Issue 95 | May 16, 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
UNODC launches initiative on gender dimensions in fight against terrorism
The international community is increasingly recognizing the importance of integrating a gender perspective into the global fight against terrorism. While women and girls continue to be victims of crimes committed by terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and ISIL (Da'esh), recent reports have shown the growing involvement of women in terrorist offences. [Read more]
Latin America meeting marks first move towards establishing UNODC-supported global brand of prison products
Developing a global brand of prison products moved a step closer to being realized with the bringing together of key prison administrators from across Latin America. Part of UNODC's Doha Declaration Global Programme, the event was organized to explore new and innovative approaches within the Latin American region which are being used to mitigate the social, economic and personal challenges faced by prisoners. [Read more]
Mekong ministers and UNODC announce new action plan to address regional drug challenges
Ministers and officials from Mekong countries and UNODC have come together to endorse a new strategy to address regional drug challenges. The Mekong region has a persistent and evolving drug problem: production and trafficking of methamphetamine and heroin within and from the region are now estimated to generate over US $40 billion annually. [Read more]
UNODC launches training to tackle cryptocurrency-enabled Organized Crime
Cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, are being increasingly used to move criminal proceeds. In response to this phenomenon, UNODC has developed a world-leading Cryptocurrency Investigation Train-the-Trainers course and delivered, in recent weeks, the first courses on cryptocurrency investigation. [Read more]
Belgian Deputy Prime Minister meets UNODC, UNICEF and UNFPA representatives in Senegal, focuses on trafficking in women and girls
West Africa continues to be affected by a large number of security threats such as human trafficking, targeting millions of women and young girls, the most vulnerable segment of the society. As the authorities tend to consider the victims as perpetrators rather than victims of exploitation, the sexual and reproductive health remains critical to address that phenomenon. [Read more]
Efforts to improve law enforcement and response to crime in MENA region supported by UNODC
The excessive use of force by law enforcement officials at the global level remains a topic of concern, particularly with regards to the application of the UN standards and norms on the conduct of law enforcement officials. To address this issue, UNODC and OHCHR have been working together to develop a resource book on the use of force and firearms for law and policy makers in charge of designing law enforcement regulations and training curricula. [Read more]
Thailand and UNODC gather ASEAN officials to discuss solutions to growing transnational crime problems
Enforcement, justice, economic and diplomatic leaders from Southeast Asia have gathered at the UN in Bangkok to discuss regional integration and crime challenges, as well as improvements to border management to help secure the region. Arranged by the Government of Thailand and UNODC, the conference will consider and recommend ways to ensure ASEAN community security as the region evolves and becomes more interconnected and integrated. [Read more]
Victims of gender-based violence may be more comfortable talking to female officers, UNODC expert says
While gender-based violence (GBV) continues to be a widespread problem in Kyrgyzstan, the level of reporting remains low, according to the Kyrgyz National Statistics Committee. Data also confirmed that 14,467 people turned to crisis centers and other institutions providing social and psychological assistance in 2015, a 26 per cent increase from 2010. [Read more]
Pakistan: efforts to counter terrorism boosted with new partnership between UNODC, EU and country Government
The Government of Pakistan, the European Union (EU) and UNODC launched, in recent days, a three-year technical assistance programme to support Pakistan's efforts in overcoming the challenges posed by terrorism. [Read more]
Brazil joins UNODC global initiative against human trafficking and migrant smuggling
GLO.ACT - The Global Action to Prevent and Address Trafficking in Persons and the Smuggling of Migrants was launched recently at the UN house in Brasília. This Action is a four-year joint initiative of the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) implemented in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). [Read more]
Synthetic cannabinoids such as Spice must be taken out of circulation, says UNODC's head of laboratory
Recent news reports show the disturbing impact of synthetic cannabinoids-sometimes called Spice-on drug users. To provide greater insight, Justice Tettey, the head of the Laboratory and Scientific Section at the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), talked about the problem. [Read more]
Education for Justice: Countering cybercrime, creating prosperity
Law enforcement cannot end cybercrime through arrests and prosecutions. Prevention is truly the key. The Education for Justice (E4J) initiative provides a unique opportunity to address a significant threat in a different way: by educating children and young adults to become conscious of cyber-risk and ultimately to make better decisions. [Read more]
Identification, investigation of human trafficking in Greece boosted with UNODC's help
In partnership with Greece's National Rapporteur on Trafficking in Human Beings, UNODC held in recent days two national anti-trafficking in persons workshops - in Athens and Thessaloniki - aimed at strengthening coordination of the different actors involved in the identification and investigation of human trafficking cases in the country. [Read more]
Celebrating sport as a powerful tool for at-risk youth development
The International Day of Sport for Development and Peace recognizes the power of sport to drive social development and promote tolerance, respect and social inclusion. A recently launched initiative under UNODC Doha Declaration Global Programme makes the link between sport, life-skills development and crime prevention. Through building positive values, the organization uses sport as a vehicle for transferring life-skills to at-risk youth. [Read more]
Recent attacks show pirates off Somalia's coast still a potent threat
Noting that recent attacks on commercial ships off the coast of Somalia highlight the continued threat of piracy, UNODC has urged ships to follow the advice of navies and that of the International Maritime Organization while planning passage through the region. "After three attacks, following a lull of five years, it is clear that Somali pirates are resurgent and intent on continuing attacks on commercial shipping," said UNODC Chief, Yury Fedotov. [Read more]
AIRCOP: Global experts meet in Brazil to discuss drugs, other illicit trafficking in airports
Experts from around the world met recently in Sao Paulo, Brazil, for three days of discussions, aiming to enhance the capacity of international airports in the detection and interdiction of drug trafficking and other illicit activities. The 5th Global Meeting of the Airport Communication Project (AIRCOP), which covers 37 airports in 33 countries, was organized by UNODC with the support of the Federal Police of Brazil. [Read more]
#DeadlyBusiness: UNODC campaign against migrant smuggling launched in Washington DC
#DeadlyBusiness, a UNODC campaign to prevent and combat migrant smuggling, was adopted by the 11 Member States of the Regional Conference on Migration (RCM) as an initiative to raise awareness about the crime. The event, promoted by UNODC, the Technical Secretariat of the RCM and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico, took place in the Mexican Cultural Institute of Washington D.C. [Read more]
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