Brasilia – The General Secretariat of the Organization of American States (OAS) today presented a secure videoconference system for the use of judicial authorities in the region in the framework of the VIII Meeting of Ministers of Justice or other Ministers or Attorneys General of the Americas (REMJA VIII).

The new tool, part of the Hemispheric Information Exchange Network for Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters and Extradition (the “Network”) will facilitate cooperation and exchange of information among countries that are currently part of the Network and is intended to become an essential tool to conduct testing and collect testimony and declarations as part of processes implemented by Member States.

The Network has been considered one of the main concrete results of the REMJA. It is made up of four parts: a public page, a private page, a secure electronic system of communication and the new videoconference system. This collection of electronic tools has helped to make cooperation between OAS Member State authorities in international judicial matters more efficient.

“We hope that this new component will help the Member States to continue to strengthen their exchange and collaboration. For our part, we will continue to work to be able to respond to the needs of users, who today amount to about 130 in 38 public entities of 30 Member States of the Organization,” said Jorge García-González, Director of the OAS Department of Legal Cooperation.

The secure videoconference system presented to the ministers is already available for use.

Furthermore in the framework of the REMJA VIII the OAS General Secretariat signed two memorandums of understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Justice, Security, and Human rights of the Republic of Argentina and with the National Secretariat of Justice of the Ministry of Justice of Brazil so these two entities may participate in the Network.

The Hemispheric Information Exchange Network for Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters and Extradition is available in all four OAS official languages and may be visited here

The VIII Meeting of Ministers of Justice or other Ministers or Attorneys General of the Americas is taking place February 24 to 26 in Brasilia. Topics discussed during this ministerial meeting include those related to justice and legal and judicial cooperation, particularly with respect to mutual assistance in criminal matters and extradition, cybercrime, human trafficking, transnational organized crime, victim and witness protection, prison and penitentiary policies, forensic investigation and family and child rights.

Reference: E-052/10