With the objective of studying the relationship between organised crime and indigenous communities in Latin America, the Police Cooperation component of EL PAcCTO is participating in several working meetings together with Latin American experts and researchers with experience in the subject.
Indigenous peoples contribute to the diversity and richness of civilisations and cultures. They are part of the common heritage of humanity and represent a living source of ancestral knowledge. These are compelling reasons to identify the main crimes that affect them and which place them in a vulnerable situation.
Experts from countries such as Brazil, Colombia and Mexico are in charge of analysing the impact organised crime has on these communities in Latin America. This will allow these experts to expand the knowledge accessible to police institutions in the fight against criminal groups. In addition, the work will also facilitate police work in the fight against criminal phenomena such as arms trafficking, cocaine trafficking, illegal mining and species trafficking. Crimes that undoubtedly affect the lives and development of indigenous communities.
The gender perspective and the study of indigenous communities
The study being carried out at this time seeks a multifactorial approach, since indigenous communities are considered as both victims and perpetrators. Also, from a gender perspective, there will be a focus on indigenous women who undoubtedly represent an important arm in the fight, as well as a voice, against these criminal groups.
It is also expected that clues will be revealed as to how the investigative work in this territory could be undertaken in the face of the threat of crime that represents an irreparable losses for all humanity.
Strengthening the capacities of police forces
Some of the specific results that EL PAcCTO hopes to achieve are the strengthening of the capacities and mechanisms of the authorities involved in confronting these criminal groups.
It also seeks to strengthen cooperation between countries interested in this problem, define good practices for institutions and countries and accompany specific practical actions.
At present, full information on the impact transnational criminal organisations have on indigenous communities is lacking. Only some of the crimes committed in the region are common knowledge, as well as their impact on the freedom and fundamental rights of indigenous communities.
EL PAcCTO will support the countries that participate in this initiative to advance towards identifying problems and in the implementation of legal and police actions that will help to develop policies for the protection and defence of indigenous communities in Latin America.