Issue 85 | June 03, 2016
A quick and easy update of the latest UNODC and international drugs and crime news. Can't read this newsletter? View it online
here.
UNODC News
To confront the global drug problem we must put people first, UNODC tells World Health Assembly
Globally, some 27 million people suffer from drug use disorders, with almost 200,000 losing their lives each year to overdose and other drug-related causes. Meanwhile, some 13 per cent of those who inject drugs are infected with HIV, compared with less than one per cent among the general population. Against this backdrop, these, and other challenges, were addressed in a statement issued to the Secretariat of the WHO's 69th World Health Assembly.
UNODC presents initiative to address the use of children by violent extremist and terrorist groups
Coinciding with the 25th Session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) that took place in Vienna at the end of May, UNODC, together with the Governments of Canada, Norway, Qatar and Switzerland organized a special event on the challenges faced by a number of countries regarding the recruitment of children by terrorist groups, and to their treatment by the justice system.
Our mission has never been clearer, says UNODC Chief at Crime Commission closing
"Our mission has never been clearer, or better articulated," UNODC Chief Yury Fedotov said at the closing ceremony of the Crime Commission in Vienna. "This is the first Crime Commission to be held after the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The week's activities have strengthened bonds between our efforts in crime prevention and criminal justice and work undertaken to promote sustainable development," he added.
Fisheries crime: bringing to light the perfect storm of illegal activities in the fishing sector
At a discussion on the margins of the Crime Commission taking place at the end of May in Vienna, a panel of experts looked at the best approaches to deal with transnational organized fisheries crime. This crime is an ill-defined legal concept referring to a range of illicit activities in the fisheries sector, including illegal fishing, document fraud, drug trafficking, and money laundering, among others.
Stepping up the global response to trafficking in persons and the smuggling of migrants
Across the world, children, women and men are on the move for different reasons - some are fleeing conflict; others may be escaping serious human rights violations or poverty. Regardless of their specific reasons, too many of these perilous journeys are organized by smugglers. Against this backdrop, a high-level event was held at the Crime Commission on the recently launched GLO.ACT.
Wildlife crime assessed globally for the first time in new UNODC report
At
the end of May UNODC launched its inaugural World Wildlife Crime Report, highlighting how the poaching and illegal trade of thousands of different species across the globe not only present real environmental dangers but ultimately undermine the rule of law by potentially fuelling conflict. The report - part of UNODC's ongoing Global Programme on Wildlife and Forest Crime - also urges shared responsibility in tackling this crime.
At World Humanitarian Summit, UNODC shines spotlight on trafficking in persons in humanitarian situations
The first World Humanitarian Summit (WHS) recently took place in Istanbul, Turkey, bringing the global community together to reaffirm its collective commitment to humanity and its solidarity with people affected by crises. In connection with the WHS, UNODC organized a special event, together with the Government of the United States, to highlight human trafficking in the context of humanitarian situations.
UNODC promotes innovative ways of tackling trafficking in cultural property
A new practical assistance tool to prevent trafficking in cultural property was launched by UNODC during the last Crime Commission. Trafficking in cultural property is used to launder the proceeds of crime, and is an acknowledged source of terrorist financing. Recent events in Syria and Iraq have also shown the extreme vulnerability of historic sites to deliberate destruction that undermines a common heritage.
UNODC-INTERPOL agreement creates partnership to tackle transnational organized crime and terrorism challenges
At a side event held on the margins of the 25th Session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (the Crime Commission), UNODC Executive Director, Yury Fedotov, and INTERPOL Secretary General, Juergen Stock, signed a cooperation arrangement focusing on operations against organized crime and terrorism.
25th Crime Commission opens with call to build resilient institutions in support of 2030 Development Agenda
Opening the 25th Session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (Crime Commission) in Vienna on the 23rd of May, the UNODC Executive Director, Yury Fedotov, said justice and the rule of law can build resilient institutions that support the 2030 Development Agenda, particularly Goal 16. This, and the Doha Declaration, provide a clear roadmap for confronting links between poverty, security, crime and corruption, he said.
Building trust in law is an essential part of our work in Vienna, says UNODC Executive Director
Attending the St. Petersburg International Legal Forum, opened by the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Medvedev, UNODC Executive Director, Yury Fedotov delivered a keynote address on building trust in law to an audience of ministers of justice, chairs of constitutional courts, representatives of state bodies and law schools, partners in law firms, and heads of international organizations.
Burkina Faso adopts law against foreign terrorist fighters
The United Nations estimates that in recent years, over 25,000 youth have left their home countries to join the ranks of various terrorist and armed groups operating in the North Africa and Middle East region. To counter the rising concern around foreign terrorist fighters, the Government of Burkina Faso - with legislative assistance from UNODC - recently adopted an updated counter-terrorism law which features provisions against this threat.
UNODC Chief's Cairo mission helps strengthen cooperation with Egypt to counter drugs, crime, corruption and terrorism
UNODC Executive Director, Yury Fedotov, reinforced the excellent cooperation existing between the organization and Egypt through bi-lateral meetings with high officials during his three-day mission to Cairo in the middle of May. On the first day of the mission, the second Regional Programme for the Arab States (2016-2021) was signed at a high profile event with the Secretary General of the League of Arab States, Dr. Nabil El-Araby.
Secretary-General visits UNODC-built courtroom in Seychelles
During a two-day mission to the Seychelles, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon visited the Supreme Court Annex - an infrastructure project constructed by UNODC under the Office's Global Maritime Crime Programme (GMCP) which aims to carry out maritime piracy trials in the East Africa archipelago.
I am your steadfast ally against corruption, terrorism and crime, UNODC Chief tells Nigerian President
Rounding off a three-day mission to Nigeria, UNODC Executive Director Yury Fedotov met with President Muhammadu Buhari and emphasized his organization's unwavering support for the country. Mr. Fedotov also praised President Buhari's personal commitment against corruption and thanked him for Nigeria's participation in the review mechanism of the landmark UN Convention against Corruption which calls for states to be reviewed by two peers.
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