Sixty-third General Assembly

Third Committee

7^th Meeting (AM)

MULTI-PRONGED STRATEGIES NEEDED TO COMBAT TRANSNATIONAL ORGANIZED CRIME,

USING FRAMEWORK OF UNITED NATIONS CONVENTIONS, THIRD COMMITTEE TOLD

Debate Concludes on Crime Prevention, Criminal Justice, Drug Control

Delegates to the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) today stressed the importance of multi-pronged strategies to combat transnational organized crime, using the normative framework provided by various United Nations conventions aimed at preventing criminal activities -- such as its instruments against corruption, money-laundering, the trade in illegal drugs, terrorism and organized crime.

Early in the debate, which concluded the Committee’s discussion on crime prevention, criminal justice and international drug control, the representative of Morocco noted that the Mafia and other organized crime networks were profiting enormously from all types of illegal trafficking, and said such trans-border crimes could only be fought through strengthened communication between States.  While he was pleased to hear about progress in various countries in combating money-laundering, terrorism and other related crimes, complete success would depend on the ability of States to better implement good governance and law enforcement measures.

In his own country, he said money-laundering was severely punished with a jail sentence of two to five years, coupled with heavy fines.  The Government was also setting up a financial database, and would freeze illegal assets wherever those were detected.  In addition, it had established a central authority to prevent corruption, which had powerful surveillance mechanisms at its disposal to identify fraudulent activities.  He invited other Member States to cooperate with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in its initiatives to fight money-laundering by ratifying conventions and protocols dealing with that activity.

Mexico’s representative pointed out that money-laundering, the trade in illicit arms, and the trafficking of chemical precursors frequently used in drug production were smaller elements of a larger problem.  The illicit trade in arms, for example, had become a priority for Mexico because of its links to illegal drug trafficking, and it required both national and international effort to prevent weapons from reaching the hands of criminals. 

He said Mexico was an active participant in a number of regional organizations that helped to control drug trafficking and associated crimes, such as the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD).  His Government was also a vocal supporter of United Nations efforts, and was actively taking part in the review process currently under way on the twentieth General Assembly special session aimed at countering the global drug problem.

The representative of Cameroon took an even wider view, saying organized crime was a threat to peace and human security.  She expressed regret that funding to combat transnational organized crime was declining, despite a growing need for international interventions, especially in Africa.  The pooling of capabilities, as emphasized by all speakers, was key to making headway against trans-border crime, including all forms of terrorism.  As her President had told the General Assembly last month, only with comprehensive, resolute action could the world tackle terrorism.

Also speaking today were the representatives of Qatar, Indonesia, Israel, Ghana, Lebanon, Syria, Pakistan, El Salvador, Jordan, Ukraine, Bolivia, Maldives, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia and Ecuador.  The representative of Lebanon spoke in right of reply.

The Committee will meet again at 10 a.m. on Monday, 13 October, to begin its general discussion on the advancement of women, and the implementation of the outcome of the Fourth World Conference on Women and the twenty-third special session of the General Assembly.

Background

The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) met today to conclude its discussion on crime prevention and criminal justice and international drug control (For more details, please see Press Release GA/SHC/3916).

Statements

SUMAYA SAOUD ( Qatar) said human trafficking was a pressing issue with serious implications for the global community.  In response to that challenge, Qatar had adopted a series of actions, including the establishment of a national commission on human rights and a national bureau to combat human trafficking.  The national bureau coordinated national efforts and formulated policies and plans to combat trafficking in humans.  As well, it helped to provide medical assistance, social assistance and psychological care to women and children victims and set up specialized training programmes for professionals.  Similar efforts had been exerted to help fight corruption in the country.  A national committee of fairness and transparency had been established, in partnership with representatives from the central bank, the public prosecutor’s office and the ministries of economy, trade and foreign affairs.  Qatar was also expected to host the third session of the States parties to the Convention against Corruption in 2009.

Qatar attached special importance to the drug problem, she said.  As such, the Government had set up national legal and operational frameworks to address the problem and had created a specialized department specifically to fight drugs regulated by the State’s anti-drug law.  At the international level, Qatar’s Olympic Committee had created a global fund for the development of sport among young people.  That fund also provided financial grants to non-governmental organizations worldwide that sponsored projects to use sport as a means of preventing the spread of drugs.  Qatar was determined to assert its role in resolving the drug problem on both national and international levels.  Therefore, her Government would seek out all avenues of cooperation with specialized international bodies in the common fight against drugs.

MARTY M. NATALEGAWA ( Indonesia) noted that Brazil had been elected host of the Twelfth United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in 2010.  Congratulating them on their election, he expressed the view that the Congress should take up the issue of natural resources-related crimes, which were detrimental to the ecosystem and obstructive to global efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.  Moving on to the issue of transnational organized crime, money-laundering, and human trafficking, he welcomed efforts to shore up the budget of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for dealing with those illegal activities.  He suggested that a comprehensive international anti-money-laundering instrument might be needed to enable effective international cooperation on money-laundering, and welcomed the joint initiative of UNODC and the World Bank, known as the Stolen Asset Recovery (STAR) Initiative.  Further, he reiterated the effectiveness of the Bali Process to the Vienna Forum on human trafficking in enabling cooperation on that issue and, also, voiced support for a United Nations global plan of action on the subject.

Regarding counter-terrorism, he commended UNODC’s Terrorism Prevention Branch for its delivery of technical assistance in helping nations counter terrorism, from which Indonesia had benefited greatly.  At the regional level, Indonesia was able to spearhead cooperation in law enforcement, border control and the enactment of legislative frameworks for counter-terrorism.  In addition, the Government was actively promoting dialogues among civilizations.  On drugs, he urged against turning a blind eye towards the need for further global policies to fight the trans-border trade in illegal drugs.  Both supply side and demand reduction must be properly addressed and, for that reason, it was important to provide alternative and sustainable livelihoods for the poor.

HAMID CHABAR ( Morocco) noted that the mafia and other organized crime networks profited enormously from all types of illegal trafficking.  The global production of illicit substances had increased and, increasingly, chemical precursors were being diverted from their legitimate uses.  Such trans-border crimes could only be fought through international cooperation and strengthened communication between States.  While he was pleased to see progress in combating illegal activities, such as money-laundering, terrorism and other related crimes, complete success would depend on respect for the rule of law.

He went on to express regret that the world continued to fall short on providing farmers with alternatives to drug crops.  Morocco’s national strategy to fight drugs was a holistic one, involving pilot projects in rural areas designed to help generate income for the poor, especially among women.  As part of that strategy, the Government was working to raise awareness on the merits of establishing cooperatives, particularly in growing fruit trees.  Roads were being built to raise the standard of rural infrastructure up to par with more developed areas.

On money-laundering, he said the Government was working to arrest those involved in money-laundering networks, and had held a workshop on that subject in November 2007, in conjunction with the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL).  He invited other Member States to cooperate with UNODC in its initiatives to fight money-laundering, by first ratifying conventions and protocols dealing with that problem.  Morocco had a law on money-laundering its books, which linked that activity to terrorism.  Money-laundering was severely punished in Morocco, with a jail sentence of two to five years, coupled with heavy fines.  The Government was also setting up a financial database and would freeze illegal assets wherever those were detected.  In addition, it had established a central authority to prevent corruption, which had powerful surveillance mechanisms at its disposal to identify fraudulent activities.

SANDRA SIMOVICH ( Israel) said that organized crime and the illicit drug trade cut across national boundaries, political identities and cultures.  The globalized nature of criminal activity demanded a comprehensive approach, based on international cooperation and an understanding that threats that were allowed to take root in one part of the world would endanger countries in all other parts.  Trafficking and the use of illicit drugs levied a heavy toll on State resources and had a direct impact on the well-being of all citizens.  For decades, Israel had organized education and advocacy campaigns to fight the spread of drugs, and had provided innovative drug treatment and rehabilitation programmes for users.  Inhalants and other legitimate medicines, such as cough syrup, continued to be abused by some youth within Israel and beyond its borders.  Thus, more attention should be paid to that issue at both national and international levels.

While national and multilateral drug control seemed to be working to reduce demand, the story was quite different on the supply side, she said.  The surge in the supply of illicit drugs was cause for alarm and more resources should be devoted to promoting security and development in major drug-producing countries, including through crop substitution programmes.  Drug trafficking also had implications for the international community, because of its known link to terrorism.  In Israel, the link between drugs and terrorism constituted a very real threat.  Therefore, Israel had invested a great deal of manpower and resources to prevent narcotics smuggling, particularly smuggling from Lebanon.  All countries in the region would benefit from increased cooperation and a uniform level of attention to the problem.  The best chance of drastically reducing drug production, trafficking and abuse would be to ensure the comprehensive implementation of commitments to the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and international cooperation at bilateral, regional and multilateral levels.

CLAUDE HELLER ( Mexico) said that international cooperation was the most essential element to ensure results in the global fight against crime.  While States should undertake national policies and plans to control the production, traffic and consumption of drugs, they should, at the same time, perfect their chains of communication and cooperation with other States across the world.  Mexico recognized its own responsibility in the fight against drugs and was approaching the phenomenon in a holistic manner, addressing all the various aspects of drug trafficking and its associated crimes.  Money-laundering, the trade in illicit arms and the trafficking of the chemical precursors frequently used in drug production were all elements of the wider drug problem that were being targeted.  Indeed, the illicit trade in arms constituted one of the highest priorities for Mexico, because of its links to illegal drug trafficking, its threat to the rule of law and the unprecedented increase in the levels of violence it had generated in recent years.

Preventing weapons from reaching the hands of criminals involved in organized crime required both national and international efforts, he continued.  Regional efforts were equally as important, both to combat the arms trafficking and to combat drug production, consumption and abuse.  Mexico was an active participant in a number of regional organizations that helped to control drug trafficking and associated crimes, such as the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD).  His Government was also a vocal supporter of United Nations efforts and it was part of the review process that was currently taking place on the twentieth General Assembly special session to counter the global drug problem.  The results of that review process would hopefully identify the new challenges and priorities in the global fight against drugs and lead to concrete actions for all nations.

LESLIE KOJO CHRISTIAN ( Ghana) joined others in lamenting the “drug menace”, and explained how his country was seeking to control the drug trade in and around its borders.  He said the Government had restructured the narcotics control board by improving its logistical and human resources capacity with extra training.  A strategic plan for 2008 to 2010 would strengthen drug laws and make sure that national legislation conformed to related United Nations conventions.  Some examples of strong laws included the anti-money-laundering laws and a “proceeds of crime” law, aided by statistics gathered by the Food and Drugs Board and the International Narcotics Controls Board, on narcotics, psychotropic substances and precursor chemicals.  Trials for drug offences were also being fast-tracked.  On the demand side, the Government was implementing drug abuse prevention programmes, among other things.

He said it was important for the international community to cooperate in building the capacity of individual countries to implement their anti-narcotics programmes.  At the moment, Ghana was collaborating with the United Kingdom to shore up its expertise in airport interdiction, which was proving useful in thwarting the onward transport of narcotics through Accra International Airport to Europe and elsewhere.  So far, 300 kilos of cocaine, over 2,000 kilos of cannabis and 1.3 kilos of heroin had been seized.  In terms of sea shipment, the World Customs Organization was helping Ghana monitor its main harbour.  However, even with those successes, “We have not come to the end of the road,” he said, calling for increased assistance from donors.  Meanwhile, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) was planning to hold a conference on drug trafficking as a security threat in late October, which would hopefully help establish a stronger framework for addressing the matter.

MAJDI RAMADAN ( Lebanon) said promoting long-term social and economic development was a “major factor” in strengthening criminal justice and crime prevention.  Destination countries should help eliminate illicit drug development, notably by providing funding to rural communities to ensure that farmers found alternatives to drug crops.  Security and the rule of law were indispensable for dry control, but insufficient.  In Lebanon, it was an effort that involved the entire society, including health-care providers.  Facing such global challenges as transnational crime, money-laundering and human trafficking required global cooperation on the basis of shared responsibility, and enhancing the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme was essential.

Describing national efforts, he said Lebanon was a party to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its protocols and, in 1998, passed a revised drug control law.   Lebanon had a “zero-tolerance” policy towards illicit drugs, and had destroyed all hashish and cocaine crops.  To reduce demand, the Government had initiated public awareness programmes, and its drug law called for the creation of a National Council on Drugs to provide treatment.  In addition, the Drug Control Office had regularly participated in the Arab Office for Narcotic Affairs.

Regarding treatment, he said Lebanon had new legislation which defined a drug addict as one suffering from a disease, which gave addicts the choice of entering hospitals rather than prisons.  Noting that Lebanon had been the victim of terrorism in all its forms, he said the country was a “staunch ally” in international efforts to eradicate it.  Having signed and ratified 11 of 13 global conventions on terrorism, Lebanon was equally committed to securing human rights while fighting it.

WARIF HALABI ( Syria) said the enormous impact that drugs had on political stability, as well as its impact on the efforts of countries to achieve sustainable development, warranted serious international attention.  Syria was a State party to most international instruments on the prevention of crime and had signed the United Nations Convention against Corruption.  It had also contributed to international efforts to combat crime through bilateral and multilateral accords, particularly on the issue of the extradition of criminals.  Human trafficking was an organized international crime that recognized no geographic borders.  Nationally, her Government had prepared draft laws to combat human trafficking, in cooperation with various international bodies.  As well, other initiatives had been launched to further elaborate national legislation to combat trafficking in persons.

Syria supported serious international efforts to combat terrorism and treat its root causes, she said.  However, it was necessary to distinguish between terrorist acts and the legitimate right of peoples to resist the illegal occupation of their territories.  A clear definition of terrorism, and a positive result in negotiations on a global treaty to combat terrorism, would be useful towards that end.  On a national level, Syria had established a national agency to deal with money-laundering and financing terrorism.  On the issue of drugs, Syria was intensifying its national efforts to fight drug addiction, particularly among children and youth.  Her Government had implemented an approach that was aimed at raising public awareness and the implementation of comprehensive national drug policies.  Syria would not take a back seat in international efforts to grapple with the scourge of drugs, and it welcomed all cooperation in the field, based on the premise that the problem of drugs was a global scourge that required global efforts.

SULJUK MUSTANSAR TARAR ( Pakistan) remarked that advances in information and communication technology, and progress in the field of transportation, were destructive when exploited by transnational crime.  Apart from upholding national obligations under relevant treaties, Member States must strengthen partnerships and pursue collaborative action against drugs, transnational crime, human trafficking and terrorism through a multifaceted approach.

He said that, for its part, his Government fully recognized the complex intermingling of legal, social and economic issues when it came to organized crime.  For that reason, it had addressed the problem in multiple ways.  For instance, with regard to human trafficking, it had promulgated the Prevention and Control of Human Trafficking Ordinance, and was considering the possibility of crafting a national action plan against human trafficking.  Already, the Government had set up an anti-cybercrime unit within the Federal Investigation Agency, while an anti-narcotics force was working to stymie the illegal drug trade.

Continuing, he said the country was working to reform its criminal justice system and improve its police force, in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank.  Immigration authorities were benefiting from an improved documentation and information system, in order to track the movement of people, while a financial intelligence unit within the State Bank of Pakistan was actively tracking down terrorist financing.

JOSÉ MARÍA MONTERREY SUAY ( El Salvador) said that drug use and abuse was a severe threat to all States.  The scourge of drugs put the rule of law at risk, as well as international security.  All States should be part of the fight against drugs, based on shared but differentiated responsibilities.  In addition, an integrated, coordinated and balanced effort was essential to tackling the complex links between drugs and organized crime.  Any approach should be based on three main priority areas:  education; health and public safety.  On a national level, his Government had mobilized support from local communities, national authorities, the police and representatives of the justice system as part of a “master plan for citizen security”.  That master plan was part of a broader development strategy and addressed all the main priority areas mentioned above.

In terms of national legislation and support for international agreement on the supply and demand of illicit drugs, El Salvador had taken on a major leadership role, he said.  Regionally, the presidents of Central America and Mexico had adopted a security strategy that addressed the many challenges related to organized crime, drug trafficking, illegal arms trafficking, terrorism and corruption.  The strategy was also in line with all the international legal instruments that had been ratified by the participating countries.  The crimes under discussion were not limited to any one State.  Therefore, bilateral and multilateral efforts were needed to ensure a comprehensive and effective response.  Drug use and abuse affected individuals, development, health and security, and drug trafficking and organized crime fed on the weaknesses of Government, such as lack of capacity within law enforcement.  As such, he called for greater international support to help nations increase their own capacity to tackle the crimes, as well as greater international cooperation overall.

MOHAMMED AL-ALLAF (Jordan), noting that human trafficking brought in $31 billion of revenue per year for organized crime networks, commended the United Nations for its global initiative to fight trafficking, the United Nations Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking (UN.GIFT), and looked forward to the debate to examine the possibility of creating a global policy on human trafficking.  For its part, Jordan was party to the Conventions against human trafficking, on slavery and on transnational organized crime, and was considering joining the protocol on prosecution of trafficking offenders.  At the moment, the Council of Ministers in Jordan was examining a draft law on protecting persons against human trafficking, to be submitted to Parliament for approval.  The Ministry of Labour was considering the possibility of hearing cases relating to trafficking.

He then turned to the issue of drug trafficking, advocating strengthened cooperation among Member States on that issue, through increased exchange of information.  Countries must establish laws and normative frameworks to fight illegal drugs, alongside programmes to reduce demand.  Those might include preventing drug use among youth and other vulnerable groups, for example.  Fighting drugs fell under the purview of the award-winning Department of National Security, which was active in coordinating anti-narcotics activities with neighbouring countries.

On terrorism, he welcomed international cooperation on that issue and commended the United Nations for having provided technical assistance to Member States to help consolidate national justice systems.  Jordan was actively implementing its laws against terrorism.  He also touched on corruption, saying the Government had established several bodies to fight corruption, including one in the Prime Minister’s office, as well as within the national intelligence service.  With their help, Jordan was able to improve its ranking on the list maintained by Transparency International relating to corruption.  The country was also part of a voluntary association of nations in the Middle East and North Africa to fight money-laundering, and would continue to fight money-laundering through its laws on drugs, human trafficking, arms and prostitution, with the involvement of banks.  He ended by calling for more political will at the international level to fight crime, in general.

OLHA KAVUN ( Ukraine) expressed a deep concern about the increasing interconnections among international criminal organizations, terrorism, organized crime, drugs and human trafficking.  Such a situation demanded greater national, regional and international efforts, and more effective mechanisms to counter the various challenges.  International cooperation played a key role in building national capacity to tackle crime.  The efforts of UNODC and other United Nations bodies helped to streamline anti-drug and anti-crime operations and activities, within the framework of an integrated approach.  The United Nations Convention against Corruption, the Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking, and the Economic and Social Council resolution to strengthen coordination in the fight against trafficking in persons were particularly appreciated.

Drug-related problems posed a major threat to the security and health of all individuals, communities and societies, she said.  Ukraine used an integrated and comprehensive approach to tackling the problems related to illicit drug production, trade and use.  To improve international and national activities on drugs control, an in-depth review of the progress achieved in meeting the goals and targets set at the twentieth special session of the General Assembly would be essential.  In closing, she drew the Committee’s attention to the link between drug abuse and infectious diseases, such as HIV/AIDS, and suggested that further examination of the links between drug injection and disease would be useful.  However, any response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic would need to be well-coordinated and fully streamlined within the multilateral system and international organizations.  Mainstreamed policies would guarantee the most efficient use of resources and would be in line with the “Delivering as One” United Nations approach.

MARIA DEL CARMEN CASTELLÓN DURÁN ( Bolivia) said it was necessary to address the scourge of drugs, based on the principle of shared responsibility.  Measures should be implemented to reduce the supply, demand and trade in drugs.  However, crop eradication alone would not lead to a decrease in drug trafficking.  For example, millions of tons of chemical precursors used in the production of drugs had been misappropriated and directed to drug-producing countries.  Fighting the trafficking of those precursors would be a more effective way to reduce the overall drug supply.

In past years, violence and repression had marked efforts to combat the drug problem in Bolivia, she said.  Those strategies had not brought about positive success, whereas recent national efforts had.  However, her country’s successes were not always recognized by others.  Indeed, the efforts of other countries to reduce drug production were often “unjustifiably lauded” by the international community, when the reality was that Bolivia had demonstrated greater success.  The ancestral use of the coca leaf for medicinal and curative purposes should be encouraged and more international efforts should be directed towards studies on the public health value of the coca leaf.  She said Bolivia was fully committed to the fight against drugs and it rejected illicit drug trafficking, but reiterated her Government’s position in defence of the cultural right of persons to use the coca leaf for traditional purposes.

AHMED KHALEEL ( Maldives) said drug abuse and drug-related crimes were the most serious socio-economic problems facing his country.  The number of national drug abuse cases had been steadily escalating since the 1990s, especially among those between 16 and 24 years of age.  Rapidly changing values and norms in society had contributed to that escalation, since youth in the country lacked the knowledge and skills to deal with the challenges of the modern world, and often turned to drugs instead.  Drug-related crimes and associated gang violence had increased in recent years, also, and now 80 per cent of prison inmates were either drug abusers or had been at some point in their lives.  Drug abuse was a multifaceted problem that required a well-balanced, well-coordinated and multisectoral approach.  Measures should be aimed both at preventing drugs from entering the country and reducing demand, as well.

Nationally, he said a drug control plan of action had been formulated by the Government to implement, monitor, and coordinate measures and activities associated with national and international drug control.  His Government was also working closely with United Nations agencies, civil society and other regional and international bodies to address drug control issues.  For example, it had recently launched a public awareness campaign in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to prevent drug abuse and promote recovery among addicts.  Touching briefly on the wider issue of international organized crime, he said that partnerships, coordination and monitoring were all critical and fundamental elements of a comprehensive approach.  As such, he reaffirmed the commitment of the Maldives to play its part in all international efforts to combat drug control and organized crime.

WOINSHET TADESSE ( Ethiopia) explained that her country’s location at the Horn of Africa -- a point of intersection between Africa and the Middle East -- made it a popular hub in the illegal drug trade.  The Government had a national drug policy to deter the manufacturing, distribution and consumption of narcotic and psychotropic substances.  If caught, drug traffickers faced 5 to 10 years of imprisonment.  Overall management of the drug policy fell to the Drug Administration and Control Authority, working in partnership with the country’s law enforcement authorities.

UNODC had mobilized a “substantial amount” of resources to help the country with its campaign against illegal drugs and, in turn, Ethiopia submitted quarterly and annual reports to that body, as well as to the International Narcotics Board, she said.  Ethiopia had a long tradition of bilateral and multilateral cooperation in that area and, thanks to the assistance of the United Nations and international partners, its Government had succeeded in strengthening the capacity of law enforcement agencies.  However, it was necessary to mobilize more resources to minimize the potential risks of drug abuse and illicit trafficking that were seriously threatening economic development.

CÉCILE MBALLA EYENGA ( Cameroon) said throughout the world organized crime was a veritable threat to peace and human security, and was taking place on an immense scale.  It was regrettable that funding to combat transnational organized crime was declining, despite growing need for international interventions, especially in Africa.  The pooling of capabilities, as emphasized by all speakers, was key to making headway against trans-border crime, including all forms of terrorism.  As her President had told the General Assembly last month, only with comprehensive, resolute action could the world tackle terrorism, with the UNODC as its catalyst.

She then turned to corruption, likening it to “gangrene”.  She said corruption discouraged investment and perpetuated the misuse of scarce funds.  For its part, Cameroon’s President was focused on ridding the country of corruption by strengthening its legislative framework, improving oversight and fighting economic crime.  Under his leadership, the country had drawn up a modern public procurement code, which was recently promulgated.  Public employees were now obliged to declare their assets, while another draft law was being drawn up to expand the definition of corruption.  Cameroon had numerous bodies to fight corruption, and even had agencies to mete out punishment for “inept managers” responsible for perpetuating a culture of corruption.

ASEIL ALSHAHAIL ( Saudi Arabia) said her country was firmly committed to international efforts to combat transnational organized crime and corruption.  Crime prevention and the improvement of criminal justice systems were not just the responsibilities of one Government.  It was an international responsibility and should be addressed through concerted international coordination and cooperation.  At the national level, Saudi Arabia had adopted a national plan to combat human trafficking.  That plan included a number of initiatives, in particular one that would launch a statistical survey into the current situation on the ground.  The rights of victims of human trafficking were of particular concern, and the national plan would be elaborated to prevent any further transgressions against those persons.  Though many national efforts were being deployed to combat the use of, and trafficking in, narcotics, more coordinated action was needed at a more global level between governmental and non-governmental organizations, as well as within Government ministries and between Governments themselves.

MARÍA FERNANDA ESPINOSA ( Ecuador) said terrorism was not just a threat to national and international security, but also an attack on human rights and dignity.  Tackling terrorism required coordinated global action, with full respect for international law and human rights.  Action was necessary at all levels:  regional; subregional; national; and international.  National efforts included the ratification of “innumerable” international and regional conventions against terrorism.  In compliance with its commitments, Ecuador spared no effort in adapting its national legislation to international standards, in areas such as:  maritime security; crimes against international protected persons or groups; physical protection of nuclear materials; the financing of terrorism; and recruitment or support for terrorist activities.

In regards to the reduction of illicit drug trafficking, she noted that her country was not a drug-producing country, nor a producer or distributor of alkaloids, or a centre for money-laundering.  However, her Government was still fully committed to the fight against drug trafficking, under the principle of shared responsibility.  In conclusion, she expressed her hope that other nations would recognize the efforts of States, such as Ecuador, and take similar actions themselves.

Rights of Reply

MAJDI RAMADAN ( Lebanon), exercising his right of reply, spoke against what he viewed as the politicization of the issue of international drug control by the representative of Israel.  The Israeli representative had indicated that one of Israel’s neighbours was uncooperative in the effort to fight drugs, that is Lebanon.  However, Lebanon would always be willing to cooperate to further the region’s interests, whether Arab or Israeli, when Israel withdrew from the remaining Lebanese occupied land and all the other Arab occupied lands in Palestine and Syria and when a peace was reached that honoured the right of the Palestinian refugees to return to their homes.  Lebanon and the Arab States had chosen peace and cooperation in the 2002 Beirut Arab Peace Initiative.  As far as Israeli talk about cooperation, he invited the Israeli delegate to demonstrate that his words really meant something “by asking his Government to withdraw from our land”.

He said that, according to facts drawn from reports, most notably reports of the United States Department of States and the United Nations Drug Enforcement Agency, Israel was at the centre of the traffic in the “Ecstasy” drug.  A drug trafficking network operating out of Belgium was Israeli.  Israeli groups were controlling the production and shipment of the “Ecstasy” drug to the United States.  He said his Government favoured a constructive approach to global problems, and so regretted having had to point out such facts.  But, he had felt compelled to do so.

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