“There is a profound lack of knowledge of all the aspects of human trafficking”

On Wednesday, March 13, the Congress of the Republic approved a bill that reduces accountability obligations in the crime of human trafficking.

That is, the premier, the Minister of the Interior and the Minister of Women and Vulnerable Populations will no longer have to go to the Plenary Session of Congress to report on progress in the fight against this crime.

The approval of this project, according to Ricardo Valdés, executive director of CHS, is due to a profound lack of knowledge of all aspects of human trafficking.

The transversality of the crime of human trafficking

“There is a lack of understanding on the part of the Congress of the Republic of the dimension of human trafficking in Peru.” Valdés spoke about the biased vision that parliamentarians have about crime, highlighting its transversality.

“The problem of human trafficking is absolutely transversal to what happens in Peru. This is a social, criminal, economic and labor phenomenon. “It is a very complex phenomenon.” He also mentioned the multiple commissions covered by the crime.

Importance of the presence of the authorities

“It is important that the Minister of the Interior is present because he is the one who chairs the Permanent Multisectoral Commission against Human Trafficking,” he emphasizes.

“Congressman Muñante believes that by adding the Ministry of Women, he is including a forgotten sector and that is not true. The 2012 law also required accountability at the level of childhood and adolescence regarding sexual exploitation and other related crimes.”

He also mentioned that the importance of the premier in the Plenary Session lies in the management of his position in all sectors and the commissions represented.

Furthermore, he linked this to the designation of insufficient funds. He stated that, since it is the Plenary Session where the State budget is discussed, it is necessary to have the voice of the premier to reverse the current figures.

Relationship between trafficking and illegal mining and reasons behind it

When asked, Valdés pointed out that we cannot ignore the link between illegal mining and human trafficking. He also pointed out the two aspects of the crime: the sexual exploitation of women in “prostibares” (brothels disguised as bars) that serve illegal miners and the forced labor of men in illegal mines.

“They are closely linked. One, practically, does not live without the other.” Based on this, and her relationship with other crimes, he once again emphasized the need for a comprehensive vision of the problem.

Regarding the reasons behind it, he mentioned that it possibly responds to some interest on the part of some congressmen regarding illegal mining, due to the flow of votes it brings with it.

How to combat human trafficking?

Valdés began by mentioning the lack of financing for different services. He also expressed the need to take national policy to the regional level, and then do it at a provincial and district level.

“This is important because trafficking occurs in territories. If responsibilities are not established at that level, trafficking will continue to promote itself due to its profitability.”