Issue 89 | September 29, 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
Human trafficking survivor Nadia Murad named UNODC Goodwill Ambassador
Nobel Peace Prize nominee Nadia Murad Basee Taha - who survived trafficking at the hands of ISIL (Da'esh) - was formally appointed UNODC Goodwill Ambassador for the Dignity of Survivors of Human Trafficking. This designation marks the first time a survivor of atrocities is bestowed with this distinction. Ms. Murad, a 23-year-old Yazidi woman, briefed the Security Council in its first-ever session on human trafficking last December. [Read More]
Enhancing the capacity of academia to deliver high-quality anti-corruption education
Ensuring that anti-corruption ideals are built directly into education is one of the surest ways to tackle this crime and build societies where respect for the rule of law is firmly embedded. Around this, and drawing from UNODC's extensive anti-corruption work, the Office kicked off a two-day workshop in Tunisia, held jointly with the Doha-based Rule Of Law and Anti-corruption Center. [Read More]
South Africa joins UNODC global initiative on human trafficking and migrant smuggling
Following up on the spirit of the recent meeting on Large Movements of Migrants and Refugees which took place during the General Assembly in New York, UNODC and the South African Ministry of Home Affairs launched GLO.ACT in the country. South Africa is one of 13 countries selected to participate in this effort, in part due to its importance as a source, transit, and destination country for both trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants. [Read More]
New report details actions to better protect our cultural heritage
There is an urgent need to enhance the protection of cultural heritage targeted by terrorists and illicit traffickers, according to the newly launched report of the global initiative "Protecting Cultural Heritage-An Imperative for Humanity" developed jointly by UNODC, UNESCO, INTERPOL and the Governments of Italy and Jordan in 2015. The report was presented in recent days in parallel to the 71st session of the General Assembly in New York. [Read More]
During UNGA Summit on Refugees and Migrants, UNODC affirms need to face down migrant smugglers
"We cannot allow the biggest refugee crisis since the Second World War to be exploited as a business opportunity," said UNODC Chief Yury Fedotov in his remarks at the opening of the United Nations High-level meeting for Refugees and Migrants at the 71st UN General Assembly. Mr. Fedotov was speaking in the first of two contributions to world leaders and heads of state gathered at the summit. [Read More]
UNODC Report: Transnational organized crime is undermining security and governance in the Pacific
The Pacific is increasingly vulnerable to exploitation by transnational organized crime, law enforcement agencies in the region are largely unable to manage territorial borders, and governments and regional organizations are struggling to address the situation, according to a comprehensive report launched recently by the UNODC. [Read More]
UNODC/ECOWAS jointly launch efforts to support West Africa against drugs and crime
At a special event held on the margins of the 71st General Assembly, the Executive Director of UNODC, Yury Fedotov, said action against drugs and crime was helping to build a safer, healthier, more secure and more prosperous future for West Africa. UNODC Executive Director's speech notes crime's damaging impact, while also outlining plans to overcome challenge and build a brighter future for the region. [Read More]
Spain: UNODC draws attention to organized crime, sustainable development goals at global youth forum
A Global Youth Leadership Forum, co-sponsored by UNODC,was held during the Summer Courses delivered at the Menéndez Pelayo International University in Santander, Spain, from 11 to 17 September. Jean-Luc Lemahieu, the UNODC Director for Policy Analysis and Public Affairs, participated in high-level panel discussions with youth leaders and entrepreneurs, Government officials and academic experts. [Read More]
UNODC and South Eastern Europe countries call for joint work in criminal asset identification
Practitioners from South Eastern Europe and international experts gathered in Budva, Montenegro, at a UNODC-organized Criminal Asset Identification Conference held on 19 and 20 September. Participants at the meeting are sharing and starting the implementation of best practices in identifying assets acquired through criminal enterprise. Identifying these assets is a critical first step in the process to deprive criminals of their ill-gotten assets. [Read More]
Secretary General visits community based drug treatment
centre in Lao, meets drug users and their families
In recent days, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon visited the Lao People's Democratic Republic to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the East Asian summits. During his activities in the country, the Secretary-General also visited a community-based drug treatment centre in Sisattanak District Hospital in Vientiane together with UNODC and Lao PDR officials. [Read More]
Blue Heart Gala in Panama showcases power of music against human trafficking
Panama joined the Blue Heart Campaign against Human Trafficking in 2014. In this regard, the country's Ministry of Public Security, UNODC's Regional Office for Central America and the Caribbean, the Turkish Embassy in Panama and representatives from the private sector organized a Blue Heart Gala Concert as a joint effort to highlight the importance of preventing and addressing this serious crime. [Read More]
With UNODC support, Mexico launches nation-wide programme to tackle migrant smuggling
A far-reaching new initiative to dismantle the criminal networks behind migrant smuggling and to protect migrants from being smuggled, known as SOMMEX ('Smuggling of Migrants - Mexico'), was launched at the Attorney General's Office headquarters in Mexico City. Through this programme, UNODC will assist the Government of Mexico to respond more efficiently to the challenges posed by migrant smuggling into the United States. [Read More]
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