The Brazilian Ministry of Justice and Public Security (MJSP) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) signed a Letter of Intent in Brasilia on 31 July 2024, which aims to bring together government, private sector and civil society actors to address joint efforts to eliminate violence against children and create a protective environment against drugs and crime.
Brazil is the first country to partner with the UNODC and commit to developing a strategy to protect children from drugs and crime. The agreement between the Brazilian Minister of Justice and UNODC aims to develop a multi-sectoral strategy to Eliminate Violence Against Children and to pilot the CHAMPS (Child Amplified Services of Prevention) initiative in Brazil.
The meeting, which was organised by the Ministry of Justice through the National Secretariat for Drug Policy (SENAD) and the Digital Rights Secretariat (SEDIGI), made it clear that drugs and crime pose a threat to peace and security and expose children to heightened risks of violence, including sexual and gender-based violence, online threats, recruitment by organized crime groups, and child trafficking.
Inspired by the Global Strategy to End Violence against Children, launched by UNODC and the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children (OSRSG-VAC) in November 2023, the Brazilian government recognises that the risk and protective factors for children’s involvement in drugs and crime are common. Brazilian authorities stressed the need for a systemic and child-centred approach to tackle the problem and highlighted the urgency of investing in prevention and child protection.
The Minister of Justice and Public Security, Ricardo Lewandowski, emphasized the importance of structural policies to address the issue of criminality, particularly regarding the protection of children and adolescents. “We are talking about the future citizens of this country. Combating crime and drug use is not just about repression but also about prevention, training, education, and long-term programs that go beyond generations and the tenures of temporary administrations,” he stated during the opening ceremony at the Palace of Justice in Brasília.
“We commend the leadership of Brazil’s Minister of Justice, who has mobilized all sectors to invest in protecting children from drugs and crime; this initiative represents a critical step forward in our collective efforts to safeguard child rights as a key requirement for peace, development and justice,” said Alexandra Martins, UNODC Global Leader on Ending Violence Against Children. “By integrating evidence-based prevention measures and promoting a comprehensive, child-centred approach, Brazil is setting an important example for other countries”.
Wadih Maalouf, UNODC Global Coordinator of the Drug Prevention Programme, said that Brazil’s interest in the CHAMPS initiative is a groundbreaking development in our global mission to prevent drug abuse and secure the future of children and adolescents. “By adopting the CHAMPS model, Brazil is setting a new standard for prevention and paving the way for other countries. It shows how targeted strategies can tackle children’s involvement in drugs, crime and violence and inspires global efforts to create a safer environment for young people.”
The National Secretary for Drug Policy and Asset Management, Marta Machado, highlighted that the protection of children and adolescents against drugs, violence, and crimes is a priority for the Ministry of Justice and Public Security (MJSP). According to her, actions are already underway, but joint planning will enhance the efficiency of these efforts. “The strategy unites the different areas and ensures that we all sit together to coordinate actions. It has already been proven that this coordination makes each individual action significantly more effective.”
The event was attended by public officials such as the Minister of Justice and Public Security, Ricardo Lewandowski, the National Secretary for Drug Policy and Asset Management, Marta Machado, and the National Secretary for Digital Rights, Lilian Cintra de Melo.
For the National Secretary of Digital Rights, Lilian Cintra de Melo, the synergy between secretariats, ministries, and institutions is crucial for ensuring that measures are incisive in protecting children and adolescents. “In the digital realm, we face the enormous challenge of a borderless world and the need for international coordination to implement effective measures.”
In addition to the activities in Brasília, technical meetings and visits to potential pilot territories for the initiative will take place in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo from 29 July to 2 August.
