NEWSLETTER

ECUADOR

JULY 2013

The Second Vice President of the National Assembly, Marcela Aguiñaga, received the Head of the International Organization for Migration, Rogelio Bernal, who offered technical support to the Legislature regarding drafting of laws on human migration and trafficking in persons. Mr Bernal took advantage of the opportunity to congratulate Ms. Aguiñaga for her election as second Vice President.

The Vice President of the Legislature, thanking the Head of IOM for his presence and support, stressed that issues of human mobility must focus on respect for equality among Ecuadorians and foreigners.

Marcela Aguiñaga reported that approval of the Integrated Criminal-Law Code is one of the National Assembly’ priorities for its first 100 days of work and that this instrument will include a number of criminal offenses, including trafficking in persons, and will also defend women's rights.

The Legislature’s commitment is to work in the same direction, protecting citizens’ rights and, in this case, those of fellow Ecuadorians who are migrants. Therefore, all technical support is welcome that will make it possible to draft laws according to the reality of this social sector, regarding free movement by human beings, which is a cross-cutting, holistic issue, where a very clear policy must be set.

OFFICIAL VISIT BY THE HEAD OF THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION

TO THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

AGENDA

During 15 and 16 July, the IOM Office in Quito hosted a Workshop on Sensitization and Skills to Provide Proper Assistance for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual and Intersexual (LGBTI) Persons, given by Jennifer Rumbach, Manager of the South Asia Refugee Resettlement Center based in Damak, Nepal.

Personnel attended and participated actively from the Refuge Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility, HIAS, Asylum Access, the RSC for Latin America, with headquarters in Quito, and the Operations and Return Staff of IOM, Mission in Ecuador.

This workshop trained participants in the best way to provide dignified, respectful treatment for the LGBTI population, as well as on the importance of providing a safe place where they can feel comfortable to share about their situation, with appropriate signage and, especially, with proper handling of language and adequate terminology.

Participants learned the most significant issues facing this population group and special considerations that should apply when they move around, whether for resettlement or return.

This training was especially important as a very useful tool for effective assistance for our refugees and migrants in general.

WORKSHOP ON SENSITIZATION AND SKILLS FOR PROPER ASSISTANCE FOR LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSSEXUAL AND

INTERSEXUAL (LGBTI) PERSONS

SENSITIZATION WORKSHOP FOR LOCAL POLICE AUTHORITIES, COMMUNITY

DEFENDERS AND PERSONNEL OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF IBARRA

On 16 July, IOM held a sensitization workshop on trafficking in persons for local police authorities, community defenders and personnel of the Municipality of Ibarra. This activity was coordinated with the Municipality of Ibarra and the Governor's office of Imbabura and attended by 45 staff members. The following topics were discussed: conceptualization and characteristics of trafficking, local reality, role that the institutions present play regarding this crime, the difference of trafficking from smuggling migrants, identifying victims and traffickers, analysis of cases and caring for victims.

PRESENTING THE CANTON AGENDA AGAINST TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS AT

THE PLENARY OF THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OF GUAMOTE

This past 3 July, the work report and canton agenda against Trafficking in Persons were presented in Guamote under the cooperation agreement signed on 1 August 2011. The Council meeting was chaired by the Mayor, Juan de Dios Roldán, and the seven council members of this municipality.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

On 10 and 24 July, IOM and the Ministry of Interior held the first two workshops to construct the Unified National Protocol on Integrated Protection for Victims of Trafficking in Persons, which will become the nationwide tool, endorsed by the Ecuadorian Government, for proper, integrated protection for victims of trafficking.

The first workshop was attended by the Government institutions comprising the Protection Group, in order to present their areas of jurisdiction regarding the crime of trafficking in persons. Construction workshop participants included: the Ministry of the Interior, Anti-Trafficking Unit of the Judicial Police, National Directorate of Police Specializing in Boys, Girls and Adolescents (DINAPEN), the National Prosecutor’s Office through the Programme to Protect Victims and Witnesses, the Ministry to Coordinate Social Development (MCDS), the Ministry of Economic and Social Inclusion (MIES), the Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The second workshop, held on 24 July, presented the tools for the Protocol: initial interview, in-depth interview, referral form and counter-referral form. Additionally, a preliminary proposal for the Protocol was presented. This second workshop was attended, in addition to the government institutions, by civil-society organizations working to protect victims of trafficking.

IOM AND THE MINISTRY OF INTERIOR HOLD THE FIRST WORKSHOPS ON THE UNIFIED NATIONAL PROTOCOL FOR INTEGRATED PROTECTION OF VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING IN

PARTICIPATION BY IOM ECUADOR IN THE THIRD LATIN AMERICAN

CONGRESS ON TRAFFICKING AND SMUGGLING OF PERSONS

IOM Ecuador gave a lecture on “ I n t e r n a t i o n a l T r a f f i c k i n g i n Ecuadorian Indigenous Boy and Girl Children and Adolescents” at the Third Latin American Congress on Trafficking and Smuggling of Persons on the theme of "Globalization, Trafficking and Access to Justice: Coordinating Regional Dialogues”, held in Bogotá, Colombia from 16 to 18 July. The event was organized by the Latin American Observatory of Trafficking in Persons and the Los Andes University. IOM was part of the organizing committee. The purpose of this event was to enable dialogue among scholars and stakeholders of v a r i o u s n a t u r e s , t o d e e p e n understanding of trafficking in Latin America as an inherent phenomenon to current globalizing dynamics, and contribute to preparing truly effective answers to combat it from a human rights approach in the region. The event was attended by the UN Special Rapporteur on Trafficking and Smuggling of Persons, especially Women and Children, Joy Ngozi Ezeilo.

AGENDA IBARRA HAS ITS CANTON AGENDA AGAINST TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS

Ibarra has its canton agenda against trafficking in persons. The document will enable the Municipality of Ibarra to establish policies and norms against this crime, present in the Province.

Having done 20 months of joint work by IOM and the Municipality of Ibarra, the Programmeme against Trafficking in Persons presented, at a meeting of the Municipal Council, on 3 July, their report on work to inform them about actions undertaken jointly for participatory public policy-making on this topic, and ask for the backup for approval of the Canton agenda for Prevention and Penalization of the Trafficking in Persons and Integrated Protection for Victims.

This work has been strongly supported by Councilwoman Inés Almeida, President of the Gender Commission of the Municipal GAD, who reported on the excellent work done in the canton of Ibarra to prevent this crime, and asked the Council plenary to analyse the plan and approve it. The meeting was chaired by the Mayor of Ibarra, Mr Jorge Martínez.

The agenda was structured through workshops and technical analyses regarding the crime of trafficking in persons. The conceptual foundation is the National Plan against Trafficking in Persons.

Once the document was given to the Municipal Council, the first stop is then to begin public discussion by the Municipality, leading ultimately to an Ordinance.  

CINEMA FORUM IN SELVA ALEGRE, OTAVALO

On 24 July, a cinema forum was held on trafficking in persons in the community of Selva Alegre, canton of Cotacachi. This activity was coordinated by the Municipality of Otavalo and DINAPEN. 160 students from the Selva Alegre School attended the event.

The short film was shown and then the floor was opened for discussion of the different questions the young people had on the subject.

The topic of trafficking is still new to the parish, so many youth asked what TRAFFICKING meant. With support from their teachers, work will continue, to sensitize more deeply this vulnerable group of boys, girls and adolescents in a community that is far away from town, and especially vulnerable to being seduced by false promises of vocational development and making their impossible dreams come true.

AGENDAAWARDS CEREMONY FOR WATER BOARDS IN CARCHI

In the cantons of Montúfar and Bolívar in the Province of Carchi, the awards ceremony was held for the contest on “Better Integrated Management by Community Organizations Providing Water Supply Services”, with the participation of the mayors of beneficiary cantons, local authorities and representatives of Water Administration Boards.

In both cases, the mayors and presidents of the Boards thanked IOM for the work done a n d t r a i n i n g r e c e i v e d t o a c h i e v e sustainability of their water supply systems.

DELIVERY OF PRIZES AND WATER USE RIGHTS

In the city of San Lorenzo, a triple event was held, with high-profile participation by IOM. The Programme began by delivering SENAGUA’s certificates of the right to use water to the presidents of the Water Supply Administration Boards in the cantons of Rioverde, Eloy Alfaro and San Lorenzo. This delivery was arranged by the IOM with this sector agency, and attended by the Vice Minister of SENAGUA, Mr Cristóbal Punina.

Nex t , IOM de l i ve red the s tud ies conducted to construct water supply systems for communities in the three cantons.

At the end, IOM – through its Integrated Municipal Development Programme (PIDEM), held the awards ceremony for the contest on “Better Integrated Management in Community Organizations Providing Water Supply Services”, involving Water Supply Administration Boards from the Cantons of San Lorenzo, Eloy Alfaro and Rioverde, municipal authorities and SENAGUA officials.

LIFE STORIESAGENDA

This last 1 July, the Programme against Trafficking in Persons, at a regular meeting of the Municipal Council of Otavalo, submitted the work report based on the agreement signed between IOM and the Municipality of Otavalo.The meeting was chaired by the Vice Mayor, Fernando Bonilla, and the canton’s council members.

With the presence of the Mayor of Cotacachi, Mr Alberto Arango, and the canton’s 10 council members, the Programme against Trafficking delivered its work report and the Canton agenda against Trafficking in Persons. These a c t i o n s w e r e t a k e n u n d e r t h e cooperation agreement signed by IOM and the Municipal GAD. The agenda is set to be publicly launched in August.

Early in January, Washington Santana came back to Ecuador with the support of the Voluntary Return and Assisted Reintegration from Italy Programme (PARTIR IV).

Almost six years ago, Washington left Ecuador in search of a better economic situation, reaching Milan, where he worked as a farmer, but unfortunately the owner of the farm died, and he lost his job, so he decided to go to Genoa, where he worked as a painter, brick mason and then in sales, among other jobs.

However, the situation in Italy got more complicated this last year and he was working only two or three hours a day, so he decided to return to his country.

Thanks to IOM support, Washington tells that he was able to return, because he didn’t have enough money even for his return ticket. He says: “I was desperate to return, and I am very happy with the assistance that you have given me”.

Washington is now living in Daule, in his mother’s home. With IOM support, he was able to purchase a motorcycle taxi, and belongs to a motorcycle taxi cooperative in Daule. He is supporting his children and grandson. “I have to work to help my children and my grandson”.

“Thanks to IOM, I have begun a new life. It’s not easy, either, but I am very glad to have come back”.