Issue 103 | January 2, 2018
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
Police Forces of 33 countries in the Americas sign Hemispheric Declaration against human trafficking
International cooperation and inter-institutional coordination are central elements to prevent and combat human trafficking and to dismantle organized criminal networks. As part of ongoing efforts, the National Security Commission of Mexico organized the first Hemispheric Summit on Human Trafficking, where representatives of 33 Police Forces in the Americas signed a declaration against this crime. [Read more]
Increasing public safety and preventing reoffending in Indonesia through prison-based work programmes
As the guardian of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisonners (the Nelson Mandela Rules), UNODC is working with authorities across the world to establish a more rehabilitative approach to prison management. A national workshop on enhancing prison-based work programmes in Indonesia was jointly held by UNODC and the country's Directorate-General of Corrections. [Read more]
UNODC Chief: Afghanistan faces opium crisis, response must be urgent, swift, decisive
In recent years attention has shifted away from the threat posed by illicit drugs, the Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, Yury Fedotov, told the UN Security Council. "We must reverse this trend, or risk the further expansion and destabilizing influence of non-state actors, organized criminal groups and violent terrorists", he said. [Read more]
West Africa: UNODC promotes regional cooperation in human trafficking and migrant smuggling cases
With a view to addressing human trafficking and the smuggling of migrants in the region, UNODC hosted a workshop promoting regional cooperation for members of the West African Network of Central Authorities and Prosecutors against Organised Crime (WACAP). Held in Vienna, the two-day event brought together over 20 participants from eight West African countries: Mali, Niger, Côte d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Ghana, the Gambia, Nigeria and Senegal. [Read more]
UNODC, Kenya hold inter-regional conference to counter the world drug problem
UNODC and the Government of Kenya welcomed officials from Africa, Latin America and West Asia in Nairobi to review challenges and share lessons learned in countering the world drug problem. Organized in support of UNODC's Regional Programme for Promoting the Rule of Law and Human Security in Eastern Africa (2016-2021), the inter-regional conference provided a platform for those affected by the trafficking and use of illicit drugs. [Read more]
UNODC launches manual on investigation and prosecution of foreign terrorist fighters
Foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs) continue to pose a threat to the international community. Acknowledging that coordination across borders is key to identify the most appropriate criminal justice responses, UNODC's Terrorism Prevention Branch developed a new training manual entitled, "Foreign Terrorist Fighters: Manual for Judicial Training Institutes, South-Eastern Europe". [Read more]
UNODC launches publication to help Member States counter opioid crisis
Recent years have seen a sharp global rise in opioid overdose deaths. To assist Member States in addressing this challenge, UNODC's Laboratory and Forensic Services Programme published a manual for forensic laboratories, entitled "Recommended Methods for the Identification and Analysis of Fentanyl and its Analogues in Biological Specimens". [Read more]
Uzbekistan, UNODC sign new joint commitment agreement to strengthen cooperation
UNODC and Uzbekistan signed a joint commitment agreement in Vienna to further develop cooperation in countering illicit drug trafficking, transnational organized crime and terrorism. The agreement is a direct outcome of the 1 November meeting between UNODC Executive Director Yury Fedotov and the President of Uzbekistan, H.E. Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev. [Read More]
Vienna event marks 10th Anniversary of Convention to tackle nuclear terrorism
Representatives of Governments and international organizations as well as experts gathered in Vienna to mark the 10th anniversary of the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (ICSANT).
UNODC Executive Director Yury Fedotov said: "Nuclear terrorism is one of the greatest threats to humanity. No efforts should be spared in our work to overcome this global challenge." [Read more]
Global sports and education experts from 10 countries gather as UNODC's Line Up Live Up initiative multiplies
As part of UNODC's work in promoting sport as a valuable tool for youth crime prevention, sports and education experts from ten different countries met in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. With participants from across the globe attending, the study visit served as an ideal opportunity to bring together a diverse group in order to share best practices and familiarize them with the methodology of UNODC's life skills sports-based training programme - Line Up Live Up. [Read more]
Let's stand #UnitedAgainstCorruption!
For this year's International Anti-Corruption Day, UNODC and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) called for people across the globe to join a worldwide campaign to raise awareness about corruption and take action against this crime. Every year $1 trillion is paid in bribes and an estimated $2.6 trillion are stolen annually through corruption, representing more than 5 per cent of the global GDP. [Read more]
Myanmar: opium cultivation down 25 per cent, but conflict areas remain 'safe haven' for drug traders
The Myanmar Opium Survey 2017 released by UNODC finds reductions have been most significant in East Shan with a drop of 37 per cent and South Shan with a drop of 29 per cent. "Myanmar has taken important steps to address opium cultivation, especially in South Shan where we are running a programme together," said Troels Vester, Country Manager of the UNODC, emphasizing the importance of sustainable alternatives to opium cultivation. [Read more]
Myanmar opium cultivation declines sharply, except in some conflict areas: UN report
The total area of opium poppy cultivation in Myanmar has decreased significantly in 2017 to 41,000 hectares, down 25% from the 55,500 recorded in 2015, according to the Myanmar Opium Survey 2017. Reductions have been most significant in East Shan with a drop of 37% and South Shan with a drop of 29%. However, the report also reveals that while progress has been made, North Shan and Kachin states have seen reductions of less than 3% and 7%. [Read more]
UNODC Survey: Peru coca crop increases but still at lowest rate in the Andean region
The surface used to grow coca leaf crops in Peru in 2016 increased by 9 per cent, which is the lowest increase in the region, according to the latest Peru Coca Survey. The area under cultivation grew by more than 3,500 hectares (ha) in 2016, compared to 2015. The report, jointly produced by UNODC and the country's Government, indicates that the area used for cultivating the raw material for cocaine production increased from 40,300 ha to 43,900 ha. [Read more]
UNODC, Afghanistan partner to strengthen drug control and promote economic development in the country
Amid high illicit crop production figures in Afghanistan, UNODC has scaled up its work with partners to promote innovative strategies to integrate a development perspective into the country's drug control efforts. UNODC teamed up with the Ministry for Counter Narcotics of Afghanistan to host a two-day conference on "Promoting Afghanistan's Alternative Development Initiatives among Regional and International partners" in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. [Read more]
UNODC: thirty years after the global AIDS pandemic started, people who use drugs and prisoners still unduly affected
The theme of World Aids Day this year, "My health, my right" underscores the need for all those affected by HIV to have access to prevention tools and treatment for this deadly disease. The 2017 campaign stresses everyone's right to make decisions about their health, and to be treated without discrimination and with respect and dignity. These principles are fully supported by UNODC in its own work on HIV inside prisons and with people who use drugs. [Read more]
Roadmap to a new chance: UN releases new guidance for prison-based rehabilitation
As the guardian of the Nelson Mandela Rules, UNODC has published a new handbook to provide a series of practical steps for prison administrators in order to assist them in developing high-quality and sustainable rehabilitation programmes that meet international standards and norms: The Roadmap for the Development of Prison-based Rehabilitation Programmes. [Read more]
We must strengthen efforts to safeguard cultural property in conflict areas, UNODC Chief informs Security Council
Countries must be helped to detect stolen cultural property as part of the work to dismantle criminal networks, UNODC Executive Director Yury Fedotov informed the UN Security Council. "We must take the opportunity to further strengthen efforts to better safeguard vulnerable cultural property in various areas of conflict, as well as pursue longer-term measures to prevent terrorists and criminals profiting from trafficking," he said. [Read more]
Other Resources
|