POVERTY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMBALANCES MUST BE ADDRESSED IN FIGHT AGAINST ILLICIT DRUGS, THIRD COMMITTEE TOLD

13 October 1998

Press Release
GA/SHC/3471

POVERTY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMBALANCES MUST BE ADDRESSED IN FIGHT AGAINST ILLICIT DRUGS, THIRD COMMITTEE TOLD

19981013 Committee Hears Call for Additional Resources for UNDCP

The fight against illicit drugs would fail unless the root causes of poverty and socio-economic imbalances were addressed, the representative of Cyprus told the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) this morning as it continued its consideration of issues related to crime prevention and criminal justice, and international drug control.

Issues of unemployment, lack of opportunities in education and the alienation so often prevalent in urban society must also be urgently addressed to prevent the slide into the abyss of drug abuse, he added.

The representative of Jamaica said that instead of stop-gap measures, the international community should address the fundamental issues of unemployment and poverty, with which drug-related activities in her region were associated.

The link between drug abuse and trafficking with poverty and unemployment highlighted the importance that the international community needed to place on the eradication of poverty on a global level, Fiji's representative said. He also endorsed the role of the United Nations International Drug Control Programme (UNDCP) in fighting drug trafficking, but added that the UNDCP needed three to four billion dollars in additional resources. Contributions would have to be increased if it was to achieve its objective.

The representative of the Czech Republic said the UNDCP was an effective body that would achieve victory, but the international community's good intentions and plans could not be accomplished without adequate funding. In the present unfavourable global economic situation, many States were facing economic crises, and financial support had been minimalized. Still, it was imperative that the international community not lose its momentum.

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Noting that in some parts of the world drug trafficking was combined with distorted religious extremism and terrorism, the representative of India said the United Nations architecture to deal with the phenomenon was inadequate. It was not fair to expect the Office of Drug Control and Crime Prevention to cope with that burden without the necessary intergovernmental resources. He called for that office to have its hands strengthened by the international community, and for the struggle against such complex situations to be elevated to a more political level.

Statements were also made by the representatives of Malta, Yemen, Morocco, Republic of Moldova, Costa Rica, Iran, Iraq, Azerbaijan, Venezuela and Romania.

The Committee will meet again at 3 p.m. today to conclude its consideration of issues related to crime prevention and criminal justice and international drug control.

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Committee Work Programme

The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) met this morning to continue consideration of crime prevention and criminal justice and international drug control. It has before it, the relevant sections of the report of the Economic and Social Council, reports of the Secretary-General, and three draft resolutions. (For background on documents before the Committee, see Press Release GA/SHC/3467 of 8 October.)

Statements

VLADIMIR GALUSKA (Czech Republic) said that, unfortunately, the advantages and achievements of the modern age were often misused by drug cartels so the illicit production of, and trafficking in drugs reached the global level very rapidly. He welcomed the international community's growing awareness of the drug problem, as was evident in this year's United Nations General Assembly special session. The documents adopted as a result of the session represented a sound basis for the future development of international cooperation.

The international community could consider itself a step behind those who profited from drug production and trade, he said. The United Nations International Drug Control Programme (UNDCP) was an effective body and would achieve victory, but the international community's good intentions and plans could not be accomplished and targets could not be reached, without adequate funding. The present global economic situation was not favourable, and many States were facing economic crises. As a result, financial support had been minimalized. It was therefore imperative that the international community not lose its momentum.

ANTON TABONE (Malta) said many nations had made the mistake of underestimating the nature of the threat posed by illegal drug cultivation, production, trafficking and consumption. Governments that had tolerated such activities had seen deforestation and distortion of the agricultural and financial sectors and political institutions racked by corruption. Consuming countries had seen addiction with its terrible criminal, health and social consequences. No nation could stand up to the problem alone, but bilateral and multilateral responses had recently seen some encouraging results. The United Nations, through the activities of the UNDCP was a key component in the global response.

Malta endorsed the results of the special session of the General Assembly on Illicit Drugs, he said. It was a country vulnerable to transnational criminality, and had engaged itself in a number of bilateral and multilateral cooperation agreements against such transnational criminal activities, including the illicit drugs trade. In the context of crime prevention, Malta welcomed the decision of the Commission on Crime Prevention

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and Criminal Justice calling for the establishment of an open-ended intergovernmental ad hoc Committee for the purpose of elaborating a comprehensive international convention against transnational organized crime. Malta would also welcome other legal instruments dealing with the trafficking of women and children and combating the illicit manufacturing of, and trafficking in firearms.

Money laundering also played a fundamental role in facilitating the ambitions of the drug trafficker, terrorist, organized criminal, inside dealer and tax evader, he said. It had devastating social consequences, with international law enforcement agencies estimating that the amounts of dollars involved were as high as $300 billion worldwide -- making it the world's third largest industry in terms of turnover.

WALID AL-ETHARY (Yemen) said crime was an inevitable result of numerous intertwined factors, including social and cultural. Yemen believed no progress could be made without a real national and international constructive will to combat drugs. Yemen had enacted laws to safeguard society through its religious tenets. It had also initiated a campaign to ban firearms. It emphasized the need to fight criminal acts that targeted the infrastructure of States.

Crime and drugs were two sides of the same coin, he said. A grave responsibility fell on the international community to combat those problems which were contrary to humanity. There was a need to combat drugs and to enact current laws, and a need to help those who extricated victims of drugs and criminal acts. Given its location and long coasts, Yemen was especially vulnerable and attracted drug traffickers as a transit point. Its security organs were trying to combat the drug plague. Yemen was committed to doing its share on the international level.

MARCIA GILBERT-ROBERTS (Jamaica) said every Member State, irrespective of its development status, political system or cultural orientation, was vulnerable to the social and economic degradation wrought by illicit drug-related activities. Indubitably, the world crisis demanded global and comprehensive solutions. The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) States remained especially vulnerable to the negative effects of illicit drug activities by virtue of their fragile economic base, geographical structure and small size. Internationally recognized scientific benefits and the common use of cannabis by certain groups for social and religious purposes had led to calls for decriminalization and legalization of the use of the drug. The CARICOM States, however, remained committed to the prohibition of the illicit use of the substance, on the basis of empirical evidence that the drug also gave rise to undesirable psychoactive reactions in users.

Equally disturbing was the fact that globalization and liberalization had facilitated drug traffickers in transferring funds, as well as in

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identifying and establishing new transnational markets, she said. The illicit drug trade represented less than 10 per cent of total international trade. That was disconcerting to CARICOM States since the existing inequities of an international trading system harmed the legitimate exports of CARICOM countries.

Money-laundering had significantly escalated in the region, and with it, the attendant acquisition of vast assets. CARICOM States with off-shore banking facilities were taking steps to prevent their use by money-launderers. The CARICOM Governments were therefore enforcing legislation to deal with both money-laundering and measures to confiscate assets. CARICOM States recognized that the fight against illicit drugs could not be divorced from the broader social and economic development process. Instead of stop gap measures, the international community had to address the fundamental issues of unemployment and poverty, with which drug-related activities in the region were associated.

YAMINA BENNANI (Morocco) said that because of factors such as globalization and the suppression of frontiers, the crime of international drug trafficking lead to the extension of numerous social scourges. To face the many related challenges, the special session of the General Assembly had endorsed a worldwide strategy to reduce drug trafficking, production and use. It was essential that the mandate endorsed by States at the special session be fully implemented. She also endorsed preparations for a convention on transnational organized crime, saying such a convention would have a beneficial effect for all people.

Morocco itself was addressing the problem of drugs with policies aimed at the reduction of supply, and dampening of illicit trafficking and transiting through the country, she said. It had increased vigilance on its borders, and had established rules and cooperation mechanisms internationally and regionally. It had also established programmes aimed at promoting sustainable development. She called for international support in the financing of development projects. She endorsed the work of UNDCP, and hoped that steps would be taken to provide assistance to countries who were determined to eliminate the scourge of the problem of drugs. She also called for greater financial support for the African Institute on Transnational Crime.

ION BOTNARU (Republic of Moldova) speaking also on behalf of Ukraine, said that because of their global dimension, the drug problem and organized crime could be addressed effectively only through international cooperation. In countries with economies in transition, illicit drug and arms trafficking created additional problems that negatively affected the development of national economies. Moreover, they undermined the confidence of the population in the process of implementation of economic reforms.

In recent years, the problem of the illicit drugs transiting though the

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Republic of Moldova and Ukraine had become more acute, he said. He underlined the effectiveness of a new regional initiative, "Kanal", developed jointly by his country, Ukraine, the Russian Federation and Belarus. The distinguished feature of the operation was the mobilization of efforts and means of the law-enforcement bodies of the participating countries. Those countries had also made substantial efforts to improve their national capacities to fight illicit drug and arms trafficking, as well as to combat money laundering.

BHUVANESH CHATURVEDI (India) said June's special session of the General Assembly was perhaps the most significant development in regard to the world drug problem. The unanimous endorsement of the documents at a high political level signified a new international consensus to act against the menace of drugs based on the principles of shared responsibility and a balanced and integrated approach. It was important to recognize the role of poverty and of the underdevelopment of drug producing countries, and the importance of alternative development programmes as a means of income generation for those dependent on the drug industry.

He said areas of concern included the integration of criminal enterprises along with the greater integration of markets across East-West lines; the exploitation of the advantages provided by globalization to facilitate illicit operations and transactions; and loopholes in legislation to deal with money laundering, allowing drug cartels and crime syndicates ready access to banking institutions. In some parts of the world, drug trafficking was combined with distorted religious extremism and terrorism. The dangers of ignoring such phenomena were great. It was clear that the United Nations architecture to deal with the phenomenon was inadequate. It was not fair to expect the Office of Drug Control and Crime Prevention to cope with that burden without the necessary intergovernmental resources. He called for the ODCCP to have its hands strengthened by the international community, and for the struggle against such complex situations to be elevated to a more political level.

NURY VARGAR (Costa Rica) said drugs had made everyone victims, and called for united efforts to combat transnational and organized crime. Costa Rica agreed that a holistic approach was needed to deal with the manufacture, consumption, transiting and legitimization of goods from those activities. In that regard, her country provided specialized training to a civilian police force to protect citizens from trafficking. Because of its location, its peace and its democracy, Costa Rica was a focal point for the stockpiling of drugs. Her Government had specialized police forces to combat the problem on various levels, including the prevention of drug consumption.

She said Costa Rica had signed treaties to combat drug trafficking; it had reformed penal legislation; and it devoted monies accruing from the seizure of drugs to those efforts, including 40 per cent for prevention of drug consumption. There were also anti-drug programmes in schools. Her

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Government was also working with international organizations and participating in efforts to monitor drug shipments. It had also burned or slashed marijuana crops. However, it could not attack this pandemic alone, particularly since Costa Rica was a bridge for drug transit to the North. It needed international assistance in detecting techniques and equipment for staff. Only through transnational measures could transnational crimes be fought.

MOHAMMAD AMIRKHIZI (Iran) said the growth of transnational organized crime threatened not only the security of nations and the international community, but was also a threat to the political stability and social order of all nation States. A global strategy was needed to deal with the sophisticated nature of transnational organized crime. He welcomed an exchange of views, information, experience and expertise among Member States on different aspects of crime prevention for the elaboration of a comprehensive draft convention on transnational organized crime.

A new international instrument on organized transnational crime must, instead of simply adopting a general approach towards transnational organized crime, concentrate on practical and workable policies and actions to confront the existing threats, he said. He welcomed the recommendations of the Asian Regional Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime held in Manila in March. Already established models from existing treaties, such as the 1988 United Nations Convention against Illicit Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances could be taken into account in drafting new instruments.

SAKIUSA RABUKA (Fiji) said the United Nations General Assembly special session had provided an opportunity to asses the effectiveness of work done to date and work out new strategies to tackle or fight the problem of drugs. The goals set out during the session were grand, and his Government supported the role of UNDCP in fighting drug trafficking. However, the UNDCP needed an additional budget of three to four billion dollars. Thus, it was clear contributions had to be increased if it was to achieve its objective.

Fiji's strategic location in the South Pacific had allowed international criminal and drug organizations to use it as a staging point, he said. Under the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act of 1997, authorities in Fiji could grant, or request, other countries' assistance in the investigation and prosecution of serious crimes and proceeds of crimes. Also, the Proceeds of Crimes Acts of 1997 had allowed for the confiscation of proceeds of crime to deprive persons of any proceeds, benefits or properties obtained from the commission of serious offenses. Further, his Government had enacted the Substance Abuse Advisory Council Act, which was aimed at developing comprehensive substance abuse prevention, eradication and research programmes for Fiji.

Fiji believed there were linkages between drug abuse and trafficking, with poverty and unemployment, he said. The international community needed to place emphasis on the eradication of poverty on a global level.

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MOHAMMED AL-HUMAIMIDI (Iraq) said Iraq had expressed its desire to cooperate with specialized agencies to combat drugs. It had acceded to relevant agreements and had enacted national legislation. It had signed various international treaties on drug control. National legislations had also been enacted, supplemented by measures by relevant ministries and programmes to combat the use of drugs, alcohol and psychotropic substances. While narcotic drugs were used for health and treatment, Iraq had never used precursors in the use of psychotropic substances. Specialized agencies had introduced programmes to protect the young from their use.

He said the sanctions imposed on his country had taken a high toll, causing severe losses, including loss of life. Sanctions had diminished Iraq's participation in international efforts in that area. It had been deprived of its ability to work with INTERPOL since 1997, as the embargo had not made it possible for Iraq to pay its financial dues. His country had also been deprived of importing sophisticated equipment and expertise, and Iraqis had been deprived of participating in training programmes abroad. Due to the absence of central authority in certain parts of the country, drugs were being smuggled to and from neighbouring States. Iraq was seriously following the situation, and had informed UNDCP accordingly.

GUNESH RUSTAM-ZADE (Azerbaijan) said his country supported the Political Declaration of the June special session of the General Assembly on the problem of illicit drugs, and was carrying out all its commitments. At its conception as an independent State, Azerbaijan had embarked on building a secular democratic State based on the rule of law. One of its objectives was the elimination of drug abuse, but the armed aggression of Armenia and the problems associated with that, had created enormous difficulties for the country and the people of Azerbaijan. The occupied territories were being used for the production and transit of illicit drugs.

The situation in Azerbaijan had become worse every year, with drug-related crime increasing rapidly, he said. Much of the crime linked with drugs was violent. Along with the problem of cannabis, the use of cocaine, heroin and synthetic drugs was also increasing. The border and customs services of Azerbaijan still had limited means available to them, and it was also difficult to train anti-narcotics units. However, despite its lack of resources, Azerbaijan was actively working against the drug trade. It had instituted programmes aimed at the prevention and eradication of drug addiction, and was taking steps to mobilize public opinion against the use of drugs. He called for assistance in establishing a modern legislative programme, and for technical assistance in training and social rehabilitation of addicts.

LYDA APONTE DE ZACKLIN (Venezuela) said Venezuela welcomed the fact that States had taken on the commitment to counter a scourge that threatened mankind. Her country had reaffirmed its support for international efforts and had signed the relevant treaties. Her Government approved of strategies on a global level to tackle the problem, bearing in mind the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States. Venezuela paid particular attention to

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prevention and had engaged various actors in civil society to work in the field of drug prevention, with support of publicity and communication.

Now, in its second phase, the efforts had turned to rehabilitation and education, she said. The national Government believed in international cooperation and had carried out multilateral dialogue with States, signed treaties with Guinea and Colombia on prevention, as well as with Colombia on control and monitoring of precursors and psychotropic substances. The positive results achieved at the special session had raised hope that it would be possible to build a world free of drugs. If those commitments could be turned into action, the objectives could be achieved.

VICTORIA SANDRU (Romania) said that like other countries of Central and Eastern Europe, Romania had become a transit and -- to some extent -- a deposit country. Romania was faced with new danger that it was not yet adequately equipped to handle. Although they lacked the institutional structures to combat illicit drug trafficking, the Romanian authorities had initiated a threefold process relating to legislation improvement, institutional reform and preventative education. They also highly valued the regional and bilateral dimensions of cooperation. A number of bilateral agreements had been concluded with neighbouring governments, and with other European countries.

The problem of international crime could be addressed only through reinforced international responsibility and cooperation, she said. The United Nations capacity to respond adequately had been consolidated through the establishment of the Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention. Romania also attached utmost importance to the implementation of the Ninth Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders, and of the Naples recommendation. In the spirit of those commitments, Romania had continued to strengthen its legal machinery, develop preventative mechanisms and provide a humane criminal justice system. The Romanian Parliament had almost concluded consideration of a draft law on the prevention and punishment of money laundering.

DEMETRIS HADJIARGYROU (Cyprus) said organized crime constituted a grave danger to the entire spectrum of civilized societies throughout the globe. It was an affront to humanity and required wholehearted and relentless efforts by the international community to contain it. His country was determined to deal with organized crime, and had joined regional and international cooperation agreements on criminal justice matters. On the problem of drug abuse, he said implementation of the relevant international instruments and enhancement of the role of the United Nations were essential. The efforts of the international community, however, would not lead to the desired results unless the root causes of the problem were faced. Poverty and socio-economic imbalances, unemployment, lack of opportunities in education and the alienation so often prevalent in urban society must be urgently addressed to preclude the slide into the abyss of drug abuse. Alternative development and crop substitution should be actively assisted together with programmes of rehabilitation and social integration for drug addicts.

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