July 27, 2023

11:07

Eduardo Figueiredo – From Amazon Agency*

MANAUS – An operation by the Federal Police (PF) investigates the Humanitarian Solidarity Association of Amazonas (Asham), located in the São Jorge neighborhood, west of Manaus, for suspected trafficking of indigenous children and adolescents from the municipality of São Gabriel da Cachoeira (852 km from the capital of Amazonas).

The joint action with the Municipal Secretariat for Women, Social Assistance and Citizenship (Semasc), the Municipal Council for Social Assistance (CMAS), the Municipal Council for the Rights of Children and Adolescents, the Brazilian Bar Association of Amazonas (OAB-AM), the National Foundation for Indigenous Peoples (Funai) and the Western Guardianship Council, was launched on Wednesday afternoon, 26.

According to the PF, the action refers to the unfolding of Operation Além-Mar, which began on February 27, when the Federal Police, the Western Guardianship Council and the Health Surveillance carried out the rescue of 15 indigenous minors and the retention of expired food in the association, which operated without authorization to act as a shelter for children and adolescents.

Search and seizure

The Federal Police had already served a search and seizure warrant at the association’s headquarters on the 12th. On the same date, federal agents also served a warrant at the residence of one of the investigated persons of Turkish origin, where they detained the man’s passport.

Trafficking in persons is a highly complex crime, involving economic, social, cultural and psychological factors, requiring the interlocution of several public sector institutions, as well as society as a whole.

AMAZON AGENCY tried to contact Asham via phone call through the contact available on the association’s website, but until the publication of this article there was no return.

(*) With information from Press Office