Costa Rica Strengthens Its Battle Against Sexual Exploitation of Minors.

Business Editors/Government & Travel Writers

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 2, 2001

In a meeting that took place in Washington, D.C. on January 11, 2001, the governments of Costa Rica and the United States discussed several proposals to protect Costa Rican minors from sexual exploitation.

During that January 11th meeting, the Ambassador of Costa Rica in Washington D.C., Jaime Daremblum, pointed out the restlessness of the Costa Rican Government in regards to this subject, and the concern that a considerable part of the promoters and sexual exploiters of Costa Rican minors are North American citizens. Daremblum requested assistance from the U.S. government, both in the investigation and the criminal process of those who promote the activity, especially through the Internet; as well as the technical assistance and training of Costa Rican authorities.

In a press release last week, United States Ambassador in San Jose, Thomas J. Dodd, reiterated the commitment and intention of the United States Government to act together with Costa Rica in combating the serious problem of child prostitution. The proposals, which were devised in the Washington meeting by representatives of the U.S. Departments of Justice and State and by the Costa Rican Embassy in Washington, are in the process of being worked out. Authorities have proceeded to investigate and identify Internet sites that promote tourism through the exploitation of Costa Rican children. Both the U.S. and Costa Rica have designated officials who will oversee and implement the agreed measures. The embassies of both countries have already initiated the planning stages of the training programs for Costa Rican officials by the United States, and are presently seeking the necessary funding to carry out these measures.

Several actions have already been implemented by the Government of Costa Rica in the battle against child prostitution, including the approval of the law which punishes the sexual exploitation of minors, the creation of a specialized unit within the Ministry of Public Security of Costa Rica to fight sexual exploitation of minors, and for the seizure and processing of those involved with this criminal act. Since the specialized unit was created in January of 1999, 309 investigations have been carried out, from which 47 people (32 Costa Ricans and 15 foreigners) were apprehended, imprisoned or sentenced.

For more information on this matter, please contact the office of Monica Nagel, Costa Rica's Minister of Justice at 011-506-280-9054 or 011-506-280-7776.