Brasília, November 10, 2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Through the work it has been doing for months, the Joint Parliamentary Investigation Commission (CPMI) of the National Congress is demonstrating that the situation of sexual exploitation of children in Brazil is much more serious than what was imagined.
A survey conducted by the United Nations shows that Brazil is second only to Thailand in the trafficking of children, principally to European countries, where they are forced into prostitution. A real criminal network competes with narcotraffic and contraband arms sales.
In recent months the CPMI has received approximately 600 denunciations of girls who were victims of sexual abuse. Among the accused are politicians, public figures, entrepreneurs, and clergymen. An outstanding example is that of ex-world track champion, Zequinha Barbosa, who is being tried in Mato Grosso do Sul for having had sexual relations with three girls less than 18 years old.
The youngest was 12 years old at the time. When she was 10, this same girl, according to members of the Parliamentary Commission, had been delivered by her own mother to two politicians from Campo Grande. City councilmen César Disney (PT) and Robson Martins (PSDB) renounced their seats last week in order to avoid investigation by the local Council.
In Soledade, a Rio Grande do Sul municipality famous for exporting semi-precious stones, the CPMI discovered a child trafficking network to serve Brazilian and foreign businessmen who go there on business. The Commission's reporter, Maria do Rosário, explained that young virgins are "purchased" by local entrepreneurs. After being deflowered, the children are "offered" to the visiting merchants.
In the city of Porto Ferreira, in the interior of the state of São Paulo, most of the members of the City Council should have their mandates revoked after adolescents denounced a prostitution ring involving legislators. Girls were taken to farms on the outskirts of the city where veritable orgies were held. For four months the Commission has been investigating the denunciation of a girl allegedly violated by a Federal Deputy.
With the arrival of summer, efforts should now be concentrated on the preparation of a preliminary report, with suggestions to the government to stifle sexual tourism. Maria do Rosário wants all of society, not just the government, to participate in this process. For this purpose, partnerships should be established with airline companies, hotel chains, and Infraero. (DAS)
