Brazil and Bolivia sign agreement to combat human trafficking

The governments of Brazil and Bolivia have signed a Cooperation Agreement to strengthen the fight against human trafficking, migrant smuggling and related crimes. The instrument was signed by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, during an official visit to Santa Cruz de La Sierra, where he met with Bolivian President Luis Alberto Arce on Tuesday night (9).

The objective of the agreement is to carry out joint actions between countries to combat these crimes, through mechanisms of prevention, assistance, protection of victims and criminal prosecution, ensuring respect for and enforcement of human rights, in accordance with the legislation of each country.

With the agreement, Brazil, through the Ministry of Justice and Public Security (MJSP), assumes responsibility for combating human trafficking and migrant smuggling. The countries will jointly develop a work plan to fulfill the commitments made.

Obligations include controlling documentation for authorizing and executing trips, implementing border control measures, guaranteeing the right to protection of victims’ identity and privacy, developing a protocol for the voluntary repatriation of victims and adopting appropriate mechanisms for controlling documentation.

Work plan

The general coordinator for Combating Human Trafficking and Smuggling of Migrants at the National Secretariat of Justice (Senajus), Marina Bernardes, explained that the agreement is part of the actions of the 4th National Plan to Combat Human Trafficking, which will be launched on July 30, World and National Day to Combat Human Trafficking.

“Human trafficking, although it can be internal, has a strong transnational nature, which requires effective cooperation with other countries. One of the priority actions of the new plan is to improve international cooperation with the main countries of origin of victims of human trafficking in Brazil and destination of nationals who are victims of human trafficking abroad. Without a doubt, Bolivia is a strategic country for Brazil in this cooperation,” stated Bernardes. She also highlighted the upcoming National Report on Human Trafficking, which points to an increase in the number of non-nationals rescued in conditions analogous to slavery, especially Paraguayans, Venezuelans and Bolivians.

International cooperation

In 2024, Brazil will celebrate 20 years since the enactment of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the Palermo Protocols. Bolivia is also a signatory to these instruments.

The signed agreement reinforces the international commitment of both countries. In response to the agreement, Brazil drafted and approved its National Policy to Combat Human Trafficking (PNETP) in 2006. The PNETP establishes principles, guidelines and actions to prevent and repress human trafficking and to provide assistance to victims.

With the aim of improving the country’s capacity to combat migrant smuggling, the MJSP launched the 1st Action Plan on the subject, focused on prevention, improving the response and reducing the impacts of the crime.

With information from the Ministry of Justice