Bolivia establishes international alliances to combat human trafficking and smuggling

The Ministry of Justice in Bolivia has announced the development of an international strategy through bilateral agreements with countries including Paraguay, Peru, and Argentina to address the growing issues of human trafficking and smuggling effectively.

The country aims to tackle these transnational crimes by cooperating with nations such as Brazil, Spain, Panama, and Venezuela.

Bolivia is also implementing a comprehensive strategy domestically to contain and reduce these criminal activities.

According to a report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), cases of human trafficking and smuggling in Bolivia have increased from 463 to 551 between 2018 and 2022.

The Vice-Minister of Justice, César Siles, emphasized that Bolivia is among the primary countries of origin for human trafficking in South America.

In response to the transnational nature of these crimes, the government is working on agreements with various countries while aligning its regulations with international standards.

It is crucial to address the diverse purposes of trafficking, which encompass not only sexual and labor exploitation but also organ trafficking and slavery.

At the national level, the Plurinational Council against Human Trafficking, led by the Ministry of Justice, is responsible for coordinating anti-trafficking efforts.

Additionally, two offices under different ministries are actively involved in coordinating technical measures against trafficking.

In 2022, the Bolivian government, in collaboration with international organizations and civil society actors, approved the Plurinational Plan to Combat Human Trafficking and Human Smuggling 2021-2025.

This plan focuses on crime prevention, victim protection and support, prosecution of traffickers, and enhanced coordination at both the international and national levels.

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