May 11, 2009
Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you to the delegation from Uruguay for your presentation today. We applaud Uruguay’s efforts to improve their protection of human rights, and the commitment to that cause shown by this presentation.
We would like to pose the following questions and recommendations.
What is Uruguay doing to identify and assist trafficking victims? In what way will the interagency commission proposed by the Government of Uruguay to implement state policy on trafficking address these needs?
Trafficking often occurs with the complicity and corruption of law enforcement and/or border security agents. What is Uruguay doing to improve supervision in these areas and prevent such corrupt behavior?
The United States recommends that Uruguay pursue the following courses of action:
1. increase law enforcement efforts to stop trafficking offenders, including training for law enforcement and border security;
2. as appropriate, take measures to investigate, prosecute, and penalize those agents who accept bribes or otherwise facilitate trafficking;
3. increase efforts to implement the new anti-trafficking law;
4. expand anti-trafficking training for judges and law enforcement personnel;
5. and increase victim services and protection efforts.
Thank you in advance for your response. We hope that this process will be helpful to your national approach to human rights. Thank you, Mr. President.