News and Events

 

UNODC and SELEC sign Memorandum of Understanding to counter illicit trafficking, crime and money laundering in Southeastern Europe

Bucharest, December 4th, 2012 - On 4 December 2012, The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Southeast European Law Enforcement Center (SELEC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at furthering joint cooperation in countering illicit trafficking, crime and money laundering. The MoU is the first cooperation agreement between the two entities and was signed by UNODC Director for Operations, Mr. Aldo Lale-Demoz, and SELEC Director-General, Mr. Gürbüz Bahadir.

The MoU constitutes an important partnership-building step for UNODC Regional Programme for South Eastern Europe to strengthen cooperation within the Balkans and beyond. Speaking at the signing ceremony, the UNODC Director for Operations said the MoU will promote better coordination and joint initiatives between UNODC and SELEC in years to come, for the benefit of states within and outside Southeastern Europe. He also noted that both SELEC and UNODC understand that serious organized crime problems surfacing in one member state, if unchecked, will have direct negative consequences on states within and outside the region.

SELEC is a regional instrument for cooperation of law enforcement and intelligence agencies. It is located in Bucharest, Romania. SELEC is a successor of SECI (Southeast European Cooperative Initiative established in the late 1990's). It consists of 13 member states: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia and Turkey. The primary objective of SELEC is to provide a platform for law enforcement cooperation among member states to prevent and combat transnational crime. Its excellent facilities can deliver trainings, specialized task force meetings and conferences.

 

 

 

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Regional workshop for Governmental Experts participating in  the Review Mechanism for the United Nations Convention against Corruption
8-9 December 2010 Belgrade, Serbia

The UNODC Regional Programme Office for SEE (RPOSEE) based in Sofia, Bulgaria organised this regional workshop with the kind support of the Serbian Anti-Corruption Agency in the frame of implementation of UNODC Regional Programme for Promoting the Rule of Law and Human Security in South Eastern Europe (2009-2011), in partnership with the Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative (RAI).

The workshop's main objective was to respond to the needs identified to improve national capacities in self assessment of progress made in the implementation of UNCAC and to develop participants' capacity to take part in the UNCAC Review Mechanism. More specifically, the workshop sought to:

  • Equip participants with the requisite substantive expertise in UNCAC provisions to  undergo and perform self assessment and reviews;
  • Enable participants to become thoroughly proficient in the use of the comprehensive self-assessment checklist;
  • Train the participants in the methodology for country reviews;
  • Build capacity of participants to reproduce the training at the national level.

The workshop was designed to deliver particular learning objectives in an interactive manner . It included plenary presentations which enabled experts and stakeholders to provide presentations and engage in discussions with a view to exchanging information and clarifying key concepts. It also included interactive exercises and practical applications.

The workshop was attended by governmental experts participating in the Review Mechanism for the United Nations Convention against Corruption from the following countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, FYR of Macedonia and Serbia.

 

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Strengthening national and regional capacities in freezing, seizure, confiscation and management of proceeds of crime
29 November- 1 December 2010 Sofia, Bulgaria

The Regional workshop "Strengthening national and regional capacities in freezing, seizure, confiscation and management of proceeds of crime" was organized by the UNODC Regional Programme Office for SEE (RPOSEE). It was funded by the French Government in the frame of UNODC Regional Programme for Promoting the Rule of Law and Human Security in South Eastern Europe (2009-2011).The workshop was opened by H.E. Philippe Autiē, Ambassador of the Republic of France  in Bulgaria.  The French Embassy in Bulgaria and the Regional Unit Against Organized Crime in SEE, French Embassy, Croatia contributed to the organization of the workshop by ensuring the presence of  French  experts in the area.

The event was organized in partnership with the Southeast European Prosecutors Advisory Group (SEEPAG) in the frame of the Bulgarian Chairmanship of SEEPAG. All SEEPAG participating countries were invited to send two - three representatives. SEEPAG invited and ensured the participation of two U.S. experts.

The workshop's main goal was to respond to the needs identified to improve international cooperation and mutual legal assistance in criminal matters between SEE countries and more specifically in the areas of freezing, seizure, confiscation and management of proceeds of crime.

It has been recognized that cooperation is improving in the SEE region. Several significant cases of successfully finalized operations were reported, incl. by freezing bank accounts. However, it has been highlighted that problems remain in the frame of respective national legislations that need to be harmonized with international/European legislation in order to make MLA and other forms of international cooperation more effective.

All participants agreed that the workshop contributed to the enhancement of common understanding on legal and practical aspects of the topics discussed and to strengthening regional/international cooperation at both institutional and informal level among countries in the region and beyond.

Technical assistance needs and follow-up actions identified by participants

  • Improve application of international cooperation provisions of UNTOC;
  • Update regularly information on contact details and other information regarding international cooperation for each country on SEEPAG website;
  • Bring together judges, prosecutors and other practitioners to discuss draft legislation before being submitted to respective  Parliaments;
  • Exchange  information in real time in order to make collaboration more effective;
  • Train police officers in respect of cultural heritage and goods with historic/archeological value;

 

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Training workshop on establishing juvenile justice information systems in South Eastern Europe

12-15 October 2010 National Institute of Justice, Sofia, Bulgaria

 

UNICEF and UNODC, in cooperation with the Bulgarian Ministry of Justice and the Bulgarian National Institute of Justice, organized the "Training Workshop on Establishing Juvenile Justice Information Systems in SEE", aiming at gathering government officials and professionals from South Eastern European countries/territories in order to enhance knowledge concerning the UNODC/UNICEF juvenile justice indicators, capacity for analysis of existing data collection systems and inter-ministerial cooperation in developing national plans for improving existing juvenile justice information systems.

The workshop was attended by 35 participants from Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo UNSCR 1244, the FYR of Macedonia and Serbia.

The establishment of comprehensive and sustainable juvenile justice information systems  contributes to ensuring that children in conflict with the law are treated according to their best interests and that children's rights are respected; enables more efficient administration and oversight, hence accountability, of bodies making up the juvenile justice/child protection system and; is essential for informing policy/law formulation, strategic resources planning, policy/law implementation and impact monitoring.

At the end of the works, country delegations developed national action plans in order to start building integrated and sustainable juvenile justice information systems and to indentify the support needed in order to enable the fulfillment of the basic functions of collection, collation, calculation and use of data the local and central level.

 

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Regional Ministerial Conference "Strengthening regional and trans-national cooperation as a pre-condition for the successful fight against organized crime in Southeastern Europe"

4-5 October, Belgrade


The Conference was held in Belgrade on 4-5 October 2010 and opened by Serbian President Boris Tadic, First Deputy Prime Minister and  Interior Minister Ivica Dacic, Justice Minister Snezana Malovic, Head of the EU Delegation in Serbia Vincent Degert and the Head of the OSCE Mission in Serbia Dimitrios Kypreos.

Conference participants included Ministers of Interior and Ministers of Justice of countries in the South East Europe region, neighbouring and donor countries, prosecutors as well as international organizations: UNODC, EUROPOL, INTERPOL, SECI Center, EUROJUST, Council of Europe, OSCE, MARRI, IOM, EULEX etc. UNODC intervention focused on two sessions: Human Trafficking and Police cooperation and information exchange in organized crime matters.

 

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International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

26 June 2010

 

Bulgaria

On the occasion of 26 June - International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking the team of Sofia Municipality Center for Addictions implemented a series of events.

From June 14 to 18 were held four information sessions for school health professionals from Sofia. The meetings were attended by 125 health professionals from 153 metropolitan schools. Last updated printed materials and publications of the Centre were distributed, presented and discussed: data from recent school studies, opportunities for implementation of prevention programs in schools, creation of new activities and programs to which school health professionals can guide young people and parents for consultation.

26 June - International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking was marked by campaigns among young Roma people and in High-School Al. Pushkin and High-School Tzar Ivan Assen II. Young people were given shirts with the slogan for June 26 - "Think health, not drugs" and information materials provided by the UNODC Regional Programme Office for South Eastern Europe - Bulgaria.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

NGO "Nada" (Hope), representing parents whose children are drug addicts, marked the day by distributing educational material in Tuzla. Report on the web link includes mention of UNODC's efforts to raise awareness of the dangers of drug abuse.

http://www.rtvtk.ba/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&catid=81%3Aeurope&id=15228%3Au-tuzli-obiljeen-meunarodni-dan-borbe-protiv-droge&Itemid=197

Croatia

Anti-Narcotics Department of the Government of Croatia organized a street event on 26 June in Zagreb, with participation also of the the Croatian Red Cross. The web report also quotes figures from the UNODC World Drug Report.

http://www.hck.hr/?path=hr/novosti/opsirnije/418

Montenegro

NGO Preporod ("REBIRTH"), whose Director Mr. Jovan Bulajic attended the UNODC regional workshop of NGOs in 2007 in Belgrade, developed a rather interesting and creative leaflet which was distributed on 26 June in several towns in Montenegro.

Serbia

The marking of the International Day against Drug Abuse in Serbia took place on Friday 25th and Saturday 26th June.

On the first day, a press conference was held at which the main partners in this year's campaign had the opportunity to present their achievements and future action plans to the media. Apart from the Serbian Health Minister, Mr. Tomica Milosavljevic, national institute for public health "Batut" and representative of the European Union Delegation in Serbia, UNODC was also represented by Mr. William Infante, UN Resident Coordinator who promoted the message of the Secretary General and the underlying slogan "Think Health, Not Drugs". This was followed by a conference of experts at which activities and projects endorsed by the Ministry of Health were presented, including two UNODC projects introduced to the public and participants by the UNODC National Project Officer Milos Stojanovic. The implementation of the two projects has just recently commenced and those are: the "UNODC-WHO programme on drug dependence treatment and care" and "Prevention of drug use, HIV/AIDS and crime among young people through family skills training programmes in low- and middle-income countries".

 

On the second day, an outreach street event was organized in the city center and included presence of UNODC, the main partners in the campaign, European INSADA project as well as the Serbian Red Cross volunteers and a number of NGOs. Also, an evening performance of the theater play "We the Children from the Station Zoo" was held at Belgrade's "Dadov" theater.

All manifestations related to the Anti-Drug Day received wide press coverage, including the launch of the UNODC World Drug Report

Albania

Under the slogan "Think Health - Not Drugs", the UNODC Project Office in Tirana in cooperation with the Institute of Public Health organized a press conference with the aim to sensitize the people and youth in general and policy makers in particular to the harms of using drugs. The press conference was organized at Tirana International Hotel with the participation of the Minister of Health, Mr. Petrit Vasili and Minister of Interior, Mr. Lulzim Basha. In attendance were also local and international media workers, representatives from health, education and law enforcement entities.

In his speech, Mr. Vasili stated that the government is adapting a new approach to the spreading problem of drug abuse in Albania. This approach constitutes in the close contacts and assistance provided to the affected families.

While Mr. Basha, focused on the efforts of the Albanian Government to the fight against illicit trafficking, cultivation and production of narcotics and on the coordinated effort to combat the phenomenon. Minister Basha also stated that under the new Anti Mafia Law part of the resources benefited from the confiscated criminal proceeds would be used to support treatment and care services for drug abusers.

 

Both ministers confirmed that the new anti drug strategy 2011-2016 would introduce a new and more moderated vision to combating drug supply and reduction. They stated that concerted efforts to reduce Albania's society vulnerability to drugs would be increased by channeling the energies of the younger generation to engage in sports as well as focus to work on socially relevant causes, and rededicate them to a healthier life.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in Albania will support the Albanian Government  to address drug abuse and drug addiction as any other health disorder through the implementation of two projects on drug use prevention interventions and providing drug dependence treatment and care services, which are based on scientific evidence and on ethical standards.

 

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Regional Workshop "The fight against the implication of organized crime in counterfeiting and intellectual piracy"

9-11 June 2010, Skopje


 

The regional workshop "The fight against the implication of organized crime in counterfeiting and intellectual piracy", organized by the Regional Programme Office for South Eastern Europe of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC SEE), in cooperation with the Pôle régional de lutte contre la criminalité organisée en Europe du Sud-Est, with the kind assistance of the Customs Administration of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia was held in Skopje 9-11 June.

The workshop was aimed at increasing awareness of respective local authorities and counterparts from Albania, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Kosovo under the UNSCR 1244 on the risks and dangers to security and health in relation to counterfeiting and piracy.

The workshop brought together representatives of public administration, judiciary and private companies whose activities are interlinked with the issue of counterfeiting and piracy.

It appears that all three countries/territories have undertaken significant steps to address the crime of counterfeit and intellectual piracy, which included the improvement of national legislation and operative actions against counterfeiting. Nevertheless, some countries/territories emphasized that there is still a need for strengthening national legislation, as well as operational capacity, in particular with regard to the identification of counterfeit goods, joint operations, exchange of information etc.

The participants agreed that counterfeiting continues to pose a significant threat to the economy and societies in the region and that joint effort on national, regional and international level is required to fight this threat. Furthermore, close cooperation with the national and international enforcement authorities should be established, including the exchange of information and organization of joint investigations. Cooperation with the private sector should be enhanced as well. The technical skills and knowledge of law enforcement officials with regard to counterfeiting and intellectual property rights should be improved.

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First Regional Workshop on the Strengthening of Justice and Home Affairs Statistic in the Western Balkans

12-14 May 2010, Skopje

 

The "First Regional Workshop on the Strengthening of Justice and Home Affairs Statistic in the Western Balkans" was held in Skopje from 12-14 May 2010 as a part of the project "Development of Monitoring Instruments for Judicial and Law Enforcement Institutions in the Western Balkans", with the support of European Union under the 2006 CARDS project. The aim of the project is to bring justice and home affairs statistics systems towards international and EU standards.


The workshop was attended by experts from relevant justice and home affairs (JHA) institutions of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, TFYR Macedonia, Kosovo under UNSCR 1244, Montenegro and Serbia, covering police, prosecution, courts, border authorities and national statistical offices as well as UNODC staff and local focal points, project partners and associates and relevant international organizations.


The meeting was attended by 37 participants from 7 countries/territories of the region in the addition to representatives from 10, regional, international or non-governmental organizations and two independent experts.


The "First Regional Workshop on the Strengthening of Justice and Home Affairs Statistic in the Western Balkans" was opened by His Excellency Mr. Mihailo Manevski, Minister of Justice of The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Introductory statements were also made by Mr. Patrick Paquet, First Secretary of the Delegation of the European Union to the The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Ms. Carla Ciavarella, Regional Representative of the United Nations on Drugs and Crime for Southeast Europe.


Participants agreed on the importance of straightening the capacities of Justice and Home Affairs institutions, including police, prosecution, courts and institutions involved in asylum, visa and migration issues, to record, compile, report and disseminate statistics that are timely, accurate, reliable and in accordance with international standards and EU acquis and current practices.


Participants have also agreed on the individual, national priority needs of training on the development of administrative systems of collection, aggregation, analysis, interpretation and dissemination of data in accordance with the EU and other international standards.  The training should start in September 2010. An integral part of the training will be a pilot data collection exercise.

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UNODC launches the third phase of ALB/G70 project

31 March, 2010

 

A formal ceremony marking the launch of the third phase of the Project on  "Strengthening of enhanced border control capacities and criminal justice response towards illicit trafficking and organized crime in Albania" was conducted on March 31 st, 2010 in Tirana, Albania.

This Phase of the Project is a continuation of the UNODC ALB/G70 Project implemented in close collaboration with the Albanian State Police Directorate and Customs Administration as the key Government cooperating agency.

The Project will continue to assist the Government to better respond to the requirements of SSA and visa liberalization process so much linked to the fight against organized crime and corruption.

Attending the ceremony were the General Director of the Albanian State Police, Mr. Hysni Burgaj, Head of the Italian Cooperation Office in Tirana, Mr. Flavio Lovisolo, the UN Resident Coordinator in Albania, Ms. Gulden Turkoz-Cosslett, the UNODC Regional Program Coordinator, Ms. Carla Ciavarella, who moderated the activity, representatives of customs directorate, border police and donors assisting Albania in the area of rule of law.

The appearance of Mr. Flavio Lovisolo was in recognition of his country's contribution to the funding of the UNODC Project (Phase III) in Albania with a total of 400.000 Euro. Italy continues to be the major donor to ALB/G70 Project in Albania with a total funding of 1.5 million USD.

 

 

During their speeches, all the invitees stated that border management and fight against organized crime still continue to be a priority issue for Albania in order to move steps forward in the process of EU integration.

On behalf of the Albanian State Police, Mr. Hysni Burgaj said that UNODC' assistance has greatly enhanced the ability of the Albanian counterparts to deal with the challenge of cross border threats and have led to notable success.

The ceremony was also followed with the presentations of the UNODC' assistance at the regional level made by Ms. Ciavarella and a presentation on the ALB/G70 objectives and activities under the current phase.

The ceremony was widely covered in the electronic and print media.

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Computer Based Training (CBT) Workshop for South East European countries held in Ankara, Turkey

18-19 February 2010

 

With the support of the UNODC Regional Office for East Asia and Pacific, UNODC Regional Office for South Eastern Europe and the Turkish Academy Against Drugs and Organized Crime (TADOC), a CBT workshop was held and focused on the delivery and implementation of CBT throughout South Eastern European Countries.

The workshop was officially opened by Carla Ciavarella - UNODC Regional Programme Coordinator RPOSEE, Rod Curtis Senior Law Enforcement Advisor UNODC RCEAP and Mr Iikay AKAY Deputy Director TADOC

The Turkish Academy Against Drugs and Organized Crime (TADOC) hosted the event, which was part of the Regional Programme for Promoting the Rule of Law and Human Security in South Eastern Europe.

Law enforcement officials from the countries participating in the Programme - Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina (including Bosniak-Croat Federation and Republika Srpska), Croatia, Montenegro and Serbia - took part in the training. The delegation of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia was unable to participate as originally planned due to last minute developments.

The Computer Based Training (CBT) allows law enforcement agencies throughout the world to deliver training to their staff in their own language on standalone machines.

The aim of the workshop was to provide the law enforcement officials from the participating countries with an opportunity to view the CBT facility in TADOC, learn about its development, significance and its ongoing strategy as part of the Programme's target area "Building the capacity of front-line Law Enforcement Agencies and Financial Intelligence Units on e-learning platform of CBT".

TADOC is home to the only CBT facility in Europe and its staff passed on their experience to their colleagues from the participating countries.

On the first day, the TADOC staff, together with representatives of the CBT facility in Thailand, briefed the participants on their work and the operation of the system. The participants were then given practical training and tested the CBT facility.

On the second day, the participants prepared a brief summary of their experience, which was overwhelmingly positive. The director of the police academy in Republika Srpska, Mr. Goran Amidzic, among others, praised the CBT system and announced that he was ready to introduce it in his regular curriculum.

The workshop was concluded with a discussion led by the UNODOC RCEAP representative Rod Curtis, Senior Law Enforcement Advisor for CBT about the assessment of CBT in South Eastern Europe and its implementation timetable.

It was agreed at the workshop that Montenegro would be the first South East European country to host the pilot program for introducing the CBT.

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Second Steering Committee Meeting in Vienna, Austria

25 January 2010

The purpose of the meeting was for the Steering Committee to review the progress of the Regional Programme in the course of 2009 and to арргоvе the workplan for 2010. During the meeting а detailed draft of the Regional Programme containing estimated costs for the duration of its implementation was presented to the Steering Committee for its approval. The elaborated version of the Regional Programme is а direct result of the joint work bу UNODC and countries of the region, as well as other partners over the course of 2009. Furthermore, it is fully in line with the Joint Statement of the High-Level Conference that took place in Belgrade оn 30-31 March 2009.

Similar to the first meeting of the Steering Committee that took place in Vienna оn 30 September 2009, it was suggested that the morning session bе devoted to policy matters, and that the afternoon session focus оn а particular subject matter. In line with this suggestion, UNODC proposed reviewing the Regional Programme's оutcome areas оn linking law enforcement and justice institutions as well as оn legislative assistance and capacity building as it is related to the implementation of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC), including the Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) tools.

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Regional Conference on the Multiannual Regional Strategy in the Justice and Home Affairs Area in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

16 - 17 December 2009

1. Conference Objective

UNODC participated in the Regional Conference on the Multiannual Regional Strategy in the Justice and Home Affairs Area in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The conference, organized by the RCC, focused on how to enhance cooperation and coordination between participating states on the regional level in the area of Justice and Home Affairs.

2. Conference Participants

Participants included representatives of the RCC member states from South Eastern Europe, as well as representatives of the European Union Council and Commission, the European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drugs Addiction (EMCDDA), the International Center for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), the International Organization for Migrations (IOM), the International Criminal Police Organization, (Interpol), the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the EU Police Mission (EUPM), UNODC, the Migration Asylum and Refugees Initiative (MARRI), the Secretariat for the Police Cooperation Convention for South East Europe (PCC-SEE Secretariat), the Regional Anticorruption Initiative (RAI), the SECI Center for combating trans-border organized crime (SECI), the South East Europe Prosecutors Advisory Group (SEEPAG), the South-East Europe Police Chiefs Association (SEPCA) and the RCC.

3. Conference Outcomes and Recommendations

At the conclusion of the conference, the participants concluded that regional cooperation has to involve as much as possible EU agencies for police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters, such as Europol and Eurojust, as well as OLAF, Frontex, Cepol, law enforcement agencies such as Interpol, and international organizations, such as UNODC, OSCE, Council of Europe, ICMPD, IOM.

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Training Course on Corruption Investigations in Podgorica,  Montenegro

14 -15 December 2009

1. Training Course Objective

The training course was organized by the Montenegrin Judicial Training Centre, the OSCE Mission to Montenegro and UNDP-Montenegro in Podgorica, Montenegro from 14 - 15 December 2009. Its aim was to follow-up on the Regional Seminar on Criminal Liability of Legal Persons and Tracing, Seizure, Confiscation and Recovery of Assets held in Montenegro from 21-24 October 2009, and in doing so increase the capacity of Montenegrin judicial officials to effectively conduct investigations in cases of corruption.

2. Training Course Participants

The participants at the training course were highlevel judges and prosecutors from Montenegro judges and prosecutors directly involved in anticorruption cases, primarily from the special departments for Organized Crime, War Crimes and Corruption in Podgorica and Bijelo Polje.

3. Training Course Activities

During the course of the training, a series of lectures were given by two UNODC experts, Erik Larson and Heikki Wendorf, covering the various facets of corruption investigations, with a focus on practical exercises and actual implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and international good practices in corruption cases. A detailed briefing was given on the use of special investigative actions in corruption investigations, with a focus on UNCAC Article 50 and the relevant provisions of the Montenegrin Code of Criminal Procedure. In addition, a discussion was held on international cooperation in corruption investigations, with a focus on both Chapter IV of the UNCAC, as well as regional and international good practices in this area. Furthermore, another trainer presented how the material covered during the course of the workshop is relevant in the day-to-day work of the anti-corruption prosecutors and judges who participated.

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Regional Conference on Strengthening Regional Cooperation in South Eastern Europe in the Implementation of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption in Sofia, Bulgaria

9 - 11 December 2009

1. Conference Objective

The conference in Sofia, Bulgaria from December 9 - 11, 2009 was organized by RPOSEE with the assistance of UNDP Bulgaria, the Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative (RAI), and RCC. The conference took place under the patronage of the patronage of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Interior of the Republic of Bulgaria. It was organized to mark the International Anti-Corruption Day on December 9, 2009, and its main aim was to increase the level of public attention on the United Nations "Say NO To Corruption" campaign and its message.

2. Conference Participants

119 participants took part in the conference, which included: 39 representatives from the beneficiary countries/territories of the Regional Programme, one representative per country from Turkey, Moldova and Romania, 4 representatives from RAI, one representative from RCC, and other representative from various government institutions in Bulgaria, as well as the Diplomatic Missions of SEE countries and EU Member States and international organizations.

3. Conference Activities

The activities during the conference focused on raising the level of understanding on and the implementation of international standards on anti-corruption, the exchange good practices on anti-corruption legislative, strategic and institutional frameworks, and identifying the way to address the regional needs through specific regional activities that UNODC will be able to develop within the framework of the UNODC Regional Programme for South Eastern Europe.

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Assessment Missions conducted in the Area of Criminal Intelligence Analysis - To Montenegro, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina

8 - 16 December 2009 MORE

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Regional Conference on Strengthening Regional Cooperation in the Area of Asset Recovery by Creating a Regional Network of Practitioners and Building a Platform for Exchange of Information, Experience and Good Practices in Sofia, Bulgaria

2 - 4 December 2009

1. Conference Objective

The conference, hosted by Bulgaria, was organized by the Stolen Asset Recovery Initiative (StAR), a joint project of UNDOC and the World Bank. The conference focused on the benefits of using the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) for recovering assets stolen by corrupt political leaders or senior civil servants who hide their illicit proceeds abroad. In addition, it was to serve as a forum for participants to exchange experiences and address how to improve the coordination of policies and methods of cooperation, in particular in the area of international cooperation in asset seizure and confiscation, as well as methods aimed at enhancing channels for communication.     MORE

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Mission to Kosovo under UNSCR 1244

2 - 3 December 2009

1. Objective

The objective of the mission to Pristina, Kosovo under UNSCR 1244 was to assess the current situation in the territory in regard to the areas falling under the mandate of UNODC, so that assistance could be provided through the Regional Programme to Kosovo under UNSCR 1244 in order to better effectively confront outstanding issues.

The entire engagement was planned and undertaken in line with the UN's status neutral position concerning the unilateral declaration of independence and the status of Kosovo as a territory in accordance with the UNSCR 1244.      MORE

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Conference to Finalize Guidelines on International Legal Cooperation Instruments in the Area of Anti-Human Trafficking and the Smuggling of Migrants in Belgrade, Serbia

24 - 26 November 2009

The United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Regional Programme Office for South East Europe (RPOSEE) carried out the second Workshop to Develop Guidelines on International Legal Cooperation Instruments in the Area of Anti-Human Trafficking and Smuggling of Migrants .

The workshop is being organized within the German funded extension of the "Enhancing operational capacity to investigate and disrupt human trafficking activities in the Western Balkans".

The Guidelines will cover both legal and law enforcement aspects of regional cooperation instruments. Therefore, the workshop entailed the participation of judges, prosecutors and police officers who regularly deal with cases of human trafficking and smuggling of migrants. In addition, National Anti-Human Trafficking Coordinators from each of Western Balkan countries/territories were invited to participate.

Following this joint discussion, the participants were divided into two working groups; the first working discussing the legal aspects of the guidelines, and the second working group focusing on the law enforcement aspects of the guidelines.

In order to finalize the Guidelines, it was agreed that the UNODC would take into consideration all the comments and suggestions. To that end, participants would provide to the UNODC experts the relevant national legislation documents and the list of agreements between the countries of the region relating specifically to TIP / SOM. The finalized draft of the guidelines will translated and distributed to the authorities of project beneficiary countries/territories for the feedback and comment.

The second day of the conference was devoted to the discussion on the topic of "Human Trafficking and Corruption"-namely the problem of corruption in the context of human trafficking, the linkages between these two criminal phenomena, and international/regional strategies and responses against them.

Two presentations were made. Mr. Erik Larson, from UNODC Vienna, presented on the main provisions of The United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), and Ms. Silke Albert, from UNODC Vienna, presented the paper "The Role of Corruption in Trafficking in Persons ". She pointed out that corruption can be both a root cause for trafficking in persons and an impediment for effective criminal justice responses.

The presentations were followed by an open discussion, in which all delegations took an active part. The participants agreed that greater attention should be paid to linkages between TIP and corruption, in order to more effectively combat these two crimes. Criminal justice practitioners need to adopt a comprehensive approach to the problem and not to exclusively concentrate on either of these two criminal activities. Otherwise, there is risk of duplicating efforts from all actors involved in this area. Significant obstacles to this approach remain, including the lack of data and reporting in regards to TIP and corruption.

From the discussion, the conclusion can be drawn that knowledge regarding the linkages between these two crimes should be enhanced in order to strengthen the capacities of criminal justice systems in fighting TIP and corruption, including the introduction of innovative approaches which address both issues jointly.

Further to the above, a promising practice was shown in the UNODC project "Combating trafficking in persons in Colombia", presented by Mr. Carlos Andres Perez Gallego from the UNODC Office in Bogota. The presentation illustrated how the UNODC developed activities, in the framework of a cooperation agreement with national authorities, to investigate and prosecute the crimes of human trafficking and corruption in Colombia. The results can be divided into three phases: the first one, from 2003 to 2005, consisted of a legislative harmonization period, the second phase, from 2005 to 2007, was focused on institutional strengthening and the third phase, from 2007 until present, concentrated on specialized training of local officials responsible for the prevention, investigation and prosecution of these crimes.

In addition, Mr. Harald Craigher, a Public Prosecutor from Austria, shared his country's experience in the fight against corruption and human trafficking.

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Regional Workshop on the Review of the Compliance with and Implementation of International Legal Regime on International Cooperation within South Eastern European Countries in Sofia, Bulgaria

16 - 18 November 2009

1. Workshop Objective

The main aim of the workshop held in Sofia, Bulgaria from 16 - 18 November 2009 was to increase knowledge, expertise and institutional capacities of SEE countries in the field of international cooperation and mutual legal assistance in the frame of United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC). During the course of the workshop, focus was put on some problematic areas that are common for all countries in the region, namely: liability of legal persons and mutual legal assistance in criminal matters concerning legal persons, international cooperation for purposes of confiscation, seizures and freezing of asset, and exchange of data from criminal records. The workshop also provided participants with the opportunity to discuss common problems for their countries in the field of international cooperation and mutual legal assistance, as well as make recommendations for further actions, projects, and interventions necessary at the regional level.      MORE

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Regional Training Course for Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) Analysts in Tirana, Albania

9 - 16 November 2009

1. Training Course Objective

The UNODC Global Programme against Money Laundering, Proceeds of Crime and the Financing of Terrorism delivered of a five-day regional training course for FIU analysts in Tirana, Albania from 9 to 16 November 2009.

2. Training Course Participants

Participants of the training course included representatives from the following countries and territories: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, FYR of Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Kosovo under UNSCR1244.

3. Training Course Activities

Mr. Agim Rushaj, deputy Minister of Finance for Albania formally opened the training course. Mr. Arben Doci, Head of Albanian FIU also attended the opening and a number of training sessions throughout the week.

The FIU Analyst training was delivered via classroom presentations, group exercises, regular reviews and a practical exercise designed to incorporate various elements of the course. The training course provided its participants with skills in financial intelligence analysis, introduced participants to sources of information to add value to analyses, gave insight into analytical tools and techniques, and allowed participants to apply newly acquired skills in charting, analysis, and presentation. A component of the course specifically focuses on intelligence report writing.

In addition, participants learned about the relationship between the FIU and agencies responsible for investigation of money laundering and the financing of terrorism and how to ensure that high quality information is provided to these agencies.

4. Feedback from Trainees

Trainees provided extensive feedback using a form designed by the UNODC Global Programme against Money Laundering, Proceeds of Crime and the Financing of Terrorism (GPML) to assess the course content and delivery methods employed by the trainers. Feedback from trainees attending the FIU Analyst Regional Workshop is very positive. Trainees were asked to complete an Evaluation and Feedback Form at the end of the training. The form required trainees to rate the quality of each of the training sessions with a numeric value of 1 to 5, with 1 being 'Poor', 2 'Below Average', 3 'Average', 4 'Good' and 5 'Excellent'. The sessions on 'Sources of Information', 'Link Charting', 'Evaluation of Information', 'Report Writing' and the 'Practical Exercise' were considered by trainees as the most beneficial sessions. Trainees also highly rated the methodologies employed by the trainers to deliver the course. The pace of delivery and the level of complexity of the course were both considered appropriate by trainees. All of the trainees said the training taught them something new and all said that the practical exercises were helpful in reinforcing their learning.

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Assessment Missions conducted in the Area of Computer Based Training (CBT) - To Turkey, Albania, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro and Serbia

3 November - 23 December 2009 MORE

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Regional Seminar on International Standards in the Area of Drug Prevention and Treatment Introduced into the National Systems of the South Eastern European Countries in Sofia, Bulgaria

2-4 November 2009

1. Seminar Objective

The UNODC RPOSEE organized a seminar within the framework of the Regional Programme in Sofia, Bulgaria from 2 - 4 November 2009. The aim of the meeting was to increase the knowledge, expertise and the institutional capacities of the South Eastern European countries to prevent and treat drug-related problems. This aim was to be fulfilled through the exchange of national experiences and best practices, as well as through the introduction to the newest and most advanced perspectives on Drug Demand reduction and developments in the field of drug dependence treatment and care. The purpose of the seminar was also to define more specific and concrete technical assistance activities to meet the regional needs that had already been identified.

During the course of the seminar, UNODC presented an overview of the UNODC Regional Programme, focusing primarily on the third Sub-programme, and presented the participants with steps that had already previously been undertaken.     MORE

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Assessment Missions conducted in the Area of Forensics-To FYR of Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Albania

27 October  - 17 November 2009 MORE

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Regional Seminar on Criminal Liability of Legal Persons and Tracing, Seizure, Confiscation and Recovery of Assets in Kolasin, Montenegro

21 - 24 October 2009

1. Seminar Objective

UNODC participated in the Regional Seminar on Criminal Liability of Legal Persons and Tracing, Seizure, Confiscation and Recovery of Assets organized by the Directorate of Anti-Corruption Initiative (DACI) anti-corruption agency in Montenegro from 21 - 24 October 2009. The purpose of the meeting was to improve the knowledge of the participants in regards to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and international asset recovery initiatives and practices.

2. Seminar Participants

Participants included Montenegrin judges, prosecutors and criminal investigators engaged in anti-corruption operations, as well as a broad range of international institutions including OSCE, UNDP and various bilateral donors such as the United States and Norway.

3. Seminar Activities

During the course of the seminar, a representative of UNODC, Erik Larson, gave a detailed briefing on UNCAC, in particular Chapter 5 of the UNCAC and the provisions of Articles 51 -59, as well as a detailed analysis of Montenegrin law and how it relates to the asset recovery provisions under UNCAC. In addition, the UNODC representative led a discussion on the work an scope of the UNODC-World Bank StAR (Stolen Asset Recovery) Initiative and how it could potentially support anti-corruption efforts in Montenegro, as well as a detailed discussion of the work of the Conference of States Parties to the UNCAC Working Group on Asset Recovery and the asset recovery portions of the 2009-2011 Regional Programme for South Eastern Europe, with a particular focus on the upcoming 2 - 4 December UNODC Regional Asset Recovery Workshop to be held at the RPOSEE in Sofia. A short briefing on the work of CARIN and how it could be coordinated with regional anti-corruption asset recovery efforts was also provided by UNODC.

4. Seminar Follow-Up Actions/Recommendations

Upon conclusion of the seminar, a meeting was held with Mr. Milos Boskovic of the OSCE office in Montenegro regarding the possibility of designing and teaching a two-day seminar on the investigation of corruption offenses for Montenegrin judges and prosecutors, an event that would be organized jointly by OSCE, UNDP-Montenegro, and UNODC. In addition, a written summary of the PowerPoint presentation given at the workshop was to be prepared for inclusion in Volume 1 of DACI's series of anti-corruption publications to be entitled "Support to the Implementation of International Anti-Corruption Standards and Instruments in Montenegro".

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Regional Seminar on Detection and Repression of Illicit Enrichment in Sofia, Bulgaria

18 - 19 October 2009

1. Seminar Objective

UNODC participated in the Regional Seminar on Detection and Repression of Illicit Enrichment organized by the Institut Francais and the French Embassies in Bulgaria, Moldova, Romania, and Serbia in Sofia, Bulgaria from 18 - 19 October 2009. The purpose of the seminar was to enhance the knowledge of judicial and law enforcement officials in the region regarding the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and the requirements of UNCAC Article 20 on Illicit Enrichment. The fight against corruption in South Eastern European has become a key priority of countries in the region as they desire to participate in wider European integration. As an integral part of anti-corruption strategies in the region, some progress has been made in harmonizing anti-corruption legal frameworks with European and international standards. Within this framework, the countries of the region have adopted the 2003 UNCAC. By signing up to UNCAC, these governments have agreed to incorporate this international tool in to their legal framework, which aims to prevent corruption in the private and public sector.

2. Seminar Participants

Participants at the seminar included judges, prosecutors and criminal investigators from Bulgaria, France, Moldova, Romania and Serbia, as well as representatives of the French Embassies in each of these respective countries and the Institut Francais.

3. Seminar Activities

During the conference a representative from the Regional Programme Office for South Eastern Europe, Erik Larson, made a presentation at a French regional seminar on the detection and repression of illicit enrichment and the UNODC Regional Programme for South Eastern Europe. In the first presentation, he presented an overview of UNCAC and the requirements of UNCAC Article 20 on Illicit Enrichment. Following these presentations, the requirements of UNCAC Article 20 were discussed in detail, along with how these states could take steps to better align their legal frameworks with UNCAC.

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The Response of the Justice System to children in conflict with the law: United Nations standards and European experiences in juvenile justice, Sofia, Bulgaria.

2- 3 October 2009

The workshop, aimed at sharing best practices and experiences in juvenile justice among EU Member States, was jointly organized by the Regional Programme Office for South Eastern Europe of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), UNICEF and the Bulgarian Judges Association. The seminar was attended by UNODC and UNICEF experts as well as by judges from Bulgaria, Romania, France, Italy and from the Netherlands . MORE

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Workshop to Develop Guidelines on International Legal Cooperation Instruments in the Area of Anti-Human Trafficking and Smuggling of Migrants, Budva , Montenegro

30 September-2 October 2009

 

The United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Regional Programme Office for South East Europe (RPOSEE) carried out the first Workshop to Develop Guidelines on International Legal Cooperation Instruments in the Area of Anti-Human Trafficking and Smuggling of Migrants in Budva, Montenegro from September 30 to 2 October.

The workshop is being organized within the German funded extension of the "Enhancing operational capacity to investigate and disrupt human trafficking activities in the Western Balkans".

The workshop was opened by Mr. Alexander Avanesov, UN Resident Coordinator and the UNDP Resident Representative to Montenegro, Ms. Sonja Perisic from the Office of National Anti-Human Trafficking Coordinator of Montenegro, and Ms. Ela Banaj, UNODC Programme Coordinator.

During the previous UNODC project workshop held in Albania, in February 2009, a new set of recommendations was produced with the aim of strengthening regional law enforcement and judicial cooperation in the area of anti-human trafficking (AHT) and smuggling of migrants (SOM), in particular through the enhanced use of international legal cooperation instruments (mutual legal assistance, extradition, etc.). In order to achieve this objective, the UNODC technical assistance was welcomed by all the participants in the workshop.

Therefore, the aim of the Budva workshop was to initiate the consultative and inclusive process of developing guidelines on international legal cooperation instruments in the area of anti-human trafficking and smuggling of migrants.

The Guidelines will cover both legal and law enforcement aspects of regional cooperation instruments. Therefore, the workshop entailed the participation of judges, prosecutors and police officers who regularly deal with cases of human trafficking and smuggling of migrants. In addition, National Anti-Human Trafficking Coordinators from each of Western Balkan countries/territories were invited to participate.

In order to facilitate the consultative process for the development of the guidelines, two working groups were conducted with the aim of discussing issues and problems in the area of international/regional criminal justice cooperation and sharing ideas and suggestions on how to enhance such cooperation in the region.

The discussions clearly indicated that there are three particular legal aspects that are to be addressed if the international cooperation in the area of AHT and SOM in SEE is to be enhanced. These are: legal framework used for the implementation of the international cooperation; (in)admissibility of evidence in different jurisdictions; joint investigation teams.
From a law enforcement perspective, identified issues concern both formal and informal cooperation. Formal mechanisms are generally working well, though they can be hampered by bureaucratic delays. On the other hand, among law enforcement agencies in the region a good network of informal exchange of information and intelligence has developed. It is based on operational focal points and other personal contacts. Nonetheless, issues and problems which can hamper regional investigations were also identified.
Furthermore, it was highlighted the important role of relevant international/regional organizations in facilitating formal and informal exchange of information and criminal intelligence.
The representatives of other relevant international organizations, such as the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), International Organization for Migration (IOM), the Southeast European Cooperative Initiative Regional Centre for combating trans-border crime (SECI Centre), the South East Europe Police Chiefs Association (SEPCA) and Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) also took part in the discussion.

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First Steering Committee Meeting in Vienna, Austria

30 September 2009

The Steering Committee was established as a consultative and reporting body for the Regional Programme in agreement with the countries of the Republic of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, and the Republic of Serbia. Each country was responsible for nominating its representative to the Steering Committee, with UNODC providing secretarial functions. The meeting was also attended by the representatives of UNMIK/EULEX and the Regional Cooperation Council2 that have appointed their representatives as well.

The objective of the first Meeting was to permit its members and UNODC to establish contact with one another, as well as for the Steering Committee members to adopt its terms of reference (ToR) and formulate the work plan for future activity. Furthermore, the meeting allowed Steering Committee members to provide initial feedback and comments on the development and structure of the Regional Programme.

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Regional Coordination and Strategy Session in Sofia, Bulgaria

2 - 4 September 2009

The aim of the session was to coordinate the work of the UNODC field offices involved in the implementation of the Regional Programme with the work of the UNODC Headquarters in order to ensure coherence in the work of UNODC in the region and cooperation with other partners. Furthermore, the session aimed to provide the participants with a clear picture of the objectives, organization and the further development of the Programme, as well as to share experiences, information and to launch the Regional Programme. The session was also aimed at bringing together UNODC experts from various countries of the region and brainstorm with them on the best practices and lessons learnt from their daily work in the field.

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Summer School Risk Groups and Social Support Services, Bucharest, Romania,

21-26 July 2009

Bucharest, 21 July 2009; official opening (from left to right): Mr. Doru Buzducea,Vice-Dean Professor, Faculty of Sociology and Social Work, Mr. Marian Preda, Dean Professor Faculty of Sociology and Social Work and Mrs. Carla Ciavarella, UNODC RPOSEE; © UNODC RomaniaBUCHAREST, 21 July 2009 - The Faculty of Sociology and Social Work, University of Bucharest, in partnership with the Romanian Harm Reduction Network, with technical and financial assistance from UNODC, launched the first edition of the Summer School "Risk Groups and Social Support Services". The summer school took place in the period 21-26 July 2009 and targeted young students aiming to increase their knowledge and skills in the field of medical and social services for vulnerable groups such as: drug users, sex workers, inmates, street children etc. The summer school was not only an opportunity for sharing information and knowledge on evidence-based approaches, but also for observing direct service delivery, for instance HIV prevention and care (outreach and drop-in), drug treatment, HIV counseling and testing etc. Many of these services were developed and implemented in Romania with technical and financial assistance from UNODC. This initiative is part of a larger Project called "HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care among Injecting Drug Users and in Prison Settings in Romania" (2006-2010).

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International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Sofia, Bulgaria

26 June 2009

On the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the 26th of June, the Regional Programme Office of South Eastern Europe in Sofia has organized a closing event of the international campaign "Do drugs control your life? Your life. Your community. No place for drugs".

The event took place in the 12th High School in Sofia, where students, UNODC staff, the Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Bulgaria, representatives from the Ministry of Education as well as other relevant authorities and journalists had the opportunity to meet, talk about drugs and participate in a number of different activities.

On the opening press conference Ms. Carla Ciavarella, UNODC Regional Programme Coordinator for SEE, had the opportunity to share the results of all activities organized by UNODC in Bulgaria in the framework of the international campaign and, following the publication of the 2009 World Drug Report, she outlined some key features of UNODC policy related to drug addiction and drug treatment, with a particular focus on prevention.

The 2009 campaign in Bulgaria has been carried out through a number of raising awareness and information activities. First of all, a raising awareness campaign with street posters and on-line banners with UNODC logo (see pictures attached) has been promoted. Besides, approximately 200 students had the opportunity to voice their opinion on drugs at meetings with representatives of UNODC, doctors and psychiatrists from the National Center for Drug Addictions and journalists taking the role of campaign ambassadors. An on-line nationwide survey "What's your word about drugs?" was addressed to students and parents: questions were related to drug distribution amongst teenagers, sources of information on the different types of drugs, their use and effects they cause. 1300 students and parents took part in the survey.

The results of the on-line survey, presented during the press conference, outlined interesting tendencies and discrepancies related to the perception that parents and children have in relation to drugs prevalence and effects. Just to mention the most telling ones: 73 % of the parents are sure that their kids have never tried drugs but only 27% of the teenagers confirm it. 19% state that their parents have no idea about this. 42% of the students have tried marijuana and 31% of those believe that this is the most harmless drug. Unlike them the parents believe that only 26% of the teenagers smoke marijuana. 17.5 % from the students state that they have a contact with drugs at school, while only 0.6% of the parents share the same opinion. 80 % of the parents state, that they do not know how much the different type of drugs cost and what is the way to buy such.

Following the press conference, approximately 70 students participated in a basketball tournament organized in the school yard and others completed the survey by queuing to voice their opinion in the voting polls. Ms. Carla Ciavarella , addressing students and participants at the presence of the Minister of Education, had the opportunity to read the message of the United Nations General Secterary - Ban Ki-Moon, on the occasion on the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

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International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Belgrade, Serbia

26 June 2009

This year, the International Day against Drugs Abuse and Illicit Trafficking was marked in Serbia under the UNODC slogan "Do Drugs Control your Life?" with the participation of UNODC and in partnership with a number of relevant national institutions: Ministry of Health, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Institute for Addictions, Institute for Public Health "Batut", Belgrade Public Health Council, the Red Cross, Ministries of Interior, Defence, Education, Culture, Labour and Social Policy as well as UNICEF and WHO.

Health Minister, Mr. Tomica Milosavljevic, gave an opening statement at the Press Conference held at the Institute for Public Health "Batut" by presenting the Anti-Drug Strategy and related Action Plan for period 2009-2013.

National institutions convened at a conference of experts to present their latest work in the fight against drug abuse in Serbia, with the aim of exchanging information in the field of drug abuse. The ESPAD study was presented as well as anti-doping report by Ministry of Youth. Ministry of Interior gave their account of efforts in supply reduction and fight against drug trafficking.

An outreach event was also held on 29 June at the Vracar Municipality, which included distribution of brochures and leaflets, T-shirts and caps, with messages conveyed from Ministry of Interior and head of Insitute for Addiction, which was followed by interactive discussions with the youth.

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UNODC and Regional Cooperation Council to promote security and justice in South East Europe

21 May 2009

Cooperation between the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) was enhanced today with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to build security and the rule of law in South East Europe. A joint priority will be to address the challenges posed by illicit drugs and organized crime in the region.

The Memorandum of Understanding is the basis for technical assistance to strengthen national administrative and institutional capacities, develop legislation and policies, and implement United Nations and European Union standards and principles. The sharing of knowledge and best practices will also be facilitated.

The understanding aims to strengthen national criminal justice systems and the protection of human rights, while promoting the independence and integrity of institutions by tackling corruption. Efforts will be made to address money-laundering and the financing of terrorism, as well as asset recovery. Support will be given to the prevention and treatment of drug-related problems, including the spread of HIV/AIDS.

Signing the Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of Antonio Maria Costa, Executive Director of UNODC, Franz Baumann, Acting Deputy Executive Director of UNODC, said : "This will pave the way for closer integration of South East Europe with the rest of the continent".

"With this Memorandum of Understanding both organizations can hope to contribute to strengthening the democratic process, rule of law and human security in South East Europe", said Hido Biščević, Secretary General of the RCC.

Launched in February 2008, the RCC is the successor to the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe. Joint activities, such as regional and national projects; training; assessment and research; and awareness campaigns, will be conducted in the countries covered by the Memorandum of Understanding.

A UNODC report published in May 2008 entitled Crime and Its Impact on the Balkans concluded that that South East Europe has become a low-crime region after the conflict and violence of the 1990s. Nevertheless, the region remains vulnerable due to enduring links between business, politics and organized crime.

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Exchange of experience and cooperation between the Albanian and Bulgarian customs officers and border police officers during a visit/training on Kapitan Andreevo under project for Strengthening border control capacities in Albania

13-15 April 2009


The efficient struggle against drug and human trafficking requires extensive exchange of experience and information on a national and regional level as well as good cooperation and collaboration between the Customs and Border Police Officers especially in the Balkans which is a drugs transit road.

The visit of the Albanian delegation to Kapitan Andreevo took place in the period 13-15 April 2009. Meetings with the Chief of Checkpoint Kapitan Andreevo - Mr. Marin Ivanov, the Director of Customs - Mr. Nikolay Karaivanov, and the Director of the Anti-Drug Unit in Kapitan Andreevo - Mr. Stanislav Taushanov were held.

All Bulgarian counterparties were very helpful and cooperative sharing lots of theoretical and practical information and sharing their long years of experience. A short tour of Kpaitan Andreevo checkpoint was organized; a presentation containing general information for the checkpoint and important data was made; the structure and subordination system of the Customs and Border Police was explained; information on all computer systems used by the Bulgarian customs and border police officers was provided along with many practical examples, pictures and video clips.

The meetings were very useful to all participants and ended with the promise for ongoing cooperation and joint actions against drug and human trafficking.

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Promoting the rule of law and human security in South Eastern Europe, Regional High Level Conference, Belgrade

30- 31 March 2009

Photo: FoNet

Representatives from the countries of Southeast Europe on March 30 in Belgrade signed a joint statement on cooperation in the fight against organized crime, primarily in the prevention of drug and people smuggling, the financing of terrorism and money laundering.

The statement, adopted at the "Promotion of Justice and Security in South East Europe" regional ministerial conference, says that the region's countries had decided to cooperate in the fight against crime. "The countries emphasize that the implementation of the internationally recognized norms and values of the U.N., as well as EU integration, require the respect of democracy and the principle of the rule of law for all citizens and the region as a whole," reads the joint statement, which was presented by Antonio Maria Costa, the executive director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

Photo: FoNet

The joint statement was signed in the Palace of Serbia by representatives of Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia, as well as UNODC director Antonio Maria Costa.

The conference was organized by the Interior Ministry and UNODC, and the participants will primarily work toward improving the fight against drug smuggling.

Antonio Maria Costa said that the Balkans were a transit route for drugs and specified that between 80 and 100 tons of heroin passed through the Balkans every year and that the transit of cocaine was also on the rise. He emphasized that a 2008 report on crime and the effects of crime in the Balkans stated that Southeast Europe had become one of the most secure regions in Europe.

Photo: FoNet

"The number of criminal acts against people and property, such as murder, robbery, rape and assaults, is lower than in Western Europe. The murder rate is lower than the European average and continues to drop," said Costa, adding that corruption was the biggest problem in the region.

Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic and Interior Minister Ivica Dacic said at the conference's opening that Serbia, in addition to the financial crisis, would continue to fight corruption and organized crime, which were obstacles in the European integration process. Cvetkovic and Dacic emphasized the importance of cooperation between Balkan countries because criminals did not recognize borders, and that interstate cooperation in stamping out crime was an imperative condition to improve the fight against crime.

Photo: FoNet

Dacic stressed it is necessary to highlight the importance of long and systematically drafted programmes for cooperation in the fight against crime and corruption, such as the Regional Programme, drafted by the UN Office for Drugs and Crime.

He said that efficient cooperation between states in the region concerning crime fighting is absolutely essential for making progress, adding that cooperation in fighting organised crime and drug trafficking and judicial capacity building are areas where it is necessary to make decisive progress.

Dacic said that successful crime fighting requires large investments in sophisticated technology and human resources development. He said that the global financial crisis is making the fight against crime more difficult because the crime rate grows in crisis situations.

Photo: FoNet

Co-Chair of the conference Director General of the UN Vienna office and Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Antonio Maria Costa said that Southeastern Europe is one of the safest regions in Europe where the biggest problem is corruption.

He said that the incidence of crimes such as murder, robbery, rape and assault is lower in Southeastern Europe than in Western Europe. He recalled that according to the UNODC 2008 report Southeastern Europe is one of the safest regions of Europe, stressing that corruption in countries of Southeastern Europe is the biggest problem and should be dealt with firmly and thoroughly.

Photo: FoNet

Relations between businesses, politics and crime could severely damage democracy and the rule of law in the region, said Costa, adding that people living in Southeastern Europe deal with corruption much more than the rest of the world.

He said that apart from corruption, organised crime and drug trafficking are very profitable activities, adding that the Balkans are still a transit area for illegal drug trade between Afghanistan and Western Europe.

According to him, the entire region deals with cigarette, weapon and human trafficking and therefore all the countries must consistently implement adequate laws and legal instruments, such as the UN Convention against Corruption and other conventions concerning the fight against organised crime.

It is also necessary to develop health improvement programmes and raise people's consciousness when it comes to drug and AIDS, said Costa, pointing out that the entire region can count on the support of the European Commission, OSCE, UNODC and the Regional Council for Cooperation.

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UNODC launches Blue Heart campaign against human trafficking

5 March  2009

Today at the Women's World Awards in Vienna, the Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Antonio Maria Costa, launched the Blue Heart Campaign against human trafficking.

"There is a lot of ignorance about modern slavery. There is also a lot of good will to fight it", said Mr. Costa. "The blue heart will raise awareness about a crime that shames us all. It shows solidarity with the victims" he said.

The Blue Heart represents the sadness of trafficking victims, the cold-heartedness of the perpetrators and the commitment of the United Nations to fight this crime.

To take advantage of social networking, the campaign is encouraging members of the public to change their Facebook profile picture to a blue heart, upload the Blue Heart to their web page, spread the word through Twitter and watch video about human trafficking on YouTube.

Mr. Costa called on participants of the Women's World Awards, held in Vienna on 5 March, to join the campaign "to free our sisters and brothers from exploitation". At the Women's World Congress, which took place in Vienna on 4 March, he described human trafficking as "the worst kind of violence against women, made even more repulsive by the fact that people make money from it".
While poverty makes people vulnerable to human trafficking, gender discrimination and sexism are also to blame. "Whether it's burkas or bikinis, the humiliation of women as property or sex objects is an affront to human dignity. It creates a market for women and girls who are traded like commodities", said the head of UNODC. Recalling the United Nations Secretary-General's campaign "Unite to end violence against women", and looking ahead to International Women's Day on 8 March, Mr. Costa called on people all over the world to join the Blue Heart Campaign against human trafficking "in order to end enslavement, and achieve women's equality".

UNODC's Global Report on Trafficking in Persons ( http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/human-trafficking/global-report-on-trafficking-in-persons.html) offers the first global assessment of the scope of human trafficking and what is being done to fight it.

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Fourth Meeting of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Project: "Enhancing Operational Capacity to Investigate and Disrupt Human Trafficking Activities in the Western Balkans".

23 - 25 February 2009

The UNODC Regional Programme Office for South East Europe (RPOSEE) organized the fourth meeting of the Project: "Enhancing Operational Capacity to Investigate and Disrupt Human Trafficking Activities in the Western Balkans", which was held in Tirana, Albania from 23 to 25 February 2009.
This meeting followed other regional meetings that were held in Belgrade, Serbia on 15 November 2007, Ohrid, FYR of Macedonia on 6 and 7 May 2008, and Stubičke Toplice, Croatia on 17 and 18 November 2008.

The project is funded by the Governments of Germany and the United Kingdom.

The meeting was opened by Ms. Carla Ciavarella, UNODC Regional Programme Coordinator for South Eastern Europe, with the presence of Ms. Iva Zajmi, Deputy Minister of Interior and Anti-Human Trafficking National Coordinator of the Government of Albania, Ms. Sheila Bramley, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of the United Kingdom in Albania, Mr. Rainer Harms, Liaison Officer, representing the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Albania.

The aim of the meeting, along with the overall objective of the project, was to strengthen the law enforcement cooperation of Western Balkan countries in the fight against human trafficking and smuggling of migrants.
The meeting aimed also at discussing the recommendations made at the previous meeting in Croatia and the draft Phase II of the Project with a view to finalising the Phase II Project Idea and subsequently seeking the formal backing of the proposed Project Beneficiary Countries.

Representatives of both the law enforcement and judiciary (prosecutors and judges) from each country/entity in South East Europe participating in the project attended the meeting.

The meeting also entailed the participation of representatives of third countries' national institutions (Ministries of Interior of Norway and Romania), and representatives of relevant International Organizations, such as the Migration, Asylum, Refugees Regional Initiative (MARRI), the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the Police Assistance Mission of the European Community to Albania (PAMECA), the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), the Southeast European Cooperative Initiative Regional Center for combating trans-border crime (SECI Center), the South Eastern Europe Prosecutors Advisory Group (SEEPAG), the South East Europe Police Chiefs Association (SEPCA) etc.

UNODC staff highlighted the work of the Organization in the area of anti-human trafficking and smuggling of migrants, and the tools developed by UNODC in strengthening international and regional cooperation, such as the mutual legal assistance and extradition requests writer tools. The meeting was also an occasion to present the "UNODC Global Report on Trafficking in Persons" which was launched on 12 February in New York. The study was conducted within the framework of the United Nations Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking (UN.GIFT). Based on data gathered from 155 countries, the report offers the first global assessment of the scope of human trafficking and what is being done to fight it. It includes: an overview of trafficking patterns; legal steps taken in response; and country-specific information on reported cases of trafficking in persons, victims, and prosecutions.


At the end of the meeting, a new set of recommendations was produced with the aim of strengthening law enforcement and judicial cooperation in the region, in particular through the enhanced use of mutual legal assistance instruments.

As the custodian of the Convention on Transnational Organized Crime and its protocols, UNODC's primary goal is to promote global adherence to such legal instruments and to assist States in their efforts to effectively implement them. In particular, UNODC focuses its work on assisting States in bringing their domestic legislation in line with the Protocols and in developing effective criminal justice responses to human trafficking and smuggling of migrants.

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Inter-Regional Conference on "Anti-Corruption Policies and Practices in South Eastern Europe" took place at Boyana Conference Center, Sofia.

9 December 2008

The conference has been dedicated to the International day against corruption.

The international forum was under the Patronage of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Regional Programme Office for South Eastern Europe (UNODC RPOSEE), based in Sofia is organizing the conference. Partners and co-organizers are the Regional Cooperation Council, the Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative, and the Bulgarian Center for the Study of Democracy.

Members of parliament, representatives of the government and NGOs, diplomatic bodies and representatives of international organizations took part in the conference. The event was arranged with the intention to share the results achieved so far in the area of anti-corruption measures taken by the relevant institutions of South Eastern Europe in order to prevent, investigate and prosecute corruption acts, to promote inter-regional cooperation, to ensure technical assistance and information exchange among these countries, where the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, which entered into force on 14 of Dec 2005, has been signed and ratified by all countries of this region.

The agenda provided an itinerary able to make a mapping exercise through the experiences that all relevant institutions have made in the area of anti-corruption measures. In particular, discussion about policies and infrastructure established during these years as matter of implementation of principles stipulated by the convention, discussion on the regional cooperation as an important tool in the fight against corruption.
From the forum during the day, several summary conclusions are considered:
- All countries in the region have developed and introduced a consistent legislative frame work able (in principles) to be used as effective tool for countering corruption acts.
- All countries have established several different Commissions and/or bodies at different level and in different institutions (either with MoI or with MoF or under the supervision of their respective government ) in order to " ensure " a coordinative "independent" function in preventing, investigating, prosecuting and sentencing corruption crimes. Most of them have drafted and approved a National anti corruption strategy.
- Despite all concrete actions taken, still there are not significant results in prosecuting and sentencing crimes related to corruption acts.
- During the very accurate presentations proposed by RAI National Focal Points it has been pointed and described with a lot of details, all significant work done during the last years in order to be in compliance with EU accession requirements .
- There is in general a good level of knowledge on anti corruptions matters all over the region, but not satisfactory result in concrete.

"We would like to show the problems in a constructive manner and to outline ways for solving them", said Ms Ciavarella, Regional Programme Coordinator of UNODC RPOSEE. "I think that more and more people in South Eastern Europe feel the corruption as a sophisticated economic, social and political phenomenon, which concerns all parties, compromise the democratic institutions, slows down the economic development and causes political instability."

UNODC RPOSEE objective was to draw the public attention and vigilance to the problem CORRUPTION in all its forms. Media partners in the initiative of UNODC RPOSEE are the Bulgarian National Television and BTV broadcasting free of charge promotional video "Decision"against corruption.

On the conference were invited almost all media representatives in Bulgaria, most of them came at Boyana Center and many publications appeared afterwards as on the newspapers, on-line medias, radios and TV news.

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