MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Brazilian proposal for a Mercosur Police, Merpol

Brazil is sponsoring the creation of a Mercosur police force similar to Europol the security organization of the European Union which specializes in across-border crimes, revealed the Brazilian Ministry of Justice.

Deputy Minister Luiz Paulo Barreto quoted by O Estado de Sao Paulo said that the new force “would be a kind of regional Interpol”.

Justice Minister Romeu Tuma Junior confirmed the news and justified the initiative arguing that is was essential to expand the reach of national Justice Departments.

“In the land border areas, people can commit a crime, cross the road and begin laughing about what they’ve done because they are at the other side and law enforcement organizations can’t intervene. We have to ensure legal mechanisms which ensure Justice can act effectively”, said Minister Tuma.

The Merpol idea will be officially presented during the next Mercosur summit scheduled for June in Asunción, Paraguay that currently holds the six month rotating chair. Allegedly Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, full members agree on principle to the idea.

Minister Tuma and his Deputy Barreto are currently in Lisbon, Portugal participating in a seminar on illegal immigration and trafficking with people.

Brazil last year promoted military defence coordination at continental level, in the framework of the Union of South American Nations, Unasur. The proposal finally crystallized in a South American Defence Council, of which all countries of the region are members.