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Brazil, European Union sign Federal Police-Europol cooperation agreement
Agreement establishes the basis for joint work, emphasizing privacy and protection of personal data - Credit: Image Bank / Getty Images
Through its Ministry of Justice and Public Security (Ministério da Justiça e Segurança Pública/MJSP), Brazil’s Federal Government has signed a cooperation agreement between the Federal Police (Polícia Federal/PF) and the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol). The document was signed by Minister Ricardo Lewandowski and the European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner, on Wednesday, March 5, in a ceremony in Brussels. The document sets the foundation for even more robust joint work between Brazil and the European Union in combating crime — while ensuring the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and emphasizing privacy and the protection of personal data. "If crime has become transnational and organized, we need an international and united response to successfully combat it. This is what this agreement will provide: a legal framework for cooperation between our security agencies," said Lewandowski.
PARTNERSHIP – The Minister highlighted that the document expresses the resolution to combat transnational crime in all its forms, and is a foundation in the strategic partnership between Brazil and the European Union alongside the Mercosur-EU Trade Agreement. "This agreement provides for the necessary democratic checks and balances based on the role of a supervisory authority that is responsible for data protection. It demonstrates how democratic countries collaborate in the fight against organized crime," he stated.
AT THE FOREFRONT – Brazil will be the third country — after the UK and New Zealand — to establish this type of partnership with the European Union, demonstrating an excellent level of bilateral cooperation in combating organized crime and strengthening public security. The agreement is an expression of the international community's recognition of Brazil’s capacity and commitment to combating crime.
COOPERATION – The instrument allows operational cooperation between Brazil’s Federal Police and Europol to be leveraged, enhancing the capacity of law enforcement authorities on both sides, and collaborating through data exchange and joint investigations into drug trafficking, environmental crimes, human trafficking, and child sexual abuse. "As with other issues on the international agenda, the fight against crime is a common and shared responsibility. We will only be successful if we work together," said Minister Ricardo Lewandowski.