Andorra Calls for Stronger Global Judicial Ties to Fight Transnational Crime

Andorra's Secretary of State for Justice and Interior, Joan León, called for stronger international judicial cooperation to combat transnational crime during his address at the 24th Conference of Ibero-American Ministers of Justice (COMJIB) in Panama on Friday.

Speaking in the plenary session, León described justice as "a real instrument for protecting rights, a driver of social cohesion, and a pillar for strengthening our democracies." He highlighted major challenges facing judicial systems, including organized transnational crime, cybercrime, corruption, and human trafficking. To address these, he stressed the need for more agile and effective international legal collaboration, noting that "if crime operates in networks, states must also act in networks."

León emphasized security as a strategic priority for Andorra, crediting it to strong institutional coordination, institutional solidity, and ongoing international partnerships. He advocated an integrated approach that pairs technological investment with continuous training to keep pace with evolving criminal threats.

He also pointed to recent reforms in Andorra, such as the implementation of the law on electronic access to the administration of justice. This initiative enables digital processing of legal procedures, enhancing traceability and efficiency. León further promoted Andorra's contributions to efforts on access to justice, gender equity, and international judicial cooperation, insisting that "modern justice must necessarily be inclusive justice."

In parallel to the conference, León held bilateral meetings with counterparts from several countries. With Spain's Secretary of State for Justice, Manuel Olmedo, discussions covered progress on pending collaboration agreements, including those on transferring convicted individuals for health reasons and sharing assets seized from criminal activities.

He met Colombia's Vice Minister of Justice, Jefferson Dueñas, to advance an agreement regulating the recruitment of workers who relocate to Andorra. Talks with Portugal's Secretary of State for Justice, Gonçalo Cunha, and Panama's Minister of Government, Dinoska Montalvo, focused on judicial cooperation, advancing negotiations for a double taxation avoidance convention, and an assets-sharing accord.