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EL PAcCTO: 12 Latin American countries gather for a workshop to fight against cybercrime

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Published on 26/10/2017
Democratic, economic and financial governance
STATE REFORM, RULE OF LAW AND DEMOCRACY

Ecuador

The first workshop of the European EL PAcCTO programme was held in Quito (Ecuador) on 23, 24 and 25 October. This workshop was devoted to the fight against cybercrime, with a focus on the fight against the sexual abuse of minors. The objective was to launch reflection on the harmonisation of procedures, investigation methods and the prosecution of cybercrime offences, as well as to develop work dynamics between the institutions from the various countries in the region in order to more effectively tackle cybercrime.

Strong regional commitment to child protection

It was the first time that a multidisciplinary and international team met in Latin America on the theme of the fight against the online sexual abuse of minors.

Members from public ministries and specialised police officers from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Paraguay and Uruguay analysed the capacities, possibilities and needs in terms of police and tax investigations on the use and dissemination of child pornography material.

The participants also identified existing legislative or organisational deficiencies in this field, and proposed measures to strengthen international cooperation on cybercrime.

The conclusions of this regional reflection will subsequently be formalised in writing, with details on the working processes and methods which will be used to harmonise procedures between the various countries.

 

A common theme to Europe and Latin America

In both Latin America and the European Union, States have committed to improving the protection of minors. Most Latin American States have introduced offences over the creation, dissemination, exchanges and possession of child pornography images in their legislation, and their participation in this workshop underscored their commitment in this field.

Furthermore, two Spanish women experts, from the Guardia Civil and Cybercrime Unit of the Public Prosecutor, specialised in this type of offence, were also present to promote exchanges of experience between Europe and Latin America.

 

El PAcCTO is a programme financed by the European Commission and implemented by Expertise France and the FIIAPP, with support from the Istituto Italo-Latino Americano (IILA) and Portuguese Instituto Camões. It mainly aims to fight against organised crime by strengthening the institutions responsible for ensuring the safety of citizens in 18 Latin American countries.

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