Marcela Rebelo
Reporter - Agência Brasil

Brasília - The executive secretary of the Ministry of Justice, Luiz Paulo Barreto, affirmed today (30), at the opening of the 1st Meeting of Heads of State of the South American Community of Nations, that the countries of the region should "join forces" to combat organized crime. He presented the presidents and representatives of the countries that are participating in the encounter with the results of discussions held in August at the Ministerial Meeting on Civic Safety, in Fortaleza.

Barreto affirmed that a consensus exists on the need for "coordinated and integrated actions" among the countries of South America to combat and prevent crimes. "Whereas different police institutions exist in South America - each with its own type of administration - the behavior of organized crime follows standardized schemes of cooperation, practically uniform throughout the region, with cooperation networks that make use of what is most up-to-date in technology, logistics, and equipment," the executive secretary observed.

He said that, if the countries don't unite, they will be "at a disadvantage" in relation to the criminals. Barreto pointed out that civic safety is an essential prerequisite to ensure the rights of the population in a democratic society. He also underlined that violence imposes direct and indirect costs on countries, such as resources spent on the prison system. According to Barreto, these expenses end up reducing investments in important areas in South American countries.

The executive secretary also affirmed that it is necessary for there to be a "integral vision of civic safety," with the participation of the private sector, civil society, and international agencies.

Translation: David Silberstein