In a resounding display of international criminal justice collaboration, CRIMJUST and Eurojust Interregional Meeting of Iberoamerican and European Prosecutors convened in The Hague on 13-14 September 2023. CRIMJUST supported this event as a part of Operational Action 8.6 of the European Interdisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats (EMPACT) on High Risk Criminal Networks (HRCN). This landmark gathering witnessed the participation of representatives from Latin American and European countries, all unified in a concerted effort to combat organised crime.
The meeting served as a catalyst for collaboration, as prosecutors from countries like Guatemala, Paraguay, Bolivia, Ecuador, Brazil, Spain and Sweden, as well as regional entities such as the Network of Ibero-American Anti-Drug Prosecutors (RFAI), who showcased transnational illicit trafficking cases identifying crucial trafficking routes and organised crime networks, fostering the establishment of direct contacts among concerned prosecutors. This facilitated rapid information exchange through bilateral meetings, and the support of Joint Investigative Teams (JIT’s), amplifying transnational investigations and addressing common challenges faced by these regions.
The event highlighted the pivotal role of EMPACT HRCN in ensuring a safer Europe through coordinated efforts against organised crime, and especially the importance of operational actions fostering cooperation among Latin American prosecutors. Mario Hemmerling, the CRIMJUST Global Coordinator underscored UNODC’s essential role in fostering international cooperation and CRIMJUST’s commitment to addressing transnational organised crime’s impact on human rights and societal vulnerabilities. The meeting concluded with a unified commitment to strategic analysis, information sharing, and sustained collaboration between European and Latin American prosecution offices, signifying a significant leap forward in the fight against illicit flows across borders.
This event stands as a testament to the GIFP’s commitment to leveraging strategic partnerships and international cooperation in tackling the multidimensional challenges posed by high-risk criminal networks. The outcomes and commitments made during the meeting serve as a cornerstone for sustained efforts in disrupting illicit trafficking routes, fostering a more secure global landscape through enhanced collaboration in law enforcement and judicial strategies.
