COMMISSION DISCUSSES STRENGTHENING GLOBAL COOPERATION TO FIGHT ILLICIT DRUGS AND RELATED ACTIVITIES
Press Release
SOC/NAR/727
COMMISSION DISCUSSES STRENGTHENING GLOBAL COOPERATION TO FIGHT ILLICIT DRUGS AND RELATED ACTIVITIES
19960418 Seventeen Speakers Address Government Measures To Implement Global Programme of Action, Assembly(Reproduced as received from UN Information Service.)
VIENNA, 17 April -- As the Commission on Narcotic Drugs continued its general debate this morning, discussion focused on the implementation of measures to strengthen international cooperation in the fight against illicit drugs and related activities.
Mexico's proposal that an international conference be held to update the international strategy against drug abuse and illicit trafficking, was supported by several countries. However, others expressed concern at the financial implications of convening such a conference, given the strained financial situation of the United Nations.
Describing the intense struggle his country had conducted against the illicit production and distribution of drugs, the representative of Colombia declared that no isolated effort could be successful without international cooperation. It was essential to identify common interests for productive cooperation with other States, without conditions or recriminations.
Among other speakers, the representative of Australia called for research to examine the decriminalization of personal use of drugs rather than legalization alone, noting that reports published in his country had suggested that the long-term consequences of a criminal conviction for such personal use were more damaging than the use of the drug itself. On the same subject, the representative of Sweden requested a scientific report on the physical, mental health and social consequences of the abuse of soft drugs in light of the debate on legalization going on in many countries.
Statements were also made by the representatives of Saudi Arabia, the Republic of Korea, Indonesia, Colombia, Hungary, Thailand, United Kingdom,
Iran, Russian Federation, Cuba, Egypt, France and India. A representative of the European Commission also spoke.
General Debate
SALEH MOHAMAD AL-ALSHAIKH (Saudi Arabia) said his Government, aware of the increased dangers of narcotics to all States and levels of society, had hastened to implement a wide range of measures contained in the international narcotic drugs Conventions. Severe sanctions had been imposed and competent bodies enhanced; rehabilitation had been provided and awareness campaigns against drugs launched; various international agreements had been enacted and measures against criminals enforced.
His Government had spared no effort to counter illicit drugs, having long ago recognized the dangers of such substances which came from outside, and had done all it could to control them. There had always been cooperation between the relevant competent bodies with a view to arresting drug traffickers and frustrating their efforts. Specialized centres, such as the one to train sniffer dogs, had been established. The Government had laid down rules for the control of chemicals that lent themselves to easy abuse. To that end, a number of agencies and centres had been set up to carry out studies and follow-up. At the global level, Saudi Arabia had always sought to participate in meetings and seminars convened by international organizations and specialized agencies. He stressed that narcotics control was not the responsibility of Governments and state bodies alone; it was also the task of every citizen to join in to protect future generations from the drugs scourge.
SEUNG-KON LEE (Republic of Korea) observed that while the pattern of drug abuse had changed in different parts of the world, there was no evidence of an overall decrease. Of particular concern was that amphetamines were still the predominant drugs of abuse in East Asia and that the practice of abusing drugs by injection continued to spread, together with infection from the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Outlining his Government's implementation of the Global Programme of Action, he cited its strict policy control over the supply and trafficking of drugs; the legal framework which had dealt with such issues as money laundering, controlled delivery and assets forfeiture; and the anti-drug campaigns which promoted public awareness about the vice of drug abuse.
The Republic of Korea had taken a balanced and harmonized approach between law enforcement activities and prevention-oriented activities, he said, taking into account the nature of drug abusers who were apt to fall into a vicious circle of abuse, punishment or treatment and then relapse.
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ULRICH KNÜPPEL, Director-General for External Relations of the European Commission, observed that the international community faced a grave situation because of the growth in the international drug trade. The establishment of the European Drug Observatory last September was a major step for analysing the drug situation in the European Union and strengthening the effectiveness of the struggle against drugs within the EU. The European Commission planned to adopt a five-year programme on prevention and drug demand reduction. That programme was currently being examined by the European Parliament. Concerning illicit trafficking, the European Commission was a signatory to the 1988 United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances. On the question of money laundering, it was looking to harmonize policy in member States.
Describing his organization's external assistance to non-member countries to support their efforts in the drug struggle, he said this included granting import concessions for certain products that were produced as an alternative to drug crops, financial aid worth $115 million since 1987 and measures for the control of precursors and other chemical substances used in the manufacture of drugs or psychotropic substances.
SUMARYO SURYOKUSUMO (Indonesia) said his Government had ratified the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs and had enacted law No. 8/1976, thus sufficiently applying the laws of that Convention. Indonesia was not a party to the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances but had enacted laws in conformity with it. Nor had his country ratified the 1988 Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, but the necessary measures had been adopted to enable the Government to implement some of its provisions. Indonesia had adopted a national policy and strategy along the lines of the Global Programme of Action to establish international cooperation against illicit production, supply, demand, trafficking and distribution of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. In cooperation with the United Nations International Drug Control Programme (UNDCP), Indonesia would draw up a master plan to combat drug abuse and trafficking by conducting training programmes; sharing information concerning trends, modus operandi and route of narcotic trafficking; and by monitoring drug traffickers and other activities.
With respect to regional activities, the meeting of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Standing Committee, held in Jakarta in 1994, had adopted a three-year plan of action on drug abuse control which provided guidance for ASEAN preventive drug education, treatment and rehabilitation, law enforcement and research. He hoped the UNDCP would again participate in the forthcoming meeting of the ASEAN Senior Officials on Drug Control in further strengthening a subregional drug control strategy and programme of assistance.
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His Government favoured the proposal to convene a second international conference on drug abuse and illicit trafficking, and supported the recommendation by the Commission that such a conference should not only ensure the continuing commitment of Governments to drug control at all levels but also to further strengthen the implementation of existing international Conventions on the subject.
RAFAEL ESTRADA SAMANO (Mexico) said the Global Programme of Action constituted the strategy of the international community to deal with one of the most serious problems facing the world at the end of this millennium. Because of the destructive potential of drugs, trafficking and related crimes were a major threat to Mexico's national security. Accordingly, the Government had taken consistent and concerted action to fight the drug scourge. This included measures to eradicate and seize crops, train personnel, draft appropriate laws and to detain and prosecute criminals. Mexico had also entered a richer era of cooperation with its neighbours in the United States and South America and had shared strategies addressing the drug trade.
However, while the Global Plan represented a fundamental contribution to international efforts to reduce illicit drugs, it lacked a mechanism for updating, he said. Issues such as money laundering and chemical precursors were not understood to be integral problems when the Plan was adopted six years ago. He proposed that an international conference -- one that could take the form of a special session of the General Assembly -- should be held to update the international strategy against drugs.
CARLOS EDUARDO MEDELLIN BECERA (Colombia) said his country continued its intense struggle against the scourge of drugs and had carried out many measures to combat illicit production and distribution. The figures provided to the Commission illustrated the dimensions of Colombia's endeavours, but the country was facing a phenomenon that was growing and becoming ever more complex. The Government was combating the formation of cartels for distribution and money laundering. But as long as there were people willing to pay any price for drugs, and as long as the laws did not stop them, the phenomenon would continue. The proof of that was illustrated by the rise in consumption of chemical drugs. There would have to be a stronger response against the manufacture and abuse of such drugs within the individual countries.
No one knew how much was produced by the world drug industry or how much money was made, he said. There was no binding instrument under which countries could prevent the various stages of money laundering and punish those responsible. Colombia therefore supported the enactment of such a law and had itself adopted legislation against money laundering. At the interregional level, it had stressed the need to adopt similar agreements.
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Extreme measures taken by one country had a debilitating effect on the global strategy and undermined the possible benefits that could accrue through international cooperation. The risk reduction view had not led to positive results for any country. In essence, Governments must cooperate to achieve success. No isolated effort, no matter how courageous or intense, would achieve meaningful results without cooperation on the growing scourge. His Government would continue to work to identify common interests for productive cooperation with other States, without conditions or recriminations. The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) was the only competent body to monitor and supervise the implementation of international drug control Conventions. Colombia had the duty and the right to reject unilateral procedures that punished a particular country and ignored the responsibility that all concerned should share in the fight against illicit drugs.
MIHALY KOKENY (Hungary) said his Government had ratified the 1988 Convention in February and had enacted a series of anti-drug legislation. However, legislation could only be effective if the conditions for its implementation were ensured. Hungary had proven its ability in that area by seizing a total of one-tenth of the heroin confiscated in Europe. Its drug law enforcement agencies actively participated in international cooperation efforts -- 15 bilateral agreements had been ratified and several others were under preparation. He described demand reduction activities in his country and said a national mental health programme had begun to operate on the basis of a World Health Organization recommendation. Hungary was contributing to drug prevention activities by educating people about healthy lifestyles.
He thanked the UNDCP and donor countries for supporting the establishment of a subregional cooperation plan to train 300 professionals in the Central European subregion working in drug treatment institutions. Further projects within that framework were planned. He hoped that the best trained drug experts from his region could soon help other countries to train their professionals.
He said a national drug data collection and epidemiological work, started in 1991-1992, had now begun to provide important information, including law-enforcement and justice data. Stressing the importance of international cooperation in the fight against drug abuse, and while supporting the implementation of the Programme of Action, he pointed out that coordination concerning the different activities of other United Nations agencies in the drug field needed further improvement, including the demand for high-level expertise and preliminary research evaluation of proposed activities at each organization. Hungary was ready to examine all proposals regarding the convening of an international conference on drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
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TONY KINGDON (Australia) voiced concern about the onerous reporting requirements facing States concerning drug control measures, and urged the UNDCP to examine ways of improving them. With regard to Mexico's proposal for a second international conference, he was not convinced that such a conference would be cost-effective given the strained financial situation of the United Nations. It would also detract from the already stretched resources of the UNDCP.
Research into the legalization of the non-medical use of drugs would be valuable, he said, and Australia would assist the Commission in developing policies in that complex and controversial area. The research could usefully examine the decriminalization of the personal use of drugs rather than legalization alone. Several reports published in Australia had suggested that the long-term consequences of a criminal conviction for personal use of small amounts of drugs were more damaging than the use of the drug itself.
PRIJA CHAMPARATNA (Thailand) stressed that any country's commitment to solve its drug problems unilaterally would fail. Ignoring, the "no-boundary" nature of the drug problem simply created a niche which encouraged the proliferation of drug rings.
Thailand had intensified efforts against the cultivation, production, abuse and illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, and had been successful in reducing the cultivation of opium poppy. In 1995 and 1996, special emphasis was placed on fighting against the widespread methamphetamine problem, which was greatly enhanced by the control of the precursors that were essential for its production. He thanked the INCB and the UNDCP for their project on precursor control in Asia and urged other countries and regions to undertake similar projects.
NIGEL VARNEY (United Kingdom) said his Government was sceptical about the need for an international conference on drug abuse. Any major meeting would be more useful and productive if it adhered closely to the criteria which had been set by the Economic and Social Council and the General Assembly. Such a meeting should call on existing materials rather than require a large new preparatory effort, and its agenda should reflect the priorities which were already before the Commission -- the ratification and effective implementation of the three international drugs Conventions and pursuit of a balanced strategy of reducing production, trafficking and demand for illicit drugs.
He welcomed the Executive Director's suggestions on establishing a mechanism to review the operation of the 1988 Convention. He hoped the relevant questionnaires would be user friendly and that States would respond to them promptly and fully. The results could then form a useful basis for discussion at future meetings.
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He restated his country's firm position against the legalization of any scheduled drug, including cannabis. The 1961 Convention imposed a clear obligation not only to prohibit but to prevent the misuse of, and traffic in, scheduled drugs. He had no objection to a further review of penalties for drug offences but deterrent penalties were clearly needed for trafficking offences. The United Kingdom had recently announced new proposals for punishment which included a mandatory minimum prison sentence for persons convicted for a third trafficking offence involving Class A drugs. At the other end of the scale, however, the Government had in place alternatives to conviction and punishment, in suitable cases. A major new effort was being undertaken to increase the level of both prevention and treatment of drug misuse inside prisons.
GHOLAMHOSSEIN SADEGHI GHAHAREH (Iran) said his country was cooperating with neighbouring States to ensure that its national efforts against drug abuse had maximum impact. It was fully committed to regional cooperation to combat the drug menace. Iran cooperated with the Economic Cooperation Organization in drug control activities and he underscored the need for the UNDCP to support that body. In another area of regional activity, the project to strengthen law enforcement capacities in border areas between Iran and Pakistan was crucial in countering transborder trafficking and had been successful in the exchange of operational intelligence, joint patrolling and increased surveillance. If all countries in the region realized the importance of operational cooperation to suppress drug crimes, the major traffickers would not escape. Iran had entered into other productive regional arrangements.
On the question of demand reduction, Iran supported the idea of a balanced approach which gave equal emphasis to reduction of both the demand and supply of illicit drugs. The UNDCP should assist countries in need of information and expertise on a strategy for demand reduction and suppression of trafficking. Controlling the supply of drugs and the suppression of illicit trafficking received the utmost priority in Iran. Interdiction should be paired with eradication of production and crop substitution.
He expressed concern over the illicit poppy cultivation in Afghanistan, a practice which had almost neutralized the anti-drug programmes of other countries in the region. Unfortunately, it was not yet possible to ascertain whether the UNDCP would implement any programmes recommended by its mission to Afghanistan, but the situation required immediate attention. The Programme should make greater efforts to bring drug production in Afghanistan under control. Iran would give technical and financial support to UNDCP activities, there particular in crop substitution. In the areas of demand reduction, preventive education and public awareness, his Government would undertake relevant initiatives and programmes in Afghanistan. The developed countries also could play an important role with regard to crop substitution.
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The preparation of the master plan was essential and his Government was formulating its own. Iran would support the convening of a second international conference on drug abuse and was also in favour of developing an international declaration on the guiding principles of drug demand reduction. Any demand reduction programme needed to specify realistic objectives and to take into account social, cultural and religious values. An expert group, with geographically distributed representation, should be convened to prepare the initial draft for the next session of the Commission. He reiterated Iran's conviction that the idea of liberalization and, ultimately, legalization of the non-medical use of drugs was not compatible with the international drug Conventions and would make it impossible to solve the drug problem.
OLEG M. SOKOLOV (Russian Federation) said his Government supported the many international Conventions, treaties and endeavours in the fight against drug abuse and urged that all States participate in international pacts concerning that issue. Russia had become a party to all the relevant international Conventions.
The considerable financial implications of another international conference on drugs must be taken into consideration, he said. Decisions should take into account the positions of all delegations. He supported the position of the Commission and the INCB concerning the use of pernicious non-legal drugs and believed that there should be no change.
ZENAIDA OSORIO VIZCAINO (Cuba) announced that his country had recently concluded the process of ratification of the 1988 Convention and was now a party to all the drug instruments. In fulfilling its international commitments, Cuba had actively fought the drug scourge with major efforts, including border inspections, appropriate legislation and epidemiological studies. Cuba had strengthened international cooperation through 13 bilateral agreements on drug trafficking and by working closely with many other countries.
FAROUK HELMY ABOU ELATA (Egypt) drew attention to his country's geographical location in the centre of production areas in the East and consumption markets in the West. In cooperation with Arab and other agencies, Egypt was limiting the flow of narcotics through its territory to other countries by adopting strong drug enforcement efforts.
Although Egypt was not considered a narcotics producing country, he said, there was still some cultivation of cannabis and poppy plants. The Government was applying more comprehensive and efficient methods in customs controls, by freezing and forfeiture of the assets of narcotics traffickers, prosecution of traffickers and the establishment of a unit to combat money laundering.
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JAKOB LINDBERG (Sweden) said that a more effective implementation of the 1971 Convention would strengthen the implementation of the other drug Conventions. He expressed concern that many countries were still not parties to the 1988 instrument. Ratifying the Conventions was not enough; they must be fully implemented through national legislation, appropriate administrative measures and the allocation of budgetary resources. The 1988 Convention lacked a formal monitoring mechanism of most of its provisions, and that needed to be improved.
Concerning the ongoing debate on legalization in many countries, he called for a scientifically valid assessment of the physical, mental health and social consequences of the abuse of soft drugs, suggesting that the UNDCP initiate a study summarizing the scientific knowledge on soft drugs, especially cannabis. Sweden strongly supported the Mexican proposal to convene a world conference on drugs, agreeing that there was a strong need to give matters related to illicit drugs greater attention in the international arena.
FRANCOIS POINSOT (France) warned against moving into a new phase of international obligations without first entering a period of follow-up to existing ones. France approved of most of the recommendations contained in the Executive Director's report in response to resolution 48/12 and supported the proposal that at least 30 per cent of contributions be channelled through the general-purpose fund. However, there were misgivings about the number of smaller and ad hoc groups convened to discuss issues that should be addressed in the Commission, for example, the question of alternative development of crops. He suggested that greater cooperation between the UNDCP and appropriate non-governmental organizations could enhance the role of NGOs in the fight against drug abuse.
M.R. SIVARAN (India) said the drug menace had grown inexorably in different parts of the world and there was the rise of a deadly crime -- narco-terrorism. His country's geographical location, between the golden crescent and the golden triangle, and also its unique position of being the only authorized grower of licit opium gum for export, had cast upon India a heavy responsibility both towards the international community and its own people in the battle against drugs. His country had no reservations in cooperating with any country in matters related to drug offences and curtailing narco-terrorism. He described efforts against the trafficking in methaqualone from India, pointing out that his Government had succeeded in busting major syndicates manufacturing the drug in the last two years.
India had taken steps to improve its systems of control so that there was little scope for a significant leakage of opium from licensed cultivation. It had been interacting closely with the INCB to maintain a balance between supply and demand. While that effort was continuing, India did not want to overstretch its resources to effectively supervise the area under cultivation.
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All psychotropic substances noted under the 1971 Convention, except those banned in India, had been placed under import and export controls. The Government had approved control delivery operations with excellent results. It had also established an effective system of control on precursors and chemicals used in the illicit manufacture of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. In addition, the Government was working out a system under which each user of acetic anhydride and N-acetylanthranilic acid would be required to register and maintain a logbook indicating the purchase of a particular chemical.
Despite the popular misconception, India had some of the most stringent legal provisions which imposed detention without trial when money laundering was detected, he continued. In other actions, Government intervention had modified the formulation of cough syrups which were reported to be subject to abuse in the country. The Government had also framed a national master plan for drug abuse control and almost all of the country's 25 state and union territories had taken steps to strengthen their administrative machinery to tackle the problem.
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