KGCN
KICA
KIMMITT
KMCC
KLFU
KMSG
KSEC
KUM
KCUL
KMNP
KSMT
KCOM
KOMCSG
KSPR
KPMI
KRAD
KIND
KCRP
KAUST
KWAWC
KTER
KCHG
KRDP
KPAS
KITA
KTSC
KPAOPREL
KWGB
KIRP
KJUST
KMIG
KLAB
KTFR
KSEI
KSTT
KAPO
KSTS
KLSO
KWNN
KPOA
KHSA
KNPP
KPAONZ
KBTS
KWWW
KY
KJRE
KPAOKMDRKE
KCRCM
KSCS
KWMNCI
KESO
KWUN
KPLS
KIIP
KEDEM
KPAOY
KRIF
KGICKS
KREF
KTRD
KFRDSOCIRO
KTAO
KJU
KWMNPHUMPRELKPAOZW
KEN
KO
KNEI
KEMR
KKIV
KEAI
KWAC
KRCIM
KWCI
KFIU
KWIC
KCORR
KOMS
KNNO
KPAI
KBWG
KTTB
KTBD
KTIALG
KILS
KFEM
KTDM
KESS
KNUC
KPA
KOMCCO
KCEM
KRCS
KWBGSY
KNPPIS
KNNPMNUC
KWN
KERG
KLTN
KALM
KCCP
KSUMPHUM
KREL
KGH
KLIP
KTLA
KAWK
KWMM
KVRP
KVRC
KAID
KSLG
KDEMK
KX
KIF
KNPR
KCFC
KFTFN
KTFM
KPDD
KCERS
KMOC
KDEMAF
KMEPI
KEMS
KDRM
KEPREL
KBTR
KEDU
KNP
KIRL
KNNR
KMPT
KISLPINR
KTPN
KA
KJUSTH
KPIN
KDEV
KTDD
KAKA
KFRP
KWNM
KTSD
KINL
KJUSKUNR
KWWMN
KECF
KWBC
KPRO
KVBL
KOM
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KEDM
KFLD
KLPM
KRGY
KNNF
KICR
KIFR
KM
KWMNCS
KAWS
KLAP
KPAK
KDDG
KCGC
KID
KNSD
KMPF
KPFO
KDP
KCMR
KRMS
KNPT
KNNNP
KTIAPARM
KDTB
KNUP
KPGOV
KNAP
KNNC
KUK
KSRE
KREISLER
KIVP
KQ
KTIAEUN
KPALAOIS
KRM
KISLAO
KWM
KFLOA
LE
LU
LH
LA
LG
LO
LY
LANTERN
LI
LABOR
LORAN
LTTE
LT
LAS
LAB
LAW
LVPR
LARREA
LEBIK
LAURA
LS
LOTT
LOVE
LR
LEON
LAVIN
LGAT
LV
LAOS
LOG
LN
LB
MOPS
MO
MARR
ML
MASS
MZ
MR
MNUC
MX
MV
MCC
MY
MEDIA
MTCRE
MG
MCAP
MOPPS
MP
MI
MK
MC
MD
MA
MU
MASC
MW
MT
MEPP
MN
MTCR
MH
MEPI
MIL
MNUCPTEREZ
MMAR
MICHAEL
MUNC
MDC
MPOS
MONUC
MAR
MGMT
MAS
MEPN
MENDIETA
MARIA
MONTENEGRO
MOOPS
MSG
MARITIME
MURRAY
MUKASEY
MOTO
MCA
MFO
MEX
MRSEC
MMED
MACP
MAAR
MINUSTAH
MCCONNELL
MAPP
MGT
MARQUEZ
MANUEL
MNUR
MCCAIN
MF
MOHAMMAD
MOHAMED
MNU
MFA
MILITANTS
MINORITIES
MTS
MLS
MILI
MIAH
MEETINGS
MERCOSUR
MED
MARAD
MNVC
MINURSO
MNUCUN
MIK
MARK
MBM
MPP
MILITARY
MAPS
MNUK
MILA
MTRRE
MACEDONIA
MICHEL
MASSMNUC
MUCN
MQADHAFI
MPS
MARRGH
MRCRE
MTRE
MORALES
MAP
MCTRE
MHUC
MOPSGRPARM
MOROCCO
MCAPS
NL
NU
NS
NI
NPT
NATO
NO
NG
NATEU
NSF
NZ
NAS
NP
NDP
NLD
NGO
NEPAD
NAFTA
NASA
NEA
NGUYEN
NIH
NK
NIPP
NONE
NR
NANCY
NEGROPONTE
NRR
NERG
NSSP
NSG
NSFO
NE
NATSIOS
NFSO
NATIONAL
NTDB
NT
NCD
NTSB
NRC
NELSON
NAM
NH
NPG
NEC
NSC
NFATC
NMFS
NATOIRAQ
NAR
NZUS
NARC
NCCC
NA
NC
NEW
NRG
NUIN
NOVO
NATOPREL
NEY
NV
NICHOLAS
NPA
NW
NARCOTICS
NORAD
NOAA
NON
NTTC
NKNNP
NMNUC
NUMBERING
ODIP
OIIP
OPRC
OSCE
OREP
OTRA
OPET
OSCI
OVIP
OECD
OCII
OUALI
OPDC
OEXC
OFPD
OPIC
OFDP
OPCW
OECV
OAS
OM
OMIG
ODAG
OPREP
ORA
OIC
OEXCSCULKPAO
OIG
OASS
OFFICIALS
ORTA
OSAC
OIL
OIE
OEXP
OPEC
OPDAT
OMS
OES
OHI
OMAR
OCRA
OFSO
OCBD
OSTA
OAO
ONA
OTP
ORC
OAU
OXEC
OA
ODPC
OPDP
OVIPPRELUNGANU
OASC
OSHA
OPCD
OTR
OPPI
OPCR
OF
OFDPQIS
OSIC
OHUM
OSTRA
OASCC
OBSP
OFDA
OPICEAGR
OIM
OGAC
OTA
OTRAORP
OPPC
OESC
OCEA
OVP
ON
OPAD
OTAR
OCS
ODC
OTRD
OCED
OSD
ORUE
OREG
PHUM
PINR
PTER
PGOV
PREL
PREF
PL
PM
PHSA
PE
PARM
PINS
PK
PUNE
PO
PALESTINIAN
PU
PBTS
PROP
PTBS
POL
POLI
PA
PGOVZI
POLMIL
POLITICAL
PARTIES
POLM
PD
POLITICS
POLICY
PAS
PMIL
PINT
PNAT
PV
PKO
PPOL
PERSONS
PING
PBIO
PH
PETR
PARMS
PRES
PCON
PETERS
PRELBR
PT
PLAB
PP
PAK
PDEM
PKPA
PSOCI
PF
PLO
PTERM
PJUS
PSOE
PELOSI
PROPERTY
PGOVPREL
PARP
PRL
PNIR
PHUMKPAL
PG
PREZ
PGIC
PBOV
PAO
PKK
PROV
PHSAK
PHUMPREL
PROTECTION
PGOVBL
PSI
PRELPK
PGOVENRG
PUM
PRELKPKO
PATTY
PSOC
PRIVATIZATION
PRELSP
PGOVEAIDUKNOSWGMHUCANLLHFRSPITNZ
PMIG
PREC
PAIGH
PROG
PSHA
PARK
PETER
POG
PHUS
PPREL
PS
PTERPREL
PRELPGOV
POV
PKPO
PGOVECON
POUS
PGOVPRELPHUMPREFSMIGELABEAIDKCRMKWMN
PWBG
PMAR
PREM
PAR
PNR
PRELPGOVEAIDECONEINVBEXPSCULOIIPBTIO
PARMIR
PGOVGM
PHUH
PARTM
PN
PRE
PTE
PY
POLUN
PPEL
PDOV
PGOVSOCI
PIRF
PGOVPM
PBST
PRELEVU
PGOR
PBTSRU
PRM
PRELKPAOIZ
PGVO
PERL
PGOC
PAGR
PMIN
PHUMR
PVIP
PPD
PGV
PRAM
PINL
PKPAL
PTERE
PGOF
PINO
PHAS
PODC
PRHUM
PHUMA
PREO
PPA
PEPFAR
PGO
PRGOV
PAC
PRESL
PORG
PKFK
PEPR
PRELP
PREFA
PNG
PGOVPHUMKPAO
PRELECON
PINOCHET
PFOR
PGOVLO
PHUMBA
PRELC
PREK
PHUME
PHJM
POLINT
PGOVPZ
PGOVKCRM
PGOVE
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PECON
PEACE
PROCESS
PLN
PRELSW
PAHO
PEDRO
PRELA
PASS
PPAO
PGPV
PNUM
PCUL
PGGV
PSA
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PGIV
PRFE
POGOV
PEL
PBT
PAMQ
PINF
PSEPC
POSTS
PHUMPGOV
PVOV
PHSAPREL
PROLIFERATION
PENA
PRELTBIOBA
PIN
PRELL
PGOVPTER
PHAM
PHYTRP
PTEL
PTERPGOV
PHARM
PROTESTS
PRELAF
PKBL
PRELKPAO
PKNP
PARMP
PHUML
PFOV
PERM
PUOS
PRELGOV
PHUMPTER
PARAGRAPH
PERURENA
PBTSEWWT
PCI
PETROL
PINSO
PINSCE
PQL
PEREZ
PBS
RS
REFUGEES
RW
RP
RELFREE
RO
REGIONAL
RIGHTS
REACTION
REPORT
RU
RENAMO
RIGHTSPOLMIL
REFORM
RM
REFUGEE
REL
RELATIONS
ROW
RREL
REGION
RATIFICATION
RBI
RICE
ROOD
RODENAS
RUIZ
RODHAM
ROBERT
RGY
ROY
REUBEN
RELIGIOUS
RUEHZO
RODRIGUEZ
RUEUN
RELAM
RSP
RF
RSO
RCMP
REO
ROSS
RPTS
RENE
REID
RUPREL
RMA
RI
REMON
RPEL
RFE
RFIN
RA
RAFAEL
RAY
RUS
RPREL
ROBERTG
RECIN
RAMONTEIJELO
SNAR
SP
SN
SMIG
SL
SOCI
SU
SG
SF
SENV
SZ
SOE
SCUL
SY
SO
SR
SYR
SE
SA
SW
SIPDIS
SCIENCE
SADC
SI
SCI
SOCIETY
SC
SAARC
STR
SECRETARY
SANC
SSH
ST
SNA
SGWI
SEP
SOCIS
SETTLEMENTS
SPECIALIST
SK
SHUM
START
STET
SCVL
SREF
SCHUL
SCUIL
SYRIA
SECURITY
SPCE
SYAI
SMIL
SOWGC
STEPHEN
SNRV
SKCA
SENSITIVE
SECI
SNAP
SPP
SCUD
SOM
SPECI
SMIGBG
SENC
SCRM
SGNV
SECTOR
SENVEAGREAIDTBIOECONSOCIXR
SENVSXE
SASIAIN
SACU
SENVSPL
SWMN
STEINBERG
SOPN
SOCR
SCOI
SCRS
SILVASANDE
SWE
SARS
SNARIZ
SUDAN
SENVQGR
SM
SNARKTFN
SAAD
SD
SAN
SIPRNET
STATE
SENS
SUBJECT
SFNV
SECSTATE
SSA
SPCVIS
SOI
SOFA
SCULKPAOECONTU
SPTER
SKSAF
SENVKGHG
SHI
SEVN
SANR
SPSTATE
SMITH
SCOM
SH
SNARCS
SNARN
SIPRS
SNARM
SIPDI
SCPR
SNIG
SELAB
SULLIVAN
SENVENV
SECDEF
SOLIC
SOIC
SPAS
SASC
SOSI
SEC
SEN
SENVCASCEAIDID
TU
TH
TW
TSPA
TRGY
TPHY
TBIO
TIFA
TS
TZ
TX
TSPL
TT
TK
TC
TINT
TERFIN
TERRORISM
TIP
TURKEY
TI
TECHNOLOGY
TNGD
TRSY
TRAFFICKING
TOPEC
TPSL
TP
TD
TR
TA
TIO
TREATY
TO
THPY
TECH
TRADE
TPSA
TG
TAGS
TF
TRAD
THKSJA
TVBIO
TNDG
TN
TBIOZK
TWI
TV
TWL
TRT
TWRO
TSRY
TTPGOV
TAUSCHER
TRBY
TRBIO
TL
TPKO
TIA
TGRY
TSPAM
TREL
TNAR
TBI
TFIN
TPHYPA
TWCH
THOMMA
THOMAS
TERROR
TRY
TBID
TPP
TE
THANH
TJ
TBKIO
UNGA
USUN
UN
UG
UNSC
UK
UP
US
UNCTAD
UNVIE
UNHRC
USTR
UNAMA
UNCRIME
UNESCO
UV
UNDP
UNHCR
UNCSD
UNCHR
UZ
USAID
UNEP
UNO
UNPUOS
UY
UNDC
UNCITRAL
UNAUS
UNCND
UA
UNMIK
USTDA
USEU
USDA
UNICEF
UR
UNFICYP
USNC
USTRRP
UNODC
UNRWA
UNOMIG
USTRPS
USAU
USCC
UNEF
UNGAPL
UNFPA
UNSCE
USSC
UGA
UEU
UNMIC
UNTAC
UNION
UNCLASSIFIED
USPS
UNA
UMIK
USOAS
UNMOVIC
UNFA
UNAIDS
UNCHC
USGS
UNSE
UNRCR
UNTERR
USG
UE
UAE
UNWRA
UNCSW
UNSCR
UNCHS
UNDESCO
UNPAR
UNC
UB
UNSCS
UKXG
UNGACG
UNREST
UNHR
USPTO
UNFCYP
USCG
UNIDROIT
UNSCD
UPU
UNBRO
UNECE
USTRUWR
UNCC
UNESCOSCULPRELPHUMKPALCUIRXFVEKV
VM
VE
VT
VETTING
VN
VZ
VIS
VC
VTPREL
VIP
VTEAID
VTEG
VOA
VA
VTIZ
VANG
VISIT
VO
VENZ
VAT
VI
VEPREL
VEN
WFP
WTO
WHO
WTRO
WBG
WMO
WIPO
WA
WI
WSIS
WHA
WCL
WE
WMN
WEBZ
WS
WAR
WZ
WMD
WW
WILLIAM
WEET
WAEMU
WM
WWBG
WWT
WWARD
WITH
WMDT
WTRQ
WCO
WEU
WALTER
WRTO
WB
WHTI
WBEG
WCI
WEF
WAKI
WHOA
WGC
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 07FREETOWN165, SEVENTH ANNUAL TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS (TIP) REPORT
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #07FREETOWN165.
| Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07FREETOWN165 | 2007-03-08 17:41 | 2011-08-25 00:00 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy Freetown |
VZCZCXRO0945
PP RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHFN #0165/01 0681200
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 081741Z MAR 07 ZDS
FM AMEMBASSY FREETOWN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0863
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEHAB/AMEMBASSY ABIDJAN 0458
RUEHUJA/AMEMBASSY ABUJA 0153
RUEHJL/AMEMBASSY BANJUL 0132
RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT 0043
RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN 0038
RUEHBS/AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS 0297
RUEHRY/AMEMBASSY CONAKRY 1460
RUEHDL/AMEMBASSY DUBLIN 0013
RUEHMD/AMEMBASSY MADRID 0023
RUEHMV/AMEMBASSY MONROVIA 0614
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0182
RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME 0194
RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV 0017
RUEHVI/AMEMBASSY VIENNA 0021
RUEHC/DEPT OF LABOR WASHDC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
RHEFHLC/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHDC
RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 10 FREETOWN 000165
SIPDIS
C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (ADDING SENSITIVE CAPTION)
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR G/TIP (VERONICA ZEITLIN), G, INL, DRL, PRM, AF/W,
USAID
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KCRM PHUM KWMN SMIG KFRD ASEC PREF ELAB SL
SUBJECT: SEVENTH ANNUAL TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS (TIP) REPORT
FOR SIERRA LEONE
REF: 2006 STATE 202745
FREETOWN 00000165 001.2 OF 010
¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Sierra Leone continues to make progress as
it recovers from a devastating decade-long civil war that
destroyed much of the country's infrastructure. In a little
over a year, the level of awareness of trafficking in persons
has risen considerably. However, trafficking remains a
serious concern, and despite considerable sensitization on
this topic, a large percentage of the population remains
vulnerable to trafficking. Lack of resources continues to
inhibit the Government's ability to accurately assess the
magnitude of the problem, provide victims services, and train
law enforcement officials.
Sierra Leone's trafficking problem generally appears to be
internal. However, Sierra Leone is also a source country for
international trafficking, and there is evidence that Sierra
Leone is a country of transit and destination.
Following the passage of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act
in August 2005, a task force was formed that has met
regularly to develop a three-year Action Plan on TIP, which
it completed in November 2006. The Plan calls for
establishing a Tip Task Force Secretariat that will
facilitate research, create an inventory of resources and
services, and establish linkages between TIP stakeholders to
increase Government and civil society's capacity to monitor,
combat, prosecute, and convict violators. END SUMMARY.
¶2. (SBU) Responses below are keyed to questions in reftel.
Sources include: Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and
Children's Affairs (MOSWGCA); Ministry of Labor; Department
of Immigration; Sierra Leone Police; the Director of Public
Prosecutions; UNICEF; FAITH Consortium; Attorney General's
Office; Office of National Security; IOM,. Approximately 80
hours were spent preparing this report by FSO (FP-03) and
approximately ten hours by FSN assistant (FSN-10). The
Ambassador (FA-MC) spent approximately two hours on the
report and the DCM (FO-01) spent approximately three hours.
¶3. (U) Embassy POC for TIP issues is Martin Dale,
Political/Economic Officer. Tel: 232-22-515-000 x5120, Fax:
232-22-515-355, E-mail: DaleMA@state.gov.
¶4. (SBU) Begin TIP report:
--------
OVERVIEW
--------
¶A. In Western Africa, Sierra Leone is slowly emerging as a
relatively stable post-conflict success story. Nonetheless,
there remain considerable problems, mostly the result of the
devastation inflicted during Sierra Leone's 11-year civil
war. Sierra Leone continues to suffer from a dysfunctional
infrastructure, endemic corruption, continuing human rights
problems, and poor governance. As a result, much of the
population remains vulnerable to trafficking. A 2005
UNICEF-funded trafficking assessment of Sierra Leone
highlighted this fact: "war results in an amplification of
factors that contribute to and cause trafficking, including
poverty, social vulnerability, decimated government
infrastructure and services, impunity, corruption, and social
dislocation (refugees and IDPs)."
CHILDREN AND WOMEN ARE VULNERABLE TARGETS
-----------------------------------------
Children and youth, defined as 15 - 35 years in age,
constitute approximately two-thirds of the country's
FREETOWN 00000165 002.2 OF 010
population of 5 million, and only 61 percent of children aged
0-16 live with their parents. Traumatic experiences during
the war, shattered extended family and social structures, and
extreme poverty make it much more difficult to protect
children.
The Constitution and national laws afford little protection
for women and children. Many of the country's laws concerning
marriage and inheritance are discriminatory, and abuse of
women, particularly domestic and sexual assault, is frequent.
However, there is pending legislation before Parliament,
including a Child Rights Bill to bring Sierra Leone laws in
line with the Convention on the Rights of Children and three
draft bills ) Domestic Violence, Registration of Customary
Marriages and Divorce, and Devolution of Estates - that will
address many of the current deficiencies in the law.
POVERTY IS A DRIVING FORCE
--------------------------
Migration in Sierra Leone is a common social norm driven by
the dire economic situation in the country. To illustrate,
Sierra Leone ranks second to last out of 177 countries on the
Human Development Index. Within this context, trafficking is
more difficult to identify and combat. For example, child
fostering - that is, children placed with wealthier relatives
- is commonplace in the country. Although many children
benefit from such arrangements and receive education and
assistance otherwise not available, it is a system that is
vulnerable to abuse and can lead to trafficking.
-------------------------
PREVALENCE OF TRAFFICKING
-------------------------
¶B. Sierra Leone's trafficking problem generally appears to be
internal. Sierra Leone is also a source country for
international trafficking, and there is evidence that Sierra
Leone is a country of transit and destination. Lack of
resources continues to hinder the Government's ability to
accurately assess the magnitude of the problem. However,
widespread sensitization programs by the Government, media
and civil society have significantly increased the public's
awareness of trafficking and the negative impact it has on
society. Sensitization has also led to increased reporting of
trafficking cases by the public.
LAW ENFORCEMENT SLOWLY BUILDING CAPACITY
----------------------------------------
Law enforcement agencies, including the Sierra Leone Police
(SLP), Immigration, and Office of National Security (ONS),
are slowly gaining a better understanding of trafficking and
what is driving it. The SLP has conducted a number of
investigations and continues to build its capacity to combat
trafficking. Between January 2006 and February 2007, the SLP
investigated 12 reported cases of trafficking. Three of the
cases were referred to the Director of the Public Prosecutor
for legal advice, one case is still under police
investigation, in seven cases the accused were charged with
trafficking and are in court, and there was one conviction.
Despite these minor advances, there remain poor coordination
and information sharing between the ministries responsible
for trafficking issues and the SLP. There are also
communication and logistical challenges between police
headquarters and police ranks in the provinces. The SLP also
remains woefully under-funded. Often, traffickers go
unpunished because they are either not reported or not
arrested.
FREETOWN 00000165 003.2 OF 010
There are no government service providers that specifically
target trafficking victims. However, civil society has begun
to fill this void. In February 2007, the International Office
for Migration (IOM), with funding from PRM, opened the first
trafficking victims, shelter in the country. The facility
will accommodate 22 victims and provide reintegration
services including counseling and education for one month
before returning victims to their families. IOM is
coordinating its victims, assistance activities with the TIP
Task Force.
As part of the recently approved TIP 2007 Action Plan, the
TIP Task Force will create a TIP Task Force Secretariat that
will monitor all TIP-related activities and serve as the
clearinghouse for all TIP stakeholders.
Monitoring of trafficking cases remains poor due to limited
resources. The Sierra Leone Police (SLP) Family Support Unit
(FSU) maintains a database for a number of offenses,
including rape, abduction, and child stealing. The FSU has
added fields for trafficking (domestic and international, for
both labor and sexual servitude) starting in 2006; however,
statistics are not reliable, and sensitization of this issue
must continue to promote a greater understanding nationwide
of trafficking and its indications.
Following the passage of the Anti-Trafficking Act in 2005,
Government and non-government organizations have actively
participated in the TIP Task Force and are placing a greater
emphasis on trafficking. However, there still remains some
confusion about what constitutes trafficking as reported
cases often turn out to be human smuggling cases. Just like
sexual assault and domestic violence, however, reports of
trafficking are increasing from year to year, and the
Government's ability to identify and properly respond to
trafficking cases is increasing correspondingly.
All sources on trafficking state that children appear to be
more at risk of being trafficked than adults. However, it is
possible that there is a greater willingness of Sierra
Leoneans to report crimes against children vice adults.
Although there are no accurate statistics to quantify the
extent of the problem, all indications are that women and
children continued to be trafficked from the provinces to
towns and diamond mining areas for prostitution and children
are trafficked from rural areas into the city and mining
areas for forced labor, including domestic work, petty
trading, begging, and petty crime. Trafficking may also occur
in the fishing and agriculture industries as well as in
connection with customary practices such as forced and
arranged marriages and ritual sacrifice. Former child
soldiers, some of whom remain with their former commanders,
are at risk of being recruited in other regional conflicts.
Persons have been trafficked out of Sierra Leone to
destinations in West Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. In
2006, France and Spain identified victims of trafficking from
Sierra Leone. Other Sierra Leonean trafficking victims have
been reported in Germany, Lebanon, Liberia, Guinea, Ivory
Coast, Nigeria, Guinea Bissau, and the Gambia. Other
suspected destination countries include Austria, Belgium,
Ireland, Italy, and Israel, mostly because Sierra Leonean
unaccompanied minors and/or illegal immigrants were
identified there.
There is evidence showing that Sierra Leone is a transit
country for trafficking. The SLP reported that it uncovered a
trafficking ring involving an Indian business man in Sierra
FREETOWN 00000165 004.2 OF 010
Leone who was trafficking Indian nationals from Nigeria
through Sierra to Guinea. The SLP said that it had stopped
over 100 Indian nationals and arrested 17. (COMMENT: Due to
the sensitivity of this ongoing investigation, Post requests
that this information not be included in the report. We
provided this information as evidence that Sierra Leone is a
transit point and to show that the SLP takes the issue
seriously and is making inroads against criminal
organizations. END COMMENT) Sierra Leone's inability to
monitor its borders, coupled with the ease with which
fraudulent identification documents can be obtained, make the
country a potential transit point.
There have been no documented incidents of Sierra Leone as a
destination country for trafficking; however, foreign
national sex workers and refugees living in Sierra Leone may
be victims of trafficking. Also, ethnic links with other
countries (e.g., Guinea, Lebanon, China) provide an
opportunity for Sierra Leone to be used as a destination
country.
Relatives or family friends reportedly traffic children to
Freetown with false promises to parents that the children
will be sent to school. These friends and relatives put
children to work for in the home, where they can also be
sexually exploited, or placed on the street to engage in
petty trading or prostitution. Sometimes children remain on
the street, because they are afraid to return to their
relative's house where they are often punished and beaten.
There is no law against prostitution, and it is widespread in
Sierra Leone. Many women and girls enter the commercial sex
industry independently, often due to economic pressures, and
are not trafficked; however, there continue to be allegations
that female pimps (kaklat) or relatives recruited girls for
prostitution directly from villages. Some women who engage in
prostitution may be doing so "voluntarily" to escape from
other trafficking situations, such as early marriage or
domestic servitude.
¶C. Sierra Leone continues to recover from an 11-year civil
war during which the country was a failed state. Sierra Leone
has occupied the bottom ranks of the UN Human Development
Index since 1998. There is an overwhelming lack of capacity
in the Government, and many competing critical needs. The
Government is effectively bankrupt, with donors providing 60
percent of the country's budget. Corruption is entrenched.
The police, judiciary, and social welfare institutions are
critically understaffed, have very limited budgets, and have
trouble meeting their basic mandates. Knowledge of TIP is
gradually increasing at the government level, however,
finding resources and building capacity to deal with the
problem will remain a serious impediment well into the future.
There is political will from the highest levels of government
to combat trafficking in persons, but progress is hampered by
lack of resources and education on the issue, even among the
political elite. The SLP and Ministry of Social Welfare
(MOSW) lack sufficient funding to carry out even their basic
mandates. For example, there is no government mechanism in
place to train or inform police on new criminal legislation,
so NGOs have been the driving force behind raising the SLP's
awareness of the new Anti-Trafficking Act. According to the
2007 National Action Plan, GTIP funding to UNICEF will pay
for training of 200 GOSL officials, including judges, public
prosecutors, police, immigration and customs officers, and
border guards. No government victim services exist, and
neither the FSU nor the MOSW have shelter facilities.
FREETOWN 00000165 005.2 OF 010
¶D. The TIP Task Force, as mandated by the Anti-Trafficking
Act passed in 2005, is designated to systematically monitor
anti-trafficking efforts (prosecution, prevention, victim
protection) The TIP Task Force, of which PolOff is a member,
meets the second and fourth week of each month. Member
organizations are the Ministries of Social Welfare;
Education, Science and Technology; Youth and Sport; Labor;
Information; Local Government; Health; Foreign Affairs;
Justice; Internal Affairs; Culture and Tourism; SLP; and
Immigration. Other members include the U.S. Embassy, Search
for Common Ground/Talking Drums Studio, The Women's Forum,
the Ombudsman; The National Forum for Human Rights, the FAITH
project of World Relief, UNICEF, and IOM. Member
organizations have begun reporting TIP cases brought to their
attention. However, coordination remains poor between law
enforcement agencies, ministries and civil society members,
and there is no mechanism in place to give assessments of
anti-trafficking efforts. Information is not made public,
however, the Government does make trafficking-related
information available to international organizations and
others on request.
----------
PREVENTION
----------
¶A. The Government acknowledges that trafficking is a problem
in the country.
President Kabbah signed the Anti Trafficking in Persons Act
in August 2005. The Minister of Social Welfare, Gender and
Children's Affairs and the Attorney General convened the
first Inter-Ministerial Committee on Trafficking in February
¶2006.
The TIP Task Force meets regularly to discuss
anti-trafficking activities and cases.
¶B. The Ministry of Social Welfare and Sierra Leone Police
(SLP) take the lead in anti-trafficking efforts in Sierra
Leone, and the Ministry of Justice co-chairs the
Inter-Ministerial Committee on Trafficking and the TIP Task
Force with MOSW. The Inter-Ministerial Committee also
includes the Ministries of Education, Internal Affairs,
Information, Labor, Health, Foreign Affairs, Local
Government, Youth, and Tourism. The TIP Task Force includes
representatives from all ministries in the Inter-Ministerial
Committee as well as the Principal Immigration Officer, the
Commissioner of Police in charge of Crime Services, the
Ombudsman, and representatives from NGOs.
¶C. Government officials, particularly from the police and
Parliament, have been vocal public advocates of increasing
trafficking awareness. The SLP periodically uses allotted
radio slots to discuss the dangers of trafficking, and a
radio interview with a representative of the Parliamentary
Human Rights Committee has been periodically rebroadcast.
Government officials from the SLP and MOSW frequently attend
NGO-sponsored awareness raising sessions throughout the
country. Such sessions focus on warning potential trafficking
victims and their families about the dangers of migration to
urban areas or out of the country without full information.
¶D. The Government supports other programs to prevent
trafficking and has focused largely on education, which is in
line with its Poverty Reduction Strategic Plan (PRSP). In
July, the Minister of Social Welfare, Gender and Children's
Affairs (MOSWGC) attended the Abuja Inter-Ministerial
Conference where 24 West and Central African countries,
FREETOWN 00000165 006.2 OF 010
including Sierra Leone, adopted and signed a joint Economic
Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and Economic
Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Plan of Action and
Multilateral Cooperation Agreement on combating TIP. In
August, the MOSWGC held a two-day training workshop conducted
by the Regional Advisor of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons
Unit of ECOWAS Welfare
In September, the Government also supported the launch of a
project entitled, &Raising Awareness about Trafficking in
Persons to Reduce Its Prevalence.8 Funded by TIP money,
Pampana Communications, a community theatre group, premiered
a play titled, &Mortal Man Nor To For Sell8 (A Human Being
is not for Sale) to raise national awareness about the
dangers of human trafficking.
The Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children's Affairs
periodically travels upcountry to educate women on
trafficking, women's empowerment, and sustainable development.
There are a number of committees and commissions established
to deal with the wide spectrum of serious human rights abuses
that occurred as a result of the country's 11-year civil war
whose activities could play a role in the fight against
trafficking. These bodies include the Coordinating Committee
for the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, the
Sexual Violence Committee, Child Welfare Committee, National
Commission on Child Labor, and the National Commission for
War Affected Children. In December 2006, the Government
appointed the Human Rights Commission, which will be
responsible for monitoring the implementation of Sierra
Leone's Truth and Reconciliation (TRC) recommendations.
However, most of these bodies are generally marginalized due
to inadequate resources.
¶F. Coordination between the Government, NGOs, and
international organizations on trafficking issues has
increased significantly through the TIP Task Force. The
relationship between Government officials and civil society
members is very positive and has produced tangible results,
such as the 2007 TIP Action Plan. However, there is much room
for improvement. Improved coordination will make the TIP Task
Force more effective.
¶G. See paragraph F.
¶H. The TIP Task Force, as mandated by the Anti-Human
Trafficking Act of 2005, has been in operation since February
2006 and meets regularly. Chaired by representatives from the
Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Social Welfare, the Task
Force has developed a comprehensive three-year National
Action Plan on TIP (2008-2010). The Plan calls for the
formation of a TIP Task Force Secretariat that will
coordinate all anti-trafficking activities in Sierra Leone.
Components of the plan include research, assessment,
prevention, protection, prosecution, and monitoring and
evaluation. The Plan is funded by a combination of sources;
the Government, the $100,000 GTIP grant to UNICEF, and PRM's
$500,000 grant to IOM.
--------------------------------------------
Investigation and Prosecution of Traffickers
--------------------------------------------
¶A. President Kabbah signed the Anti-Human Trafficking Act in
August 2005. The law prohibits trafficking for labor, sexual
exploitation, illicit removal of human organs, and
exploitation during armed conflicts. The law covers both
internal and external trafficking and is consistent with the
FREETOWN 00000165 007.2 OF 010
Palermo Protocol.
¶B. Convicted traffickers face up to ten years of
imprisonment, fines of 50 million leones (approximately
$17,000), and victim restitution costs.
¶C. Penalties are the same for trafficking for labor and
sexual exploitation.
¶D. Under the Offenses Against the Person Act of 1861, rape of
a person over the age of 16 carries a potential penalty of
life imprisonment, which is more severe than the penalty for
sex trafficking.
¶E. No law specifically prohibits prostitution, but there are
laws against operating brothels and procuring a female by
threats or coercion for the purpose of prostitution.
Government officials have become more vigilant in closing
down brothels. Prostitutes are sometimes arrested for other
crimes, including loitering.
¶F. The SLP has conducted a number of investigations and
continues to build its capacity to combat trafficking.
Between January 2006 and February 2007, the SLP investigated
12 reported cases of trafficking. Three of the cases were
referred to the Director of the Public Prosecutor for legal
advice, one case is still under police investigation, in
seven cases the accused were charged with trafficking and are
in court, and there was one conviction.
¶G. There are networks in Sierra Leone for adoption fraud, and
some evidence of possible trafficking networks. Many
traffickers are relatives of the victims, and victims
initially leave with the consent of family. There is no
evidence that profits from trafficking were channeled to
armed or terrorists, judges or banks.
¶H. The Government actively investigates trafficking and uses
undercover operations to assist in investigations.
¶I. The Government has not provided any specialized training
for government officials in trafficking, but government
officials are encouraged to attend NGO-facilitated
trafficking training. The TIP Action Plan calls for the
training of 200 GOSL officials, including judges, public
prosecutors, police, immigration and customs officers, and
border guards.
¶J. There are no current cooperative international
investigations of trafficking, but the Government has sought
cooperation with other governments to pursue past trafficking
investigations.
¶K. The Extradition Act of 1974 allows for extradition of
persons subject to crimes committed and the country of the
offense, but there have been no requests to extradite a
suspect for trafficking. The Extradition Act allows for the
extradition of Sierra Leone nationals to other countries for
trial.
¶L. There are no known instances of GOSL authorities
facilitating or condoning trafficking; however, prevalent
social attitudes and lack of government capacity and
awareness of trafficking mean that barriers to internal
trafficking are low. Low-level government officials who forge
documents such as birth, marriage, and death certificates
rarely suffer punishment, but there is no proof that these
forged documents are used to facilitate trafficking.
FREETOWN 00000165 008.2 OF 010
¶M. Not applicable. See paragraph K above.
¶N. Sierra Leone has not been identified as having a child sex
tourism problem. The 1974 Extradition Act provides for the
extradition of suspects for sexual offenses.
¶O. Sierra Leone has signed and ratified ILO Convention 29 and
105 on forced or compulsory labor and the Optional Protocol
to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of
children, child prostitution and child pornography.
Sierra Leone signed The Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and
Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children,
supplementing the UN Convention Against Transnational
Organized Crime in November 2001. The Parliament has not yet
ratified it.
Sierra Leone signed ILO Convention 182 concerning the
prohibition and immediate action for the elimination of the
worst forms of child labor in June 1999. The Parliament has
not yet ratified it.
------------------------------------
PROTECTION AND ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS
------------------------------------
¶A. The Government's own capacity to care for victims of any
kind is extremely limited and there are no government
shelters for trafficking victims. NGOs and international
organizations provide some services to victims. In February
2007, the International Office for Migration (IOM), with
funding from PRM, opened the first trafficking victims,
shelter in the country. The facility will accommodate 22
victims and provide reintegration services including
counseling and education for one month before returning
victims to their families. IOM is coordinating its victims,
assistance activities with the TIP Task Force.
¶B. The Government supports efforts of NGOs and IOs in the
form of hosting meetings. Most government capacity to deal
with the trafficking problem, however, comes from NGOs and
IOs.
¶C. The Police refer victims to the Ministry of Social Welfare
for follow-on placement with NGOs. The Ministry of Social
Welfare tries to place social workers in FSUs nationwide to
provide counseling and assistance to victims; however, the
Ministry has difficulty retaining them. Once trained,
according the Minister, a number of social workers left to
work for NGOs.
The MOSW works with UNICEF and service provider NGOs to form
a child protection network for street children. There is a
pilot program of bail homes operating in Kenema and Makeni
where children who are alleged nonviolent offenders can stay
in temporary foster care if their families do not post bail
for them.
¶D. In the case of the Indian nationals being trafficked to
Guinea, it is unclear if the individuals arrested were
trafficking victims or smuggled individuals. Otherwise, there
are no known cases in which the rights of a known trafficking
victim were not respected.
¶E. Sierra Leone's justice sector was destroyed by the 11-
year civil war. A new UK-sponsored Justice Sector Development
Project began in 2005 to rebuild it. The justice system is
currently characterized by delays and corruption, and
trafficking victims would have a difficult time - like other
FREETOWN 00000165 009.2 OF 010
Sierra Leoneans - in obtaining justice through the current
legal system.
Social factors often prevent women and children victims of
sexual and other violence from obtaining justice in the court
system. Rape cases, for instance, are often settled out of
court by male family members. Such social factors may also
serve as a barrier for trafficking victims to access justice.
The new Anti-Trafficking Act provides for victim restitution
as a penalty for trafficking.
¶F. There are no witness protection programs available.
However, there are several programs implemented in
partnership with international organizations and NGOs that
provide assistance and protection services to victims of
violence and sexual exploitation.
¶G. The TIP Action Plan has components that include provisions
for training that will target specialized training for
government officials to assist with the recognition of
trafficking cases. There are also protection components that
will train victims service providers to better treat children
victims.
Due to limited resources, the Government does not provide
training on protections and assistance to its embassies and
consulates in foreign countries that are destination or
transit countries, nor does it encourage its embassies and
consulates to develop ongoing relationships with NGOs that
serve trafficked victims.
¶H. No, the Government does not provide assistance to its
repatriated nationals who are trafficking victims.
¶I. International organizations provide child protection,
trafficking awareness training, vocational training, and
counseling services. They include UNICEF, UNHCR, ICRC, IOM;
and NGOs such as the FAITH Consortium, International Rescue
Committee, Save the Children, Defense for Children
International, CARITAS, COOPI, Human Rights Youth Coalition,
Don Bosco Fambul, Women in Crisis Movement, Christian in
Action Development Agency, FAWE, and GOAL SL.
--------
TIP Hero
--------
For a second year, Post nominates Ms. Kadi Fakondo, an
Assistant Commissioner in the Sierra Leone Police. Fakondo
continues to play a vital role in raising awareness of Sierra
Leoneans about the nature of trafficking in persons.
When Fakondo was the Local Unit Commander of the police
station in Kissy in 2000, she started the first Family
Support Unit (FSU) - a special police division to help women
and children deal with rape and domestic violence. With
Fakondo at the helm, Family Support Units eventually
multiplied and are now in place countrywide. With the
expansion, reporting of sexual violence has steadily
increased.
After attending her first trafficking seminar, Fakondo became
an avid promoter of efforts to combat trafficking. A dynamic,
charismatic, and well-respected speaker, Fakondo frequently
voices her concerns and convictions about trafficking over
the radio, at seminars, at interagency meetings, and with her
own staff. Fakondo was the driving force behind the ad hoc
TIP Task Force that formed after the passage of critical TIP
FREETOWN 00000165 010.2 OF 010
legislation in 2005. She found a place for the Task Force to
meet, provided a secretary to take minutes and keep
attendance, and urged key stakeholders to attend meetings.
Much of what the TIP Task Force has accomplished this year
can be attributed to Fakondo,s drive and perseverance to
combat this very difficult and complex issue in Sierra Leone
and educate the public about the menace of trafficking.
HULL