Eumelis Moya Goitte

Eumelis Moya Goitte has drawn international attention to human trafficking crimes in the mining sector and provided support for international efforts to prevent human trafficking of vulnerable populations.

Eumelis Moya Goitte is the coordinator of the Office of Human Rights of Universidad Católica Andrés Bello (UCAB) Guayana.  In this role, she investigates human trafficking in Bolivar state, with a special focus on the Orinoco Mining Arc – a strategic development zone in Venezuela.  She has drawn international attention to human trafficking crimes in the mining sector and provided support for international efforts to prevent human trafficking of vulnerable populations.

Moya graduated as a lawyer from UCAB Guayana and began working on cases in defense of children and adolescents in the Santa Teresa Community Ombudsman's Office, in the San Félix sector of Ciudad Guayana.  She also served as a professor at UCAB Guayana for more than 15 years.

Moya assumed her current role in 2018.  She documents situations involving the abuse and violation of the human rights of the inhabitants of Bolivar state, particularly hard-to-reach vulnerable groups like Indigenous communities.  Moya has built strong relationships and partnerships in her work and relies on the support of community leaders, Indigenous communities, partner institutions, and the media to collect data. 

Additionally, Moya has carried out research for the Center for Reflection and Social Action’s project on human rights and the Amazon; supported civil society organization Civilis’ project to strengthen civic space; and coordinated for three years the Child Protection Project for the Commission of Human Rights and Citizenship.  Her work has previously earned her Runshaw College’s Sophie Scholl Award for civic values and citizen commitment.