May 7, 2008 / 11:47 am
Two bishops in northern Brazil have denounced the increase in human trafficking and said that authorities have not been able to prevent pedophilia and the sexual exploitation of minors.
Bishop Flavio Giovenale of Abaetetuba and Bishop Jose Luiz Azcona of Marajo met with human rights leaders in Brasilia to warn them of the critical situation in the Amazonian state of Para.
Bishop Azcona said he denounced human trafficking and pedophilia two months ago to Brazilian officials but “so far I have not received any response.”
The region of Para caught the attention of the public last year when a teen who was being held in a jail with adult men was sexually assaulted.
According to the bishops, there are some three hundred people who have received death threats for denouncing human trafficking and the sexual exploitation of minors.