Due to Efforts against Trafficking in Persons Bolivia Removed from Tier 2 Watch List

Mark Lagoon, recently appointed Director of the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons. © AP Images

Due to the significant efforts Bolivia is making against trafficking in persons, the U.S. Department of State removed the country from the Tier 2 Watch List, in which it was last year, to Tier 2.

In an annual report on trafficking in persons to the U.S. Congress, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice recognized the efforts made not only by the Bolivian Executive branch, but also by the Legislative and Judicial Branches during the past year. Worldwide, trafficking in persons generates multi-billion-dollar profits for criminal organizations.

U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Krishna Urs gave the good news at the facilities of Centro de Diagnóstico Terapia Mujeres, the only center in Bolivia that provides assistance to girls and adolescents rescued from traffickers.

“I want to highlight the dedication and commitment of the people that work at this Center, who have the significant role of becoming mothers to these young girls. Also, I want to express a very special greeting to the girls who have suffered the tragedy of being trafficking victims,” the diplomat said.

Cover of Department of State Trafficking in Persons Report 2007. Image U.S. Department of State

Over the past year, despite limited resources, Bolivia increased law enforcement and prosecution. In a landmark case in Cochabamba, the regional Attorney’s Office secured the convictions of two traffickers for enslaving an 11-year-old child. Moreover, special anti-trafficking police and prosecutors opened 36 trafficking prosecutions across the country in 2006.

Also, Bolivia made efforts to prevent this crime by means of awareness seminars held throughout the country and increased protection services for the victims.

In June 2006, the Prefecture of the Department of La Paz, in cooperation with the U.S. government opened the shelter for victims of sexual exploitation that now provides care for teenage girls between 12 and 18 years of age.

Urs encouraged Bolivia to continue to work. “There are some pending amendments in Congress in order to strengthen Bolivian anti-trafficking laws. Also, more emphasis should be given to investigations and prosecutions of traffickers. I know there are no easy solutions to trafficking in persons, but the dimension of this crime requires adopting strong measures,” he concluded.

To read full report, click here

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