Human Rights Committee

Information received from the Plurinational State of Bolivia on follow-up to the concluding observations on its fourth periodic report *

[Date received: 25 March 2025]

Introduction

1.In accordance with article 40 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Plurinational State of Bolivia submitted to the Human Rights Committee its fourth periodic report (CCPR/C/BOL/CO/4) on 2 June 2022. Following the review of the report at the Committee’s 3849th, 3851st and 3853rd meetings on 8, 9 and 10 March 2022 in hybrid format, the Committee issued its concluding observations (CCPR/C/BOL/CO/4) on 2 June 2022, in which it requested the Bolivian State to provide information on the implementation of the recommendations set forth in paragraphs 15 (violence against women), 21 (trafficking in persons and forced labour) and 27 (administration of justice).

2.In line with the mandate of the Commission for the Submission of State Reports on Enforced Disappearances, which was created by Supreme Decree No. 4816 of 26 October 2022, the present report was prepared by the Technical Secretariat of the Commission, which is part of the Office of the Deputy Minister of Justice and Fundamental Rights within the Ministry of Justice and Institutional Transparency, on the basis of information provided by State institutions responsible for the protection and promotion of human rights in Bolivia.

Additional information relating to the concluding observations (CCPR/C/BOL/CO/4)

3.In accordance with rule 75 (1) of the Committee’s rules of procedure and the request for information on the implementation of the recommendations made in paragraphs 15 (violence against women), 21 (trafficking in persons and forced labour) and 27 (administration of justice), the following response is provided.

I.Violence against women

A.Information relating to paragraph 15 (a)

Prevention

4.The Bolivian State expresses its willingness and firm national commitment to guarantee the promotion and protection of and respect for the fundamental rights of all Bolivians, which are inviolable, universal, interdependent, indivisible and progressive, guaranteeing without any discrimination the free and effective exercise of the rights recognized in the Constitution and international human rights treaties, which prevail over domestic law, in accordance with the body of constitutional law and legislation.

5.To this end, the Government took as its basis for action the Economic and Social Development Plan 2021–2025 (“Rebuilding the Economy for Vivir Bien and Advancing Towards the Import-Substitution Industrialization Process”). Pillar 7 of the Plan is focused on judicial reform, digitalized and transparent public management, comprehensive security and defence with national sovereignty. Goal 7.2. is to strengthen social inclusion and equity programmes for the most vulnerable people, with an emphasis on children, adolescents, older persons and persons with disabilities, taking into account sociocultural diversity, with the objectives of promoting and defending the rights of persons in situations of vulnerability and prioritizing rural areas and remote communities.

6.Goal 7.3. of pillar 7 is to significantly reduce all forms of violence for economic, social, and cultural reasons, with an emphasis on gender-based violence in its various forms, and the fight against human trafficking and smuggling. The objective is to implement comprehensive and effective measures to combat all forms of violence against women, girls, and adolescents forthe Special Anti-Violence Unit, the Comprehensive Municipal Legal Services, the Ombudsman’s offices, the Public Prosecution Service, and the Forensic Investigation Institute.

7.This has guided the public administration at the central level and at the level of the autonomous territorial entities in overcoming outstanding challenges related to decolonization, dismantling the patriarchy, enhancing the quality of the education and health systems, and reforming the justice system, inter alia, through the actions outlined below.

Law enforcement authorities

8.In 2023 and 2024, the Special Anti-Violence Unit, a specialized unit of the Bolivian Police responsible for prevention, assistance and investigation, as well as the identification and arrest of alleged perpetrators of acts of violence against women and family members, under the operational direction of the Public Prosecution Service, in coordination with public and private entities provided training in prevention to 192,473 police officers and 310,067 civilians through 2,056 training activities.

9.The various branches of the Bolivian Police ran awareness-raising and skills training programmes on gender issues and international standards for the protection of women’s human rights, including training activities on action and procedures under Act No. 348 on gender and the protection of human rights. In 2023, 200 activities were conducted and 8,614 police officers were trained, while in 2024 a total of 665 activities were conducted and 2,629 police officers were trained.

Central level

10.Supreme Decree No. 3981 of 15 July 2019 provides for mandatory training in violence prevention for public servants and personnel of State-owned enterprises.

Ministry of Education

11.The Plurinational School of Public Administration is a decentralized entity of the Ministry of Education that contributes to the construction and consolidation of the new public administration of the State through the education and training of public servants at different levels of government – central, departmental and municipal government and Indigenous, original and campesino territorial entities. Within the framework of Supreme Decree No.3981, it has developed content and methodologies for training courses on the prevention of violence with a focus on rights, gender, dismantling the patriarchy and masculinity. In coordination with the Office of the Deputy Minister for Public Safety of the Ministry of the Interior, the Office of the Deputy Minister for Equal Opportunities of the Ministry of Justice and Institutional Transparency, and the Ana María Romero Plurinational Service for Women and for Dismantling the Patriarchy, it has provided human rights training to 103,102 public servants, as detailed below.

Number of participants by type of event and year

Type of event	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024	Total
Specialized course	2 993	30 577	18 435	20 331	19 440	91 776
Short course	474	518	339	180	1 216	2 727
Course		316	307	1 775	154	2 552
Diploma course	1 008	634	104	96		1 842
Seminars, conferences, webinars, discussions	2 944	862	242	109	48	4 205
Total	7 419	32 907	19 427	22 491	20 858	103 102

Source : Report 1030–2/IACHR/SE/MPCT-Art.

Number of participants by gender

Gender	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024	Total
Women	4 786	19 103	8 413	10 951	10 953	54 206
Men	2 633	13 804	11 014	11 540	9905	48 896
Total	7 419	32 907	19 427	22 491	20 858	103 102

Source : Report 1030–2/CIDH/SE/MPCT-Art.

Ministry for Culture, Decolonization and the Dismantling of the Patriarchy

12.The Plurinational Service for Women and for Dismantling the Patriarchy, a decentralized public institution of the Ministry for Culture, Decolonization and the Dismantling of the Patriarchy responsible for monitoring and evaluating compliance with public policies aimed at dismantling the patriarchy to promote the effective exercise of women’s rights, as well as promoting the eradication of all forms of violence and discrimination against women, has organized 34 awareness-raising workshops in La Paz (25), Cochabamba (1), Santa Cruz (3), Oruro (1), Potosí (2), Chuquisaca (1) and Tarija (1) for 1,429 women and 1,616 men from educational units and women’s social organizations. The Service’s budget increased by 30.94 per cent to 969,616.00 bolivianos (Bs) in 2023.

Ministry of Justice and Institutional Transparency

13.The Office of the Deputy Minister for Equal Opportunities introduced the “Company Committed to a Life Free of Violence against Women in the Plurinational State of Bolivia” seal to encourage and recognize companies committed to building an anti-patriarchal culture. In 2023, 12 public and private enterprises received awards: 4 bronze, 5 silver and 3 gold seals.

14.The Plurinational Public Defence Service reported that it had conducted training sessions, workshops and courses on the following topics: legal intervention from a human rights perspective; juvenile criminal justice; drug-dependent persons and the criminalization of drug-dependent persons; international instruments on the protection of the rights of persons deprived of liberty and/or in pretrial detention; the prevention of torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment; human rights and the gender, generational and intercultural perspectives; and the situation of women deprived of liberty for the strengthening of social reintegration with a gender-sensitive and human rights-based approach. An assessment workshop on women deprived of their liberty and human rights was held for public servants in the city of La Paz.

Ministry of the Office of the President

15.The Office of the Deputy Minister for Communications launched a protocol that provides a set of guidelines aimed at standardizing media coverage of gender-based violence against women. It also helps to organize and prioritize the most relevant points on this subject, offering a practical guide on how to approach news stories from a gender perspective.

Judiciary

16.The Gender Committee of the Judiciary and the Plurinational Constitutional Court signed agreements with various government authorities, resulting in the organization of an online international symposium on the gender perspective with an intersectional approach and its inclusion in Latin American constitutional justice, which brought together almost 14,000 registered participants and 14 high-level speakers to reflect on the advances and challenges of Latin American constitutional justice in dealing with cases of gender-based violence.

17.In addition, the following agreements were concluded:

•An agreement with the Universidad Mayor, Real y Pontificia de San Francisco Xavier of Chuquisaca to enable the design, planning and implementation of postgraduate and advanced continuing education programmes through the Centre for Postgraduate Studies and Research, providing training, including refresher and specialist courses, for judicial personnel in the justice system, administrative staff and interested members of the public on gender perspectives. The agreement also covers joint academic research, as well as dissemination, cooperation, promotion and training aimed at ensuring respect for gender equality and the eradication of all forms of discrimination.

•An agreement with the Departmental Directorate of Education of Cochabamba, with the objective of training students in constitutional law and their fundamental rights with a view to preventing the commission of crimes.

•An agreement with the Ombudsman’s Office, with the objective of developing joint actions to promote the realization of individual rights and the protection of vulnerable groups. The main obligations assumed by the parties to the agreement include the establishment of technical committees to coordinate and monitor compliance with recommendations from international and national organizations regarding gender equality and the institutionalization of the gender equality policy in the judiciary and the Plurinational Constitutional Court.

•An agreement with the Council of the Judiciary, within the framework of the institutional policy on gender equality of the judiciary, in order to develop and conduct joint actions related to the strategic pillars of the institutional policy.

18.The Judicial Academy, a specialized, decentralized academic institution under the supervision of the Supreme Court of Justice, whose objective is to contribute to the training and specialization of candidates for the judiciary, as well as the comprehensive training of judicial officials, with the aim of helping to administer justice promptly, competently, effectively and efficiently, launched the courses set out below on the prevention of violence against women.

Courses developed by the Judicial Academy in 2021

No.	Course name	Course objectives	Thematic units
1	Virtual chairs in justice and gender	Identify strengths and weaknesses in the application of the gender perspective for the effective administration of justice for the benefit of women and persons in situations of vulnerability.	Agreements on women for the advancement of human rights at the international level. Relationships based on sorority in the workplace. The intersectional approach to promote equality and non‑discrimination. Women’s parliamentary groups and legislation with a gender perspective. Women’s alliances for decision-making for the common good. Sorority networks to prevent, punish and eradicate violence against women.
2	International webinar on adjudicating with a gender perspective to advance towards effective equality and the national contest for judgments with a gender perspective (fourth edition)	Strengthen the conviction of jurisdictional authorities to apply a gender perspective in the processing and resolution of judicial proceedings. Learn about the most relevant aspects of the theoretical, doctrinal and jurisprudential foundations of the gender perspective and how to incorporate it into court rulings.	The gender perspective as a judicial tool to guarantee equal access to justice. Bolivian experience in adjudication with a gender perspective. Access to justice from a gender perspective.

Courses developed by the Judicial Academy in 2022

No.	Course name	Course objectives	Thematic units
1	The best interests of the child, due process and procedures applicable to protective measures	Promote better administration of justice, through an understanding of the relevance of the best interests of the child for decision-making in all areas of the lives of children and adolescents, particularly in the judicial sphere, as well as the content and interpretation of legal provisions that require consideration of the best interests of the child and its connection with other principles and rights.	Principle of the best interests of the child. The best interests of the child in the protective model and in the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. The best interests of the child in the comprehensive protection doctrine and in the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The threefold nature of the concept of the best interests of the child. Restrictions on the best interests of the child. Analysis of the provisions regulating the best interests of the child in the Convention on the Rights of the Child in: General Comment No. 14 (2013) of the Committee on the Rights of the Child; The Constitution of the Plurinational State of Bolivia; The Code on Family and Family Procedures; The Children and Adolescents Code (Act No. 548). The best interests of the child and non‑discrimination, absolute priority and shared responsibility. The best interests of the child and the rights to survival, development and protection. The best interests of the child and the rights to participate, express opinions and be heard. The principle of progressive realization of rights. Practical guide to hearing the views of children. Guidelines for realizing the best interests of the child. Normative standards and limits on the judge’s discretion. Concept and objectives of normative standards. Analysis of the criteria of general comment No. 14 (2013) of the Committee on the Rights of the Child. Criteria established in article 12 of the Children and Adolescents Code (Act No. 548). Procedural safeguards to ensure that the best interests of the child are upheld. Special reference to the reasoning of decisions. Criteria set forth in the legislation and guidelines of the Latin American region. The best interests of the child in some specific proceedings. Considerations regarding the best interests of the child in proceedings involving adolescents in conflict with the law. The best interests of the child in family institutions: children and adolescents staying in their family of origin. Awarding of custody, adoption.
2	Update on children and adolescents. Rights, safeguards and special procedures for children and adolescents (second edition)	Strengthening the knowledge, skills and attitudes of judges with jurisdiction over matters relating to children and adolescents regarding the scope and scale of the right to family and its connection to the rest of the rights and guarantees of children and adolescents, as well as protection measures to restore this right.	Rights, guarantees, duties and protection of children and adolescents 1.Introduction 2.Importance of constitutional rights and safeguards 3.International instruments that address child protection 4.Principles related to children and adolescents 5.Constitutional rights and guarantees of children and adolescents 6.Access to justice. Specialized treatment of children and adolescents The right to a family 1.Introduction 2.Concept of family and types of family: family of origin (nuclear family, extended family and substitute family) 3.Temporary foster care as an initial step 4.Family reintegration 5.Parental authority and actions arising from improper exercise thereof (common procedure, special procedures) 6.Judicial filiation 7.The right of the parties to obtain legal and factual grounds The substitute family and its institutions 1.Introduction 2.Forms of substitute family: wardship, guardianship and adoption 3.Custody 4.National and intercountry adoption 5.Wardship Standardization of criteria with respect to the legal institutions addressed in the course.
3	Adjudicating with a gender perspective. Sexual offences and assessment of evidence	Strengthening the capacity of judges with jurisdiction to hear cases of sexual violence; acquiring skills, knowledge and attitudes for proper and effective performance in identifying the facts and components of criminal offences, with reference to the principle of legality, in the prosecution of sexual offences through the correct interpretation, substantiation and application of criminal and special legislation on the subject, in relation to human rights, constitutional and procedural guarantees, and the application of a gender perspective.	The gender perspective and the Protocol for Adjudicating with a Gender Perspective 1.Human rights obligations of the State 2.The human rights approach in the interpretation of cases of gender-based violence 3.Equality and non‑discrimination 4.The gender perspective 5.National and international standards for adjudicating with a gender perspective 6.The judiciary’s Protocol for Adjudicating with a Gender Perspective and the arguments for incorporating the human rights approach and the gender perspective in sentencing International and domestic standards applicable to cases of sexual violence 1.Conceptualization, forms and consequences of sexual violence 2.International and constitutional standards on sexual violence 2.1Elements of sexual violence 2.2Guidelines on investigation with due diligence 2.3Special measures adapted to children and adolescents 2.4Avoiding revictimization 2.5Rape as a form of torture 2.6Reinforcing the value assigned to the statements of victims of sexual violence 2.7Access to legal termination of pregnancy, informed consent and confidentiality Offences against sexual freedom 1.Preliminary matters. Types of sexual violence 2.Typical elements of offences against sexual freedom 2.1Sexual assault, rape and child rape 2.2Sexual abuse 2.3Sexual harassment 3.Particularities and characteristics of criminal proceedings in cases of sexual violence (Acts No. 348, No. 1173 and No. 1443) 4.Femicide approached from the point of view of sexual violence Structure, assessment of evidence and full reparation of damages in sentencing for crimes of sexual violence 1.Structure 2.Evaluation of evidence 3.Full reparation for damages in cases of sexual violence 4.Civil indemnification and/or comprehensive reparation for damages 5.Termination of pregnancy due to rape 6.Reparation for damages in cases of sexual violence
			7.Security measures in cases of sexual violence

Courses developed by the Judicial Academy in 2023

No.	Course name	Course objectives	Thematic units
1	Lecture series on human rights	Strengthen the knowledge and conviction of the judicial officers of the ordinary and agricultural and environmental courts, as well as the Constitutional Court, for the protection and effective application of the human rights of people considered to be in vulnerable situations, in the different courts of the justice system in ordinary, agricultural and environmental and constitutional matters.	Rights of children and adolescents Admissibility report No. 225/20, Inter-American Commission on Human Rights
2	Torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment: analysis of updated jurisprudence of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights on Bolivia	Strengthen the skills of justice operators in the prevention, handling and punishment of acts that constitute torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment and provide basic tools for their prosecution in accordance with international human rights standards.	International standards on torture and cruel, inhuman and/or degrading treatment and their application to persons deprived of their liberty Personal integrity and national legislation for the protection of the rights of persons deprived of their liberty and/or in detention The Manual on the Effective Investigation and Documentation of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (Istanbul Protocol) and the Model Protocol for a Legal Investigation of Extra-legal, Arbitrary and Summary Executions (Minnesota Protocol) National preventive mechanism The role of judges and procedural actions
3	The jurisdiction of juvenile and family court judges in matters of termination, suspension, and restoration of maternal and/or paternal authority	Analysing the competencies established for children’s and family judges in the processing of cases involving custody and the termination, suspension and restoration of maternal and/or paternal authority, in accordance with the guidelines established in Acts No. 548 and No. 603 and the relevant case law.	Importance of the best interests of the child Strengthening the use of soft skills General description of the institutions of guardianship and termination of maternal and/or paternal authority Landmark cases Jurisprudence General description of the institutions of suspension and restoration of maternal and/or paternal authority Landmark cases Jurisprudence
4	Implementation of protective and socioeducational measures in the juvenile criminal justice system	Strengthen knowledge of the legal application of protective and socioeducational measures, based on an analysis of the regulations, the context, and the possibilities for coordination and cooperation with local authorities and institutions, so that effective alternatives can be proposed for the protection of the rights and comprehensive development of adolescents.	General and specific principles governing the application of these measures International legal framework Participation of children and adolescents in judicial proceedings Psychosocial considerations related to adolescent delinquent behaviours Differences between responsibility and capacity. Criminal responsibility or lack of criminal responsibility of minors. Capacity or lack of capacity in relation to the principle of culpability. Custodial and non-custodial preventive (provisional) measures Alternative methods of finalizing proceedings, grounds and purpose
5	Best interests of the child: intervention of psychologists in the Gesell chamber in departmental courts of justice	Provide the personnel responsible for the use and management of the Gesell chamber with information and basic tools for the correct use of this resource with a view to protecting victims from possible revictimization.	Best interests of the child; Angulo Losada v. Bolivia judgment General guidelines for the conduct of psychologists in the Gesell chamber Principles governing the use of the Gesell chamber The Gesell chamber as a protective measure Considerations prior to working in the Gesell chamber Participation of psychologists in the Gesell chamber Structure of forensic interviews in the Gesell chamber Intervention in specific communities
6	Adjudicating cases of sexual violence from a gender perspective	Strengthen the capacity of judges with jurisdiction to hear cases of sexual violence; acquire skills, knowledge and attitudes for proper and effective performance in applying the human rights approach, the standards of due diligence and the gender and children’s perspectives.	Standards of due diligence and the gender perspective in the adjudication of cases of gender-based violence Gender-based violence as a form of discrimination International law and gender-based violence The duty to act with due diligence to prevent, investigate, punish and provide redress for gender-based violence against women and key standards The duty to apply the gender and children’s perspectives in international and national regulations The judiciary’s Protocol for Adjudicating with a Gender Perspective and the argumentative process for incorporating the human rights approach and the gender perspective in sentencing Criminal proceedings from a gender perspective: guidelines on inter-institutional care pathways General aspects of the gender perspective in criminal proceedings Principles applicable in cases of gender-based violence Victims’ rights in criminal proceedings Protective measures Provisional measures Alternative solutions The comprehensive solution The trial stage The imposition of penalties and full reparation of the damage Guidelines for the adjudication of sexual violence cases with a gender and intersectional perspective Sexual violence and its various manifestations Access to justice and participation of victims Enhanced due diligence Victim protection and comprehensive support Classification of offences Consent as a central element of the crime of rape Oral and public trials Evaluation of evidence Penalties, aggravating and mitigating factors, sentencing
			Comprehensive reparation

Courses developed by the Judicial Academy in 2024

No.	Course name	Course objectives	Thematic units
1	Protection of the rights of children and adolescents	Strengthen the knowledge and conviction of judicial officers, other justice sector actors and the general public on the protection of the rights of children and adolescents and the differentiated attention they are accorded as a vulnerable population.	Best interests of the child Constitutional protection Special regulations International treaties and conventions Protection of rights under Act No. 348 Compliance with human rights commitments undertaken by the Plurinational State of Bolivia in individual cases
2	Freedom of expression in the framework of human rights	Strengthen the knowledge of judicial officials and the general public in relation to freedom of expression within the framework of human rights in order to enhance the promotion and protection of freedom of expression in all areas of society and especially in the administration of justice.	Holistic approach to freedom of expression. International and national legal framework for freedom of expression. New challenges to freedom of expression on the Internet. Attacks on freedom of expression. The role of the judicial powers/bodies in combating such attacks. Freedom of expression for vulnerable groups. Fundamental aspects of the toolbox for freedom of expression. Legal protection of journalists. Necessary tools for verifying information. International standards relating to freedom of expression and the safety of journalists. Regional jurisprudence
3	Access to justice for older persons within the framework of human rights	Strengthen the knowledge and conviction of judicial officers, other justice sector actors and the general public on the protection of the rights of older persons so as to ensure their access to justice as a priority group.	Act No. 369. Principles, rights, guarantees and duties. Constitutional and treaty provisions Access to justice. Institutional policies for the protection and enforcement of the rights of older persons Analysis of jurisprudence
4	Access to justice for persons with disabilities within the framework of human rights	Strengthen the knowledge and conviction of judicial officers, other justice sector actors and the general public on the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities so as to ensure their access to justice as a priority group.	Constitutional protection and special regulations. International treaties and conventions Realization of access to justice and protection of the rights of persons with disabilities Institutional policies and concrete actions for the protection of rights Analysis of jurisprudence
5	Training course for criminal judges to expand their skills in relation to crimes involving violence against women and corruption	Provide the knowledge and skills necessary for the proper performance of judicial duties in specialized areas relating to violence against women (Act No. 348) and combating corruption (Act No. 004).	Act No. 348 - Violence against women Module 1 General notions of Act No. 348 Module 2 Procedures and protective measures in cases of gender-based violence Module 3 Ordering protective measures for gender-based offences Module 4 Objections and motions in the preparatory stage in cases of gender-based violence. Constitutional jurisprudence Module 5 Analysis of criminal offences from a gender perspective

Departmental level

19.Some of the main actions taken at the departmental level for the prevention of violence against women include the following:

•Cochabamba: Development of the Departmental Information and Statistics System on violence against women; creation of the Departmental Council for the Eradication of Violence against Women and a programme to prevent violence against women and protect and provide support to the victims thereof; and the establishment of the Hope Centre, a shelter that accommodated 128 victims of violence against women between 2020 and 2023.

•Oruro: Implementation of the Departmental Support Programme for Women, Persons with Disabilities, Older Persons and Young People to provide technical support and social, legal and psychological guidance to families living in extreme poverty and the establishment of the Departmental Network to Combat Physical and Psychological Violence.

•Potosí: Opening of Casa del Bienestar, a centre providing comprehensive support services to victims of violence against women and to women at risk of such violence.

•La Paz: Opening of the Villa Victoria and Los Andes shelters, which accommodate 592 victims of violence against women and their dependents.

Municipal level

20.Some of the main actions taken at the municipal level for the prevention of violence against women include the following:

•Tarija: Operation of a multidisciplinary support service for victims of gender-based violence, a counselling, support and psychological therapy programme, a facility where victims of gender-based violence can make oral complaints, and a Gesell chamber; hosting of the Municipal Summit on Women; and implementation of a re‑education programme for men who commit violence.

•El Alto: Development of a support and protection programme for women and a programme for women’s economic empowerment, with the aim of eradicating violence at the local level.

•Cochabamba: Organization of 766 prevention-focused activities as part of the implementation of a project to prevent violence against women and provision of 2,235 therapy sessions through a project designed to offer family, group and individual therapy for victims and aggressors; and opening of the Mujer Águila shelter, which provides temporary accommodation.

•Trinidad: Operation of two facilities to provide accommodation for victims of violence against women.

Protection

21.In terms of protection against violence against women, the Special Office for Combating Violence against Women approved the action plan on combating femicide and gender-based violence, and in response to allegations that the perpetrators of femicide benefited from malfeasance, a commission was set up to review cases of rape and femicide. The commission reviewed 327 cases and took action in criminal enforcement courts nationwide. As a result, 10 of 18 judges were dismissed, 8 prosecutors were investigated and 21 perpetrators of femicide and rape were recaptured.

22.The courts handed down five convictions against judges for the crimes of malfeasance, criminal misstatement, dereliction of duty and consortiums of judges, prosecutors, police officers and lawyers (judgment No. 08/2024 of 28 February 2024, judgment No. 15/2024 of 12 April 2024, judgment No. 063/2024 of 3 July 2024, judgment No. 17/2024 of 17 September 2024, and judgment No. 04/2025 of 12 March 2025), who in their official capacity as judges issued rulings in favour of individuals who were sentenced to prison terms for crimes of violence against women.

23.Financial, technical and human resources have been allocated for the implementation of the Comprehensive Act on Guaranteeing a Life Free from Violence for Women (Act No. 348), which includes the implementation of the guide for the classification of acts of violence in the framework of the Act, aimed at staff of the Special Anti-Violence Unit, the protocol for providing quality and compassionate care in cases of violence, the Genoveva Ríos protocol of the Special Anti-Violence Unit for handling cases in the framework of Act No. 348, the inter-agency pathway, the guide for direct action in cases of violence against women, and the training booklet on the prevention of sexual violence: empowered adolescents and young people.

24.The Special Anti-Violence Force has 131 offices in 91 municipalities, and a 24-hour toll-free national hotline (800140348) has been set up.

25.The judiciary established the Judicial Ombudsman’s Observatory to monitor criminal proceedings in cases of femicide, infanticide and child rape.

26.The inter-agency pathway has been implemented since 2023 to ensure an adequate, immediate and effective response for victims of gender-based violence and to avoid revictimization. A protection programme for victims and witnesses has also been established pursuant to the Act on the Protection of Complainants and Witnesses.

27.In addition, Act No. 1443 of 10 July 2022 provides for mechanisms to protect the rights of victims of femicide, infanticide and child rape, establishes heavier sentences for the offence of malfeasance and broadens the scope of the offence of collusion to include court authorities and judicial officials.,

Punishment

28.As regards measures taken by the State to ensure the proper investigation of crimes of violence against women and the corresponding punishment for offenders, between 2013 and 2023, 59 public courts were set up to deal with cases of violence against women and corruption, and between 2022 and 2023, 19 special courts were set up to deal with violence against women (4 investigating courts and 15 trial courts).

29.In 2024, within the framework of Act No. 1173 of 3 May 2019, the Supreme Court, sitting in plenary, decided to extend the powers of criminal judges in relation to crimes of violence against women and corruption requiring immediate attention in order to improve the work of the judiciary for the benefit of society. Thus, by agreements No. 22/2024 and 24/2024 of February 28 and April 3, respectively, the jurisdiction of 122 criminal investigation judges was expanded to enable them to hear cases involving violence against women and corruption. Subsequently, by plenary agreement No. 28/2024 of 30 April, the jurisdiction of 227 trial courts and criminal trial courts in matters of violence against women and corruption was expanded.

30.In addition, the agreement on inter-agency coordination and cooperation concluded between the Supreme Court, the Ministry of Justice and Institutional Transparency, the Public Prosecution Service, the Ombudsman’s Office and the autonomous municipal governments provides for the creation of spaces for institutional coordination and cooperation in dealing with cases of femicide, infanticide and violence against women and children. The annual budget of the Comprehensive Plurinational System for the Prevention, Handling, Punishment and Eradication of Gender-based Violence was increased from Bs 230,076 in 2020 to Bs 2,284,925 in 2024.

B.Information relating to paragraph 15 (b)

31.The Attorney General’s Office has developed protocols and guidelines for the conduct of investigation processes in which LGBTI+ persons are identified, and it has issued instructions for high-quality and compassionate priority attention to be paid to LGBTI+ persons.

32.The Plurinational Service for Assistance to Victims of the Ministry of Justice and Institutional Transparency has issued a protocol in order to guarantee comprehensive assistance to victims with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities and expressions.

33.The Directorate General of Prisons has adopted a protocol on assisting LGTBIQ+ persons deprived of their liberty, with the objective of providing comprehensive and differentiated support to persons with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities and expressions who are deprived of their liberty or who visit prisons, guaranteeing decent, optimal and equal conditions, free from any form of discrimination.

34.The Plurinational Policy on Decolonization and Dismantling the Patriarchy has been adopted, with the aim of deepening the processes of decolonization and dismantling of the patriarchy in the public administration and wider society. Its objective is to contribute to the consolidation of the Plurinational State, the productive community-based economic and social model for Vivir Bien and the plural identity, creating the conditions for the full exercise of the rights of the Bolivian population, without any type of exclusion or discrimination, and contributing to the reduction of poverty and inequalities.

35.In 2024, the Supreme Court actively participated in the activities of the Gender Committee of the Judiciary, which included the sixth national contest for judgments with a gender perspective, the fifth international webinar on realities from a gender perspective, and the international seminar on weaving intersectionality with a gender perspective. The judiciary announced the creation of the Gender and Human Rights Unit, which is closely involved in awareness-raising and training in gender issues and international standards for the protection of human rights.

C.Information relating to paragraph 15 (c)

36.The judiciary has taken the following measures to ensure the prompt, thorough and impartial investigation of cases of violence against women:

The inter-agency protocol for personal provisional measures and policies to support vulnerable population groups.

•The purpose of this protocol is to provide concrete guidelines to help resolve the problems that judges themselves have indicated are obstacles that prevent them from better carrying out their duties. The protocol therefore focuses on the following areas: meaning and implications of oral hearings; the international and domestic legal framework on pretrial detention; principles and guidelines for the judge’s actions during the hearing; the structure and role of the judge in hearings on provisional measures; an environment conducive to the effective work of the judge; and practical tips for hearings on provisional measures.

•Protocol on adjudication with a gender perspective for the Constitutional Court.

•The protocol setting out legal action lines aimed at identifying patterns of inequality in the impact of decisions issued by judges and the eradication of differential biases between women and men when exercising tutelary, normative and jurisdictional control.

•The institutional gender policy of the Plurinational Constitutional Tribunal.

•The Gender Committee of the Judiciary and the Plurinational Constitutional Court, an advisory body that promotes positive measures to safeguard the equal rights of women and vulnerable population groups, approved the institutional gender policy of the Plurinational Constitutional Court, which seeks to change sociocultural patterns of behaviour between men and women in order to consolidate substantive equality and the prohibition of discrimination established in article 14 (II) of the Constitution.

Manual on the use of the Gesell chamber

37.The Supreme Court has installed 50 Gesell chambers in provinces and capital cities and adopted protocols on a human rights-based approach to criminal proceedings and on the provision of services to users and a manual that helps standardize the correct use of the Gesell chamber by the judiciary. The manual incorporates the following principles: respect for human rights, the best interests of the child, respect for dignity, the rights to confidentiality, privacy and identity, non-discrimination, avoiding revictimization, the right to be informed, respect for the individual’s point of view, and avoiding contact with the alleged aggressor.

38.In addition, the comprehensive public policy for a life of dignity for women is implemented around three strategic pillars: (1) building a culture of a life free from violence for women, (2) building networks of comprehensive specialist services, and (3) building institutions for comprehensive public administration. The purpose of the policy is to operationalize and institutionalize the Comprehensive Plurinational System for the Prevention, Handling, Punishment and Eradication of Gender-based Violence as a specialized mechanism that supports the implementation of Act No. 348.

39.The Office of the Special Prosecutor for Gender-based Crimes and Juvenile Offences of the Public Prosecution Service has developed an action guide for the provision of protection, assistance, security and comprehensive reparation of damages for direct and indirect victims of gender-based violence, which includes guidelines with a differentiated approach that take account of factors such as age, ethnic or racial origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, migration status, disability and socioeconomic situation. The purpose of the guide is to ensure timely and effective action by prosecutors in risk assessment and the implementation of protection measures, taking into account the particularities of each case.

40.Similarly, the Office for the Protection of Victims, Witnesses, and Members of the Public Prosecution Service has issued a guide on protection and assistance for the Unit for the Protection of Victims and Witnesses.

41.In relation to mediation and conciliation processes, the Public Prosecution Service, within the framework of the inter-agency pathway, determines the cases in which conciliation is not appropriate:

•Crimes against children and adolescents, by virtue of the principle of the best interests of the child.

•Harassment and political violence offences (Act No. 243, art. 23).

•Cases in which the public interest is seriously compromised, constitutional rights are violated, or in which repeat or habitual offenders are involved.

42.The Office of the Special Prosecutor for Gender-based Crimes and Juvenile Offences of the Public Prosecution Service applies the following instruments when it comes to the investigation, prosecution and punishment of and provision of reparation in cases of violence:

•Protocol for the investigation, punishment and comprehensive reparation of damages in cases of gender violence.

•Protocol for investigation proceedings for the prosecution of cases provided for in Act No. 243.

•Procedure for the provision of assistance, protection and reparation for victims in line with the Critical Pathway for Gender-based Crimes.

•Prosecutor’s guide to conducting investigations with a gender perspective.

•Manual for the planning and execution of criminal operations under Act No. 348.

•Practical guide to oral trial litigation for prosecutors.

•Guide on the strategic investigation of cases of sexual violence and femicide with a gender perspective.

•Guidelines on the use of investigation kits at murder (violent deaths, femicide and infanticide) crime scenes.

•Protocol on the operational direction of investigations in the first 72 hours following such crimes.

43.The Plurinational Comprehensive System to Prevent, Address, Punish and Eradicate Gender-based Violence is being improved through the establishment of a new Central Register of Violence Cases, which will allow for interoperability among institutions involved in the relevant support pathways.

44.It also relies on the inter-agency pathway, which provides an adequate, immediate, effective and non-revictimizing response to the needs of victims by standardizing the procedures and actions to be undertaken by the various institutions involved in the chain of care in cases of gender-based violence, within the framework of inter-agency collaboration and coordination and the respective functions and responsibilities of each agency in terms of care, protection, investigation, prosecution, punishment and reparation of gender-based violence, as well as follow-up and enforcement of the penalties and security measures applied.

Children and adolescents

45.A committee (technical board) for follow-up and coordination with the relevant sectors has been set up. A total of 31 child and adolescent protection offices have been strengthened, and 19 campaigns on preventing violence and drug use have been organized.

46.In addition, 1 plurinational, 9 departmental and 194 municipal committees on children’s and adolescents’ issues have been formed as social participation bodies.

47.Pursuant to the Child and Adolescent Code, the Office for the Defence of Children and Adolescents and the Public Prosecution Service initiate criminal proceedings in cases of violence against children and adolescents.

48.In 2021, the subcouncil for sectoral and intersectoral coordination for the comprehensive protection of child and adolescent victims of sexual violence was created to develop standards, policies and programmes related to sexual violence against children and adolescents. The National Commission for Inter-Agency Coordination and Cooperation was also set up to implement public policies for the prevention of infanticide and sexual violence.

49.A guide was developed on media coverage of cases of sexual violence against children and adolescents, with guidelines on reporting on cases of violence.

D.Information relating to paragraph 15 (d)

50.The Ministry of Justice and Institutional Transparency presented a bill on the fulfilment of international human rights commitments (PL 137/2023–2024), which would modify, incorporate and repeal provisions on criminal offences in accordance with ratified international human rights instruments and with the recommendations and rulings of international bodies.

51.The bill introduces provisions on crimes against humanity, war crimes and armed aggression, extralegal executions and hate crimes. It would introduce amendments to the following offences in the Criminal Code: trafficking in persons (art. 281 bis), racism (art. 281 quinquies), discrimination (art. 281 sexies), dissemination and incitement to racism or discrimination (art. 281 septies), holding in slavery or a similar state (art. 291), enforced disappearance (art. 292 bis), rape (art. 308) and child rape (art. 308 bis). The bill would abolish the criminal offence of statutory rape (Criminal Code, art. 310).

E.Information relating to paragraph 15 (e)

52.The Plurinational Service for Assistance to Victims, a decentralized public institution under the Ministry of Justice and Institutional Transparency with responsibility for providing legal assistance in criminal, psychological and social matters to low-income victims, provides free comprehensive assistance to families that have been the victims of violence, promoting the reparation of damages, avoiding revictimization, and providing financial support to women victims of crimes of violence or gender discrimination, as shown in the table below.

53.The Office of the Deputy Minister for Equal Opportunities, acting within its sphere of competence, has conducted the following studies on the situation of violence against women in Bolivia:

No.	Study	Description
1	Situation of violence against women in Bolivia	This study was part of one of the stages of the participatory process of drafting the bill to strengthen the Comprehensive Act on Guaranteeing a Life Free from Violence for Women (Act No. 348). The third part of the study examines the current situation of the Special Anti-Violence Unit, the Public Prosecution Service Office, the judiciary and investigative institutions as an approximation of reality. The fourth part of the report addresses issues of concern to women and the general public that were raised during the plural listening process.
2	Situational analysis of 134 municipalities	In 2023, a situational analysis of the comprehensive municipal legal services and the offices for the defence of children and adolescents was carried out in 134 municipalities, with the institutional involvement of the entities that make up the inter-agency pathway (the Public Prosecution Service, the judiciary and the Special Anti-Violence Unit of the Bolivian Police), with budget allocation and execution by the autonomous municipal governments. On that basis, the Network Management Model was built with the participation of key actors as a strategy to combat violence, implemented through the organization, administration and provision of services based on coordination, cooperation and agreement between the central Government, the departments and the autonomous territorial entities. The following findings were made with respect to the care provided to women in situations of violence: Of the 134 municipalities, 19 per cent have the comprehensive municipal legal service and the office for the defence of children and adolescents operating independently, each with their own staff, 13 per cent are partially merged in that they operate separately but share one or two members of their multidisciplinary team of professionals, and 68 per cent are fully merged in that the same staff work for both the comprehensive municipal legal service and the office for the defence of children and adolescents. Sixty-seven per cent of autonomous municipal governments have a complete multidisciplinary team, 17 per cent have an incomplete team and 16 per cent have only a single-person team, which means they cannot provide comprehensive assistance to victims, as required under the applicable regulations. Thirty-nine percent of the personnel of the comprehensive municipal legal services are psychologists, 35 per cent are social workers and 26 per cent are lawyers. Eighty-seven percent of the autonomous municipal governments did not register cases of violence against women in the Central Register of Violence Cases.
		Fifty-four percent of the autonomous municipal governments did not apply any protocol for comprehensive assistance to victims of violence.

Source : Office of the Deputy Minister for Equal Opportunities, note MJTI-VIO-NI-Z- 133-2024 of 27 December 2024.

54.The Office of the Deputy Minister for Equal Opportunities has worked on the following policies, plans and programmes aimed at overcoming the challenges identified with respect to the situation of violence against women in Bolivia:

No.	Policy, plan and/or programme	Description
1	Bill to strengthen the Comprehensive Act on Guaranteeing a Life Free from Violence for Women (Act No. 348)	This legislative proposal is based on three fundamental pillars: 1. Management model: Concurrent jurisdiction is established so that all levels of government assume specific responsibilities, coordinate and collaborate through local, departmental and national networks, which are part of the functional network in which all the State’s efforts to prevent, address and punish violence against women converge. 2. Administrative penalty system: This completely eliminates the possibility of reconciliation, seeking to ensure that victims receive immediate attention when they first approach the State. To this end, concurrent jurisdiction is established to prevent violence against women and to protect and provide support to the victims thereof, within the framework of article 297 (II) of the Constitution and article 72 of Act No. 031 of 19 July 2010, the Andrés Ibáñez Framework for Autonomy and Decentralization. 3. Article 123 of the bill establishes that the Council of the Judiciary, in coordination with the Supreme Court, shall guarantee that all criminal courts and tribunals in all judicial districts hear cases of violence against women, acting as courts of investigation and criminal trial courts. Article 7 provides that for the designation, appointment or recruitment to public office related to the protection of women and the handling, investigation and punishment of cases of violence against women, training or proven experience in human rights, women’s rights and the prevention of violence will also be required.
		In March 2023, the legislative proposal was submitted to the Plurinational Legislative Assembly. Despite coordination haven taken place with the Assembly, it relegated consideration of the bill.

Source : Office of the Deputy Minister for Equal Opportunities, note MJTI-VIO-NI-Z-133-2024 of 27 December 2024.

55.As a result of the situational analysis of the 134 municipalities, the Network Management Model was developed, which seeks to articulate, through local networks, the public, private and community authorities and services for the prevention of violence and the care and protection of women and children in situations of violence. It aims to optimize and strengthen institutions, guarantee access to services, and develop prevention policies that ensure the right to a life free from violence for women and children throughout the Plurinational State of Bolivia.

56.The implementation of the Network Management Model involves a comprehensive approach that comprises measures for prevention, response, protection, investigation, punishment and comprehensive reparation. As a result of its application, the results described below have been achieved.

57.In 2024, 11 local networks for the prevention of, response to and protection against violence were set up through intergovernmental agreements linking 61 municipalities in 3 departments of the country:

(1) Chichas local network: Cotagaita, Vitichi, Tupiza, Atocha, Villazón, San Antonio de Esmoruco and the autonomous government of the Department of Potosí. (2) Rafael Bustillos local network: Llallagua, Chuquihuta Ayllu Jucumani, Uncía and Chayanta. (3) Local network of the Litoral grouping of municipalities: Escara, Esmeralda, Yunguyo de Litoral, Cruz de Machacamarca and Huachacalla. (4) Western local network: Toledo, Corque, Choquecota, Santiago de Andamarca, Belén de Andamarca and Turco. (5) Yungas local network: Chulumani, Yanacachi, La Asunta, Coroico and Coripata. (6) Guardians of the Border local network: Sabaya, Coipasa, La Rivera, Carangas, Todos Santos and Gaioc Uru Chipaya. (7) Southern Altiplano local network: Sica Sica (Villa Aroma), Ayo Ayo, Calamarca, Patacamaya, Collana, Colquencha and Umala. (8) Chayanta local network: Colquechaca, San Pedro de Macha, Ravelo and Ocurí. (9) Caine-Far North local network: San Pedro de Buena Vista, Acasio and Caripuyo. (10) Gran Tierra de los Lipez local network: Uyuni, Colcha “K” (Villa Martín), San Agustín, Porco, San Pedro de Quemes, Llica, Tahua and San Pablo de Lípez. (11) Central Region local network: Ckochas, Potosí, Tinguipaya, Yocalla, Tacobamba, Caiza “D” and Belen de Urmiri.

58.In addition, a sectoral and intersectoral council on violence-free living has been set up, and prevention, support and budget commissions have been established.

59.In accordance with article 4 of Supreme Decree No. 3774 of 16 January 2019, as amended by Supreme Decree No. 4958 of 14 June 2023, the Ana María Romero Plurinational Service for Women and for Dismantling the Patriarchy monitors and evaluates compliance with regulations and public policies aimed at dismantling the patriarchy, with special emphasis on social support for women, girls, adolescents, older women, women deprived of their liberty, women with disabilities and others in vulnerable situations.

60.Within this framework, the Plurinational Service for Women and for Dismantling the Patriarchy is conducting a study on cases covered by Act No. 348 in relation to the punishment of aggressors, which will identify:

•The reasons for which prosecutors, by resolution, have rejected complaints, lawsuits or police procedures in cases of femicide.

•The number of cases of femicide or attempted femicide that have been dismissed, challenged, overturned or upheld.

•Cases in which the criminal definition of femicide or attempted femicide has been modified and the legal reasoning applied.

61.In addition, in order to promote women’s empowerment with a focus on dismantling the patriarchy, the Plurinational Service for Women and for Dismantling the Patriarchy has developed the following guides and programmes:

•The Guide for Municipal Autonomous Governments on the Prevention of and Response to Digital Violence.

•The Programme for the Economic Empowerment of Women with an approach based on dismantling the patriarchy.

•A communication policy to guarantee the full exercise of women’s land rights.

•A masculinities and gender training programme.

•A programme on sexist practices in the family.

62.The Government launched the Contigo desde tus Inici0-5 Plurinational Public Policy for the Comprehensive Development of Early Childhood Education, adopted through Supreme Decree No. 4980, whose action lines include emergency care for children up to 5 years of age who are victims of sexual or family violence.

63.The Plurinational Public Policy on the Prevention of Abandonment and the Right of Children and Adolescents to Live in a Family, adopted through Supreme Decree No. 5214, establishes an action line to prevent violence against children and adolescents in the family and/or community environment.

64.The Multisectoral Plan for the Comprehensive Development of Children and Adolescents, adopted through Ministerial Resolution No. MJTI-DGAJ-RM-Z-33-2023 of 22 February 2023, focuses on the problem of violence against children and adolescents (Multisectoral Comprehensive Development Plan 2021–2025) and sets out actions aimed at eradicating all types of violence against children and adolescents from the central level. It is intended to become a reference for the implementation of actions with the autonomous departmental governments, autonomous municipal governments, autonomous Indigenous, original and campesino governments, and others according to the needs identified in each territory.

65.The Vivir Bien Multisectoral Comprehensive Development Plan for Preventing and Combating Gender-based and Generational Violence 2021–2025 is being implemented.

66.The Special Office for Combating Violence against Women has adopted an action plan to combat femicide and gender-based violence.

67.The Vivir Bien Multisectoral Comprehensive Development Plan for Children and Adolescents 2021–2025 includes actions to eradicate violence against children and adolescents and joint actions with the autonomous territorial entities.

II.Trafficking in persons and forced labour

A.Information relating to paragraph 21 (a)

68.Act No. 263 of 31 July 2012 promulgated the Comprehensive Act on Human Trafficking and Smuggling, which is still in force. According to article 1, the purpose of the Act is to combat trafficking in persons and related offences, guarantee the fundamental rights of victims through the consolidation of measures and mechanisms for protection against and the prevention, handling, prosecution and criminal punishment of these offences.

69.At the first ordinary session of the Plurinational Council on Human Trafficking and Smuggling, held in April 2022, the members unanimously adopted the 2021–2025 Plurinational Policy against Trafficking in Persons, Smuggling of Migrants and Related Offences, which was developed from a broad and inclusive perspective, in line with the international commitments undertaken by the Plurinational State of Bolivia and international standards, taking into account the gender, generational, intercultural and human rights approaches, from a coherent perspective aimed at achieving Vivir Bien, in compliance with article 10 (1) of the Comprehensive Act on Human Trafficking and Smuggling (Act No. 263).

70.The Plurinational Policy reflects the Government’s commitment to addressing and combating crimes that affect the human rights of the Bolivian population, setting out guidelines to steer the actions to be carried out during the five-year period from 2021 to 2025. With this in mind, the Plurinational Policy establishes the following strategic guidelines aimed at alleviating the problems identified: 1. Manage international cooperation in the fight against trafficking in persons, related offences and the illegal smuggling of migrants. 2. Strengthen migration and border control and the corresponding regulatory framework. 3. Prevent the recruitment of victims of trafficking in persons and related offences. 4. Implement mechanisms for the support of victims of trafficking in persons and related offences. 5. Support migrants in an irregular situation within the framework of respecting and guaranteeing their human rights. 6. Institutional strengthening for the prosecution and punishment of trafficking in persons, related offences and migrant smuggling.

71.These strategic guidelines are reflected in concrete actions to be undertaken by the members of the Plurinational Council, in their areas of competence, in the activity plans that are drawn up at the beginning of each year and reported annually to the Chamber of Deputies of the Plurinational Legislative Assembly.

B.Information relating to paragraph 21 (c)

72.On 14 and 15 March 2024, with the support of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and in coordination with the State Prosecutors Academy, the Public Prosecution Service ran a course on techniques, patterns and trends in the development of parallel financial investigations related to the laundering of illicit gains and the financing of terrorism, with the participation of prosecutors specialized in human trafficking and smuggling.

73.On 28 August 2024, a meeting was held with the Public Prosecution Service of Chile and prosecutors from Oruro concerning the joint investigation team set up in the Tren de Aragua case, during which information was exchanged and guidelines were drawn up for the investigation of the relevant cases.

74.In September 2024, work was carried out on drafting a protocol for handling cybertip reports and setting up a specialized unit for the management and handling of child sexual abuse material, which is now well established. From 9 to 11 September, staff from the Public Prosecution Service participated in the ninth meeting of the Ibero-American Network of Specialized Prosecutors against Trafficking in Persons and the Smuggling of Migrants, the objective of which was to promote joint actions and criminal policy tools that enable public prosecutors to respond to organized crime, based on the exchange of experiences and good practices on specific issues and coordination for the active participation of public prosecutors in regional operations.

75.Within the framework of the agreement concluded with the non-governmental organization (NGO) Educo through its programme with the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children, as of July 2023, cybertip reports have been received with real-time information on the occurrence of illicit acts of a sexual nature and illicit trafficking in and smuggling of minors. As of September 2024, 10 legal proceedings had been initiated based on these reports.

76.On 20 September, a meeting of prosecutors specialized in human trafficking and smuggling was held in the city of Sucre, providing the opportunity to identify good and bad practices in the processing of cases and to issue specific guidelines and directives.

77.On 22 October 2024, a meeting was held with experts from the Europe-Latin America Programme of Assistance against Transnational Organized Crime (PAcCTO) to learn about the situation of the specialized multidisciplinary investigation teams and assess the possibility of carrying out operations in border areas.

78.In 2024, by way of follow-up, the following on-site inspections were carried out at the specialized prosecutor’s offices in the area: Santa Cruz, 9–11 May; La Paz, 15–17 May; Cochabamba, 22–23 May; Chuquisaca, 28–29 May; Oruro, 6 June; Potosí, 7 June; Tarija, 12 June; Beni, 13 June and Pando, 27–28 June.

79.The purpose of these inspections was to ensure that prosecutors were complying with specialized protocols and that the persons involved in judicial proceedings were being treated fairly, appropriately and in accordance with applicable regulations. Observations made during the inspections were documented and used to adjust and improve ongoing policies and procedures, thus ensuring effective prosecutorial management that respects rights.

80.The Attorney General’s Office prepared an operational plan to identify possible victims of human trafficking and smuggling, which was executed simultaneously in all departmental capitals and border cities through 21 operations from 19 to 22 December 2024.

81.The Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Welfare organized 18 training workshops, 17 discussions and 9 training sessions through learning platforms. It also carried out 140 social and labour inspections and set up 7 mobile offices focusing on human trafficking and smuggling.

C.Information relating to paragraph 21 (c)

Ministry of Justice and Institutional Transparency

82.As a preventive step, the Ministry of Justice and Institutional Transparency organized awareness-raising workshops in all nine departments to assess the implementation of plurinational policy through training on combating human trafficking and smuggling.

83.In coordination with relevant stakeholders and pursuant to article 12 of Comprehensive Act No. 263 on Human Trafficking and Smuggling, awareness-raising workshops were organized to assess the implementation of plurinational policy through training on combating trafficking and smuggling. Priority was given to border municipalities and remote areas, including Soberanía and Filadelfia (Department of Pando), Desaguadero and Pisiga (Department of La Paz), Puerto Suárez and Puerto Quijarro (Department of Santa Cruz), Rurrenabaque and San Borja (Department of Beni) and Huayllamarca (Department of Oruro). In coordination with the departmental councils, a total of 19 workshops were organized, benefiting 893 participants.

84.Best practices in the areas of prevention, protection and care, prosecution and criminal sanctions were systematized using a nationally coordinated methodology developed with the departmental councils. Data were collected in person and electronically, enabling category-specific analysis across the four areas indicated.

85.On 30 July 2024, to mark World Day against Trafficking in Persons, a nationwide event was held with the participation of the institutions comprising the Plurinational Council on Human Trafficking and Smuggling. The activity took the form of peaceful street demonstrations throughout the country, organized in coordination with the departmental councils and public institutions, without disrupting vehicular traffic.

86.The Ninth National Meeting of Departmental Councils against Human Trafficking and Smuggling was held on 9 and 10 May 2024, with the participation of their designated representatives. During the Meeting, approved departmental plans – developed within the framework of public policies derived from the Plurinational Policy against Trafficking in Persons, Smuggling of Migrants and Related Offences – were presented, along with progress in prevention and victim protection and assistance at the local level.

87.The Tenth National Meeting of Departmental Councils against Human Trafficking and Smuggling was held on 28 and 29 August 2024, showcasing best practices developed in each department and activities undertaken to raise public awareness.

88.Informational material on combating trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants, including videos, radio broadcasts and artistic content, were disseminated nationwide. The Ministry of Justice and Institutional Transparency also manages a multimedia platform that facilitates coordination within the Plurinational Council on Human Trafficking and Smuggling and coordination at the departmental level. It also offers self-paced training courses for public officials on trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants through the learning platform Moodle.

89.In August 2024, a training session with international experts was held to strengthen the departmental councils, focusing on strategies to combat trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants, bringing together over 100 participants with the aim of contributing to institutional capacity-building through the exchange of experiences.

90.To strengthen training from a comprehensive perspective, three activities were organized in coordination with the three agencies of the Directorate General for Access to Justice and Fundamental Rights, targeting senior law students. The events were attended by senior officials and professors from Universidad Real Pontificia San Francisco Xavier de Chuquisaca in Sucre, Universidad Autónoma del Beni in Trinidad and Universidad Misael Saracho in Tarija, reaching more than 500 students across the three topics.

Regional Platform against Trafficking in Persons and the Smuggling of Migrants

91.In 2024, the Plurinational State of Bolivia assumed the pro tempore presidency of the Regional Platform against Trafficking in Persons and the Smuggling of Migrants, which promotes coordination and cooperation among 10 South American countries (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela). The Platform serves as a forum for sharing best practices, building capacities and advancing joint initiatives to enhance prevention, detection, prosecution, judicial processes and victim assistance and protection, with a gender-sensitive and human rights-based approach.

92.During its pro tempore presidency, Bolivia advanced strategic actions to strengthen regional cooperation in combating trafficking in persons and migrant smuggling, achieving significant progress in enhancing the operability and sustainability of the Platform. Two virtual meetings were organized, and the Third Plenary Meeting of the Platform was held in person in the city of La Paz from 25 to 27 November, with the participation of representatives and focal points from the 10 member countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. The Meeting focused on sharing experiences and best practices to reinforce international coordination and cooperation through the implementation of actions under the 2024 work plan.

Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Welfare

93.The Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Welfare conducted national training workshops on trafficking in persons for the purpose of labour exploitation, reaching a total of 1,037 participants. In addition, four discussion forums on this topic were held.

94.Another development is the adoption of Supreme Decree No. 5266 of 6 November 2024 and the Regulations on Private Employment Agencies and Related Activities.

Ministry of Education

95.The Ministry of Education reported that, during the Third Meeting of the Plural Theatre for Students with Intellectual Disabilities, activities were carried out to promote the prevention of violence and human trafficking and smuggling. In addition, a prevention course on these crimes was conducted in accordance with Act No. 263, accompanied by related awareness-raising activities in alternative education centres.

96.It also reported on the implementation of the curriculum by teachers through strategic activities focused on preventing human trafficking and smuggling. Comprehensive Act No. 263 on Human Trafficking and Smuggling was disseminated, and work is under way to develop an educational guide and organize training workshops for computer science teachers on the safe use of the Internet and information and communication technologies, as part of efforts to prevent new forms of recruitment.

Ministry of the Interior

97.The Directorate General of Migration under the Ministry of the Interior is implementing the Operational Plan for Migration Control at strategic locations, including along alternate routes, unauthorized crossing points, checkpoints, highways, bus terminals, lodging facilities and other areas, with the aim of identifying and regularizing the status of foreign nationals in an irregular situation within the Plurinational State of Bolivia. It also coordinates with the bodies and institutions that comprise the National Public Safety System, within the framework of the National Public Safety Plan and the Plurinational Plan to Combat Human Trafficking and Smuggling.

98.The following table presents the number of operations conducted between January and September 2024, based on reports submitted on the activities carried out by the Directorate General of Migration.

Activities by the Directorate General of Migration (January–September 2024)

Department	January	February	March	April	May	June	July	August	September
Beni	117	109	103	131	95	110	87	109	111
Tarija	92	107	114	129	111	116	80	111	108
La Paz	70	92	77	104	95	83	93	109	88
Santa Cruz	59	120	103	89	94	101	81	101	31
Potosí	79	65	70	75	65	71	76	79	79
Oruro	40	56	34	46	27	36	60	35	56
Cochabamba	33	56	43	44	30	34	37	17	0
Chuquisaca	38	35	41	38	36	46	41	44	43
Pando	68	31	54	7	30	109	125	51	44

Source : Directorate General of Migration, September 2024.

99.The Directorate General for Combating Human Trafficking and Smuggling under the Ministry of the Interior, through the Office of the Deputy Minister for Public Safety, held outreach meetings with the Bolivian Police to present the “Alerta Juliana” system for the search for and location of missing persons.

100.A prevention-based strategy to promote the oversight and responsible, safe use of digital platforms was also implemented, leading to the creation of the “Navego Segur@” training and specialization platform. In addition, a study was carried out on the use of digital platforms by Bolivian children and adolescents and on the nature of parental guidance in that regard, along with a targeted communication campaign to raise awareness and foster understanding.

101.The Protocol and Manual for Police Investigations Using Open-Source Digital Information were approved, as was a proposal to amend existing regulations to introduce new offences into Bolivian law.

102.The Directorate General for Combating Human Trafficking and Smuggling developed the Standardized Protocol for the Registration of Missing Persons for use under the “Alerta Juliana” system. The Protocol was submitted to the National Police Command and approved through Administrative Resolution No. 0300/2024 of 11 November 2024.

103.The Protocol for Assistance to Migrants focuses on the protection of human rights, the prevention of revictimization, the safeguarding of confidentiality and the provision of comprehensive, individualized assistance, in accordance with the Migration Act (No. 370) of 8 May 2013.

Office of the Ombudsman

104.On 10 July 2024, the Office of the Ombudsman held a training session on the prevention of trafficking in persons for officials of the Bolivian Police at the Office’s auditorium, with 48 participants. In September, October and November, information and awareness-raising sessions on the prevention of and fight against trafficking in persons and related offences were conducted. Educational materials were provided for these activities, including a background document for the sessions, core training material, PowerPoint presentations and a documentary video on trafficking in persons.

105.The Office of the Ombudsman also produced educational and awareness-raising materials on trafficking in persons, which were shared through the Office’s social media accounts throughout September, with special emphasis on 23 September, the National Day against Human Trafficking and Smuggling.

106.In 2024, the Office of the Ombudsman organized an online course entitled “Preventing and Combating Trafficking in Persons” for public officials from the municipalities of Bermejo, Villazón and Yacuiba, within the framework of the Bolivia-Argentina Binational Road Map. The course began on 18 November 2024 and was delivered through an online education platform, with a total of 385 registered participants.

107.With regard to advocacy efforts to address cases of trafficking in persons and strengthen the trafficking and smuggling units of the Crime Squad of the Bolivian Police, the Office of the Ombudsman prepared a report on the results of the monitoring of those units. The report was presented to the plenary of the Plurinational Council on Human Trafficking and Smuggling at its third ordinary session, held on 26 December 2024.

108.A message containing recommendations for the prevention of trafficking in persons was widely disseminated through social media and is available at the following links:

•https://www.facebook.com/share/r/15apvpkgnw/

•https://www.facebook.com/share/r/18AzuY3ZXU/

•https://www.facebook.com/share/r/19bb6Y7swF/https://www.facebook.com/share/r/18EYAmRdgq/

109.The Supreme Court of Justice, in coordination with the Munasim Kullakita Foundation and the NGO Fundación Educación y Cooperación Bolivia, organized a competition for the production of short videos, known as “reels”, and opinion articles, as well as a discussion forum on combating trafficking in persons. Participants produced and edited 10 reels, which were published on the official Facebook page of the Supreme Court. The initiative aimed to educate and raise public awareness about trafficking in persons through the dissemination of information on the Court’s official Facebook page.

110.A discussion forum on combating human trafficking and smuggling was held on Wednesday 20 November 2024 on the premises of the Supreme Court, with the participation of around 100 officials of the Court and members of civil society. The topics addressed included: (1) the legal and regulatory framework; (2) challenges in identifying and supporting victims; and (3) prevention and education strategies.

111.The Judicial Academy, the body specializing in training within the judiciary under the supervision of the Supreme Court, organized Conference No. 8, entitled “Actions for the Prevention and Punishment of Human Trafficking and Smuggling,” as part of its 2024 training plan, addressing the following topics: (1) trafficking in persons as a complex phenomenon; (2) the links between human trafficking and smuggling, gender-based violence and the commercial sexual exploitation of children and adolescents; (3) trafficking in persons and human mobility in situations of armed conflict; (4) the use of a gender perspective in understanding and adjudicating cases; and (5) support for and protection of victims.

112.In the area of prevention, Fundación Educación y Cooperación carried out activities to support the Bolivian Police in the implementation of the INTERPOL International Child Sexual Exploitation Database, which facilitates rapid online searches for cases involving the sexual abuse and exploitation of children and adolescents.

International organizations

113.As part of prevention efforts, UNODC organized a training course for prosecutors specializing in trafficking in persons and related offences, with a focus on asset investigations linked to such cases, specifically the laundering of illicit proceeds derived from trafficking in persons and the smuggling of migrants. The course was held on 8 and 9 March at the Prosecutors Academy in Sucre and was attended by 40 trainee prosecutors from the 2024 cohort. It spanned two full days and featured the participation of an expert from the UNODC office in Colombia, Ms. Juana García, who shared her knowledge and experience on the subject.

114.In coordination with the Financial Investigation Unit, UNODC carried out a sectoral study focusing on trafficking in persons and the smuggling of migrants in relation to the laundering of illicit proceeds. Following an initial assessment and meetings with key stakeholders, the information was systematized for inclusion in a report. In addition, the Guide on Money-Laundering Offences was updated, as several of the identified offences were found to be related to trafficking in persons and the smuggling of migrants.

Non-governmental organizations

115.The Munasim Kullakita Foundation reported that, in compliance with articles190–192 of Act No. 548 containing the Children and Adolescents Code and article 26 of the Constitution, a call was issued to the 87 municipalities of the Department of La Paz to take part in the Assembly for the Establishment of the Departmental Committee of Children and Adolescents of La Paz. The Assembly was held on 13 November 2023, with the participation of the presidents and vice-presidents of the municipal committees of children and adolescents. A boy and a girl from each municipality took part, ensuring gender parity and equity, with representatives from 56 municipalities across the department’s seven regions actively participating. The children and adolescents present at the Assembly democratically elected their departmental representatives. In total, 112 representatives from 56 municipalities took part in the vote, electing 21 representatives from 18 municipalities to serve as members of the Committee of Children and Adolescents, who act as the spokespersons for children and adolescents.

D.Information relating to paragraph 21 (d)

116.Among the measures adopted to ensure the allocation of financial, technical and human resources for the prevention, suppression and punishment of trafficking in persons is the implementation of article 7 of Comprehensive Act No. 263 against Comprehensive Act on Human Trafficking and Smuggling of 31 July 2012. That article provides for the establishment of the Plurinational Council on Human Trafficking and Smuggling as the highest coordinating body in this area. The Council is chaired by the Ministry of Justice and Institutional Transparency and composed of the following entities: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the Ministry of the Interior, including the Directorate General for Combating Human Trafficking and Smuggling and the Bolivian Police; the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Welfare; the Ministry of Education; the Office of the Deputy Minister for Communication of the Ministry of the Office of the President; the Ministry of Health and Sports; the Ministry of Development Planning; the Ministry of Economy and Public Finance; the Public Prosecution Service; the Office of the Ombudsman; and civil society organizations. The Council is responsible for coordinating the formulation, approval and implementation of the plurinational policy to combat those crimes, including measures for prevention, protection, assistance and punishment.

117.In accordance with the applicable regulations, the Plurinational Council meets three times a year in ordinary sessions and as often as necessary in extraordinary sessions. In 2024, three ordinary sessions and one extraordinary session were held, during which a number of recommendations were adopted and subsequently taken up and implemented in the course of later meetings.

E.Information relating to paragraph 21 (e)

118.Within the framework of a project to support the implementation of public policy on trafficking in persons and the smuggling of migrants, aimed at strengthening the role of the departmental councils in relation to this issue, and with the support of the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation, the Ministry of Justice and Institutional Transparency developed guidelines for the nationwide establishment of specialized shelters for victims of trafficking in persons and related offences. The guidelines serve as a national model, bearing in mind that each department is responsible for ensuring the availability of shelters for victims of trafficking.

119.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs approved the Consular Protocol for the Assistance of Nationals Who Are Victims of Human Trafficking Abroad on 26 July 2024 and prepared an assessment of the implementation of that protocol by consular offices and sections. These two instruments constitute important tools for the care and protection of victims abroad.

120.On 10 May 2024, an information session on the protocols for assisting nationals who are victims of human trafficking abroad and Bolivian women who are victims of gender-based violence abroad was held virtually via Zoom for consular offices. Additional training sessions on the subject were also organized for consular offices abroad.

121.The Directorate General for Combating Human Trafficking and Smuggling, under the Ministry of the Interior, developed the Guide for the Early Identification of Victims of Human Trafficking for Migration Authorities and the “Safe Route” toolbox, a set of six technical resources designed to assist migration and border control personnel in identifying and responding to potential cases of trafficking in persons and the smuggling of migrants.

122.The Protocol and Manual for Police Investigation Using Open-Source Digital Information were developed.

123.The Bolivian Police developed strategic guidance for the prevention of and response to cases of trafficking in persons, related offences and the smuggling of migrants in the border municipality of Desaguadero. In 2024, the Bolivian Police also participated in an exchange of best practices during the Meeting of Senior Police Officials and Specialized Units of Bolivia and Peru.

124.With regard to efforts to strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation in operations against human trafficking and smuggling, the Bolivian Police reported on Operational Plan No. 007/2024, known as “La Vuelta,” a regional operation with global reach coordinated by the Police Community of the Americas. Its objective is to identify, pursue and dismantle criminal networks involved in trafficking in persons and to rescue potential victims.

125.Within the framework of the operation, the Police Community of the Americas, together with personnel from the Desaguadero Crime Squad, carried out checks on individuals crossing the border on foot, in line with recommendations on the protection of children and adolescents.

126.On the basis of a bilateral agreement between the Plurinational State of Bolivia and the Republic of Peru, dated 23 June 2015, aimed at strengthening action against trafficking in persons, the smuggling of migrants and related offences, the Bolivia-Peru road map was agreed upon and is pending signature.

127.The “Secure Border” plan was implemented between Bolivia and Brazil and an integrated border office was set up to support border operations. Activities included checks on minors; training for 300 migration officers and airline personnel; coordination among stakeholders for the identification of cases of trafficking in persons, preventive patrols, operations and information exchange; and the organization of training sessions on approaches to addressing trafficking in persons and the smuggling of migrants at the border. In addition, 14,610 migration control operations were carried out in border municipalities to identify cases of trafficking in persons.

128.At present, a cooperation agreement between the Plurinational State of Bolivia and the Federative Republic of Brazil to strengthen action against trafficking in persons, the smuggling of migrants and related offences is in force, the road map for which will be developed following its approval by the congress of the latter country.

129.In addition, a memorandum of understanding signed between the Ministry of the Interior of the Plurinational State of Bolivia and the Ministry of the Interior of Chile, together with a framework agreement on inter-institutional cooperation between the Office of the Attorney General of the State and the Public Prosecution Service of Chile, provides for the coordination of preventive actions against trafficking in persons.

130.An agreement between the Plurinational State of Bolivia and the Republic of Paraguay to strengthen action against trafficking in persons and related offences has also been adopted, and the corresponding road map for its implementation is currently under review by both countries.

131.Likewise, a memorandum of understanding has been concluded between the Government of the Plurinational State of Bolivia and the Government of the United Mexican States on cooperation to strengthen action against trafficking in persons and the smuggling of migrants.

132.The agreement between the Plurinational State of Bolivia and the Kingdom of Spain on cooperation in combating human trafficking and smuggling, crime and security remains in force.

133.The framework agreement between the Argentine Republic and the Plurinational State of Bolivia on the prevention and investigation of trafficking in persons and on assistance for and the protection of victims remains in force, and efforts are under way to renew the corresponding road map.

Case management

134.In accordance with the applicable regulations, the Public Safety Observatory is responsible for systematizing data on cases under investigation for alleged acts of human trafficking and smuggling. Information from monthly reports submitted by the Bolivian Police is consolidated and verified in a database, where such cases are classified under the group of offences known as “offences of high social impact.” This group includes the category “trafficking in and smuggling of persons”, which covers the offences of trafficking in persons, smuggling of persons, pornography, procuring and commercial sexual violence. The Observatory has also undertaken efforts to collect information on missing persons, developing a database to complement existing data related to trafficking in and smuggling of persons.

III.Administration of justice

A.Information relating to paragraph 27 (a)

135.The Economic and Social Development Plan 2021–2025 includes, under pillar 7, the goal of achieving judicial reform, digitalized and transparent public administration and comprehensive security and defence with national sovereignty. It places particular emphasis on the use of information and communications technology to modernize, automate and develop information systems to strengthen the Bolivian justice system.

136.Accordingly, the Ministry of Justice and Institutional Transparency developed the Ministerial Strategic Plan, under which the Justice Reform Programme was established. The Programme is structured around six pillars: (1) conflict management; (2) access to justice; (3) judicial independence; (4) information and communications technology solutions; (5) regulatory development; and (6) institutional transparency. The Programme’s content was developed following a broad process of disseminating and discussing the principles of the reform, complemented by proposals submitted by representatives of various sectors of society across the country’s nine departments.

137.At the fifty-eighth session of the high-level commission established under Act No. 898 of 6 February 2017 to monitor implementation of the recommendations arising from the 2016 Justice Summit, it was agreed to establish four subcommissions on: (1) judicial independence; (2) equal access to justice; (3) transparency of justice through information and communications technology; and (4) regulatory development. Implementation of the measures proposed by each subcommission requires close coordination among the judicial, executive and legislative branches, thereby ensuring the comprehensive reform of the justice system.

138.In 2023, the State Prosecutors Academy obtained certification in ISO 9001:2015 on quality management systems. The Academy has a protection programme and a multidisciplinary team. The Attorney General’s Office and the departmental prosecutors’ offices have victim and witness protection units.

139.In addition, training programmes have been introduced for judges, prosecutors and police officers to promote integrity in public service and to help prevent corruption and political interference in the performance of their duties.

140.Act No. 929 of 27 April 2017 amended Act No. 025 of 24 June 2010 on the Judiciary (arts. 20, 34, 134, 135, 166, 174 and 182); Act No. 027 of 6 July 2010 (arts. 13, 19, 20 and 26); and Act No. 026, the Electoral Act (arts. 50, 76, 77, 79–82, 84, 94 and 139).

141.The Labour and Social Security Court was established, together with 41 criminal trial courts, pursuant to Act No. 1173 and with additional resources provided by the National Treasury.

F.Information relating to paragraph 27 (b)

142.As noted above, one of the main pillars of the reform of the justice system is institutional transparency. This principle applies to judicial processes and entails the adoption of measures to strengthen institutional management across the entities that make up the justice sector.

143.In this context, the Office of the Deputy Minister for Transparency and the Fight against Corruption, within the Ministry of Justice and Institutional Transparency, developed the Plurinational Anti-Corruption Policy, which focuses on working towards a new digitalized, transparent form of public administration.

144.Within this framework, the Complaint Management Module for Judicial and Prosecutorial Authorities, integrated into the Information System for Transparency and the Prevention of and Fight against Corruption (SITPRECO+2), was launched to provide timely and verifiable information. Its purpose is to facilitate the submission of complaints by members of the public involved in legal proceedings and to enable the follow-up of such complaints through the system. The initiative was implemented with a budget of Bs 13,777,856.

145.The Module was implemented in 364 transparency units and within the governing body responsible for monitoring the management of criminal proceedings related to corruption, as well as the management and registration of public accountability reports, in accordance with automated and standardized procedures.

146.In addition, efforts are under way to strengthen the management of criminal proceedings related to corruption and money-laundering offences, with a view to ensuring follow-up, monitoring and institutional participation as an additional party or complainant in such cases. This is being carried out through a system of parameters for the tracking and management of criminal proceedings, with the aim of achieving significant progress and bringing cases of money-laundering and corruption offences to conclusion on the basis of timely, accurate and reliable information.

147.The system for handling complaints and claims filed by litigants against judicial authorities and the Public Prosecution Service is being strengthened through the adoption of measures to collect relevant information. The results of this process determine whether complaints are referred to the transparency units of the Council of the Judiciary and the Attorney General’s Office, disciplinary or summary proceedings are initiated or cases are forwarded to the Council of the Judiciary for follow-up or legal audit.

148.In addition, 12 mobile brigades were deployed to engage with civil society in efforts to prevent and combat corruption. Their purpose is to promote and raise awareness of the projects and activities of the Office of the Deputy Minister for Transparency and the Fight against Corruption, including the complaint management system, the Citizens’ Transparency Observatory, the public accountability system and educational tools such as the animated series Trascender (two seasons). Through these efforts, it is expected that 40 municipalities across the country, together with their active social oversight organizations, neighbourhood associations and school boards, will become familiar with the Office’s projects and policies relating to the prevention of and fight against corruption.

149.Requests for restorative justice are received and processed by the Litigant Defence Unit of the Office of the Deputy Minister for Institutional Transparency and the Fight against Corruption, within the framework of Act No. 1390. Through the application of this restorative justice mechanism, efforts are made to recover, on behalf of the Plurinational State of Bolivia, the economic, material and moral damages caused to victim institutions, thereby concluding criminal proceedings for corruption offences.

G.Information relating to paragraph 27 (c)

150.Between 2018 and 2023, the Council of the Judiciary issued 36 public and internal calls for applications to merit-based competitive selection processes, competency exams and interviews. As a result, 98 per cent of the positions of judges presiding over ordinary and agricultural and environmental courts were filled.

151.On 15 December 2024, a by-election was held to elect the highest authorities of the judiciary and the Plurinational Constitutional Court, with a voter turnout of 82 per cent. Unlike in the previous elections, in 2011 and 2017, 64.29 per cent of the votes were valid, while 35.71 per cent were null or blank.

152.Between 2020 and 2023, the Public Prosecution Service conducted four entry-level training programmes for prospective prosecutors. A total of 10,659 applicants participated, resulting in the appointment of 232 prosecutors (39 per cent). In 2023, the State Prosecutors Academy obtained certification in ISO 9001:2015 on quality management systems. The Academy has a protection programme and a multidisciplinary team. The Attorney General’s Office and the departmental prosecutors’ offices have victim and witness protection units.

153.The process of selecting and appointing the Attorney General was completed and the new incumbent assumed office on 22 October 2024.

H.Information relating to paragraph 27 (d)

154.In observance of the principle of independence enshrined in the Constitution, in 2022, the judicial branch restructured 35 criminal trial courts presided over by 105 criminal trial judges, expanded the mandates of 147 justice officials (14 per cent of ordinary court judges) and reassigned them to handle cases involving corruption and violence against women. These measures improved access to justice, helped reduce procedural delays and strengthened the judicial system. Public service and information platforms for receiving and assigning cases through a computerized system have also been established.

155.The Supreme Court made use of the Digital Citizenship tool to issue legal notices and notifications by electronic means and to conduct virtual hearings in criminal, civil and commercial matters. The 2023 budget represented a 5.21 per cent increase over the 2022 level, amounting to Bs 60,495,308.66.

156.Notable developments concerning the Plurinational Constitutional Court include the establishment of constitutional chambers; the drafting of a bill for an organic act on constitutional jurisdiction and a bill to amend the Code of Constitutional Procedure; the adoption of the Code of Ethics of the Constitutional Court; the holding of public accountability sessions with civil society organizations through social oversight mechanisms; and the promotion of communication measures to improve access to information, including the dissemination of its rulings, the systematization of jurisprudence and the production of bibliographical materials.

157.Constitutional chambers were established to hear and rule on actions concerning liberty, constitutional protection, privacy protection, compliance, popular actions and other remedies provided for in the Code of Constitutional Procedure.

I.Information relating to paragraph 27 (e)

158.The Plurinational Public Defence Service is strengthening its institutional capacities through measures such as the implementation of a protocol focused on vulnerable groups and the opening of 35 new service offices nationwide. In 2023, its budget was increased by 10.29 per cent over its 2020 level, reaching Bs 1,284,309.62.