Issue 98 | August 3, 2017
A quick and easy update of the latest UNODC and international drugs and crime news. Can't read this newsletter? View it online
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UNODC News
'Act now' to help and protect trafficking victims, UN urges on World Day against the scourge
Criminal groups feed off the instability created by conflicts, and as links between wars, trafficking and migrant smuggling become more widely known, the United Nations is calling on the international community to act now to help and protect trafficking victims and to end this crime forever. "Conflict is a breeding ground for criminal activity," said Yury Fedotov, UNODC Executive Director. [Read more]
#AquiEstoy: campaign against human trafficking launched in Mexico
As part of the activities to commemorate the World Day against Trafficking in Persons, the Government of Mexico and UNODC launched the campaign Blue Heart Mexico: #AquiEstoy contra la trata de personas (#HereIAm against trafficking in persons, in English), on 31 July, in Mexico City. #AquiEstoy shows people's outrage against human trafficking and it encourages the public to think about their responsibility as consumers of goods and services. [Read more]
New UNODC report: Coca crops in Colombia increase over 50 per cent in one year
The latest Colombia Cultivation Survey, produced by SIMCI Project of UNODC, recently released, showing an increase of 52 per cent in coca cultivation area - from 96,000 hectares in 2015 to 146,000 ha in 2016. According to the same report, the highest growth was seen in Colombian departments located in borders, particularly Nariño, Putumayo and Norte de Santander, the same territories with the biggest coca crop area according to the 2015 survey. [Read more]
UNODC Monitoring Survey reports 14 per cent increase of coca bush cultivation in Bolivia during 2016
In 2016, coca bush cultivation increased 14 per cent in Bolivia compared to the previous year, according to the latest Coca Crop Monitoring Survey launched in recent weeks in La Paz by UNODC and the Bolivian Government. In this period, the surface under cultivation increased from 20,200 hectares (ha) to 23,100 ha, following five years of continuous reduction (2011-2015). [Read more]
On Nelson Mandela International Day, UNODC highlights the plight of prisoners and the continued need for prison reform
Since 2010, the United Nations has celebrated 18 July as Nelson Mandela International Day to recognize the birthday of South Africa's former President and his outstanding contribution to a culture of peace and freedom. For UNODC, Mandela's Day is also a time to draw attention to the more than 10 million prisoners worldwide as well as to the work of those entrusted with their safe, secure and humane custody.
[Read more]
Following series of key achievements, Global Programme for the implementation of the Doha Declaration enters next stage
In July, the Global Programme for the Implementation of the Doha Declaration entered its next phase following receipt of the second instalment of funding from the State of Qatar. The funds - $13.3 million - are part of a four-year, $49.1 million contribution to UNODC's Global Programme which was launched following the 13th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice held in Qatar in 2015. [Read more]
Container Control Programme Member States sign protocol, affirm readiness for cooperation to tackle drug trafficking and other illicit activities
The Container Control Programme (CCP), developed jointly by UNODC and the World Customs Organization (WCO), aims to minimize the misuse of containers in the transnational shipment of illicit goods by enhancing law enforcement capabilities of seaports and other similar facilities. [Read more]
Pakistan joins UNODC global initiative against human trafficking and migrant smuggling
GLO.ACT, a four-year joint initiative by the European Union (EU) and UNODC, was recently launched in Islamabad, Pakistan. In addition to the project, a public awareness campaign on the topic was launched, co-funded by Australian Government Department of Immigration and Border Protection and the United States Department of State. [Read more]
UNODC organizes inter-regional training course on tackling abuse of money and value transfer services
UNODC's Education for Justice (E4J) initiative is currently accepting applications for funding from institutions that are interested in creating non-electronic games to educate secondary level students (aged 13-18) on the issues of crime prevention, criminal justice and other rule of law aspects. Civil society organizations, academic and/or research institutions may apply for a grant of up to USD 10,000. [Read more]
E4J call for proposals: funding for the development of non-electronic games
UNODC briefed 40 Member States in Vienna in recent weeks on its support for global policy efforts in the areas of human trafficking and migrant smuggling. Opening the meeting, John Brandolino, UNODC Director of the Division for Treaty Affairs, spoke about the Office's involvement in several broader UN efforts. [Read more]
UNODC continues to combat gender-based violence, meets SADC to strengthen cooperation on criminal justice
Gender-based violence is a global problem that robs victims of their dignity, security, health and autonomy, and it is a violation of fundamental human rights. According to the recent statistics, one in every five young girls is sexually abused as a child while 33 per cent of women has been beaten, coerced into sex or abused - most often by someone they know. [Read more]
#Hack4Justice: Africa Teen Geeks & United Nations partner to reduce crime
Under the Education for Justice (E4J) initiative of UNODC, the Office and Africa Teen Geeks have established a partnership to host a Hackathon at the end of July: #Hack4Justice. E4J - part of the Doha Declaration Global Programme - works to raise awareness and to educate the public at primary, secondary and university levels about core UNODC-mandated areas: crime prevention, criminal justice and the rule of law. [Read more]
Southern Africa: UNODC launches network to combat human trafficking
UNODC Southern Africa, in partnership with the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) recently launched SADCTIPNet (Southern Africa Development Community Trafficking in Persons Network), a new regional network for trafficking in persons in Lobamba, Swaziland. The launch took place at the annual regional trafficking in persons coordination and data collection workshop. [Read more]
UNODC joins United Nations entities to strengthen multi-sectoral response to end gender-based violence against women and girls in Asia-Pacific
Governments, civil society and the United Nations in Asia and the Pacific are strengthening the roll-out and implementation of an essential services package to urgently address and respond to gender-based violence against women and girls. [Read more]
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