Statement by Ambassador Raza Bashir Tarar Deputy Permanent Representative of Pakistan on Agenda Item 103: Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice and Agenda Item 104: International Drug Control Third Committee 67th Session of the UNGA New York (10 October 2012)

Mr. Chairman,

We thank the Secretary General for his reports, which dilate upon various aspects of the ongoing problem, including efforts by Member States and technical assistance given by the relevant UN mechanisms, in particular United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC), in accordance with their mandates to tackle various aspects of this fight. We have also taken due note of the statement made by Mr. Sardeep Chawla earlier today and the issues raised therein. We fully agree with the conclusion that the UNODC be given due importance it deserve and for the entity to perform its tasks efficiently and effectively, we need to fix the organizational and administrative issues. One immediate issue of concern is to increase the share of its funding from the regular UN budget. We would also participate actively in the Intergovernmental Working Group on governance and finance to address the other two issues raised by Mr. Chawla today.

  1. A major threat to human security, transnational organized crime impedes social, economic, political and cultural development of societies around the globe. This phenomenon manifests itself in different forms like trafficking in human beings, trafficking in firearms, smuggling of migrants and money laundering. Technological advancements and global fiscal woes have added to the appeal of these nefarious activities as have poverty and unemployment. Cooperation at the national, regional and international levels remains the key to tackle international organized crime. It must also be based on a balanced and comprehensive approach to eliminate or substantially reduce demand, supply and trafficking.

Mr. Chairman,

  1. We ignore or downplay the demand-factor at our peril. Increase in demand for drugs, cheap labour and illegal-transfer of money in the developed world leads to increased supply from the developing world. We, therefore, reiterate the Secretary General’s call to the international community to focus more on the demand side. The consumer countries that create the strongest demand-pull should particularly strengthen their own efforts to reduce illicit drug use within their territories.
  2. The United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, which is an important mechanism dealing with crime prevention and criminal justice policy, should be strengthened. UNODC should play a lead role in providing required technical assistance to Member States for capacity building.

Mr. Chairman,

  1. The world drug problem requires effective and enhanced international cooperation. UN Drug Control Conventions provide the framework for such cooperation. Pakistan is a state party to all these Conventions and has taken necessary legislative and administrative measures for their effective implementation.
  2. Through a multi-pronged strategy, coupling strict enforcement with development plans and activities offering alternatives to growers, Pakistan has made phenomenal gains in eliminating the illicit opium crop. However, we continue to suffer as a transit country. In cooperation with UNODC, we have successfully launched Country Programme 2010-2014, which comprehensively takes into account all facets of the drug problem including its regional impact.
  3. Drug problem in our region is becoming complex and needs to be addressed through a concerted approach by all regional countries in cooperation with relevant international mechanisms including International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). We are actively contributing to the regional and international efforts to stop the outflow of drugs and inflow of precursor chemicals from the neighbouring regions. Pakistan has been part of the “Rainbow Strategy” of UNODC and has actively participated in the “Triangular Cooperation Initiative” with Afghanistan and Iran to combat narco-trade. Fourth Ministerial Meeting under this initiative held in Islamabad in 2010 took important decisions that will go a long way in addressing the issue. However, the enormity and scale of the problem calls for comprehensive assistance including through the provision of requisite technical equipment to the Triangular Initiative Member States. Pakistan is also playing an active role in the Regional programme for Afghanistan and neighbouring countries as well as the Paris Pact Initiative.

Mr. Chairman,

  1. Adoption of the Global Plan of Action against Trafficking in Persons was an important step embodying the international community’s resolve to address this issue with due seriousness. To counter human trafficking, Pakistan has, inter alia, promulgated the Prevention and Control of Human Trafficking Ordinance (P&CHTO). The Ordinance also incorporates a role for the civil society to work with the law enforcement agencies for rehabilitation of victims of human trafficking. Similarly a special Anti-Human Trafficking Unit has been set up in the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to crack down on human traffickers.
  2. In line with Article 55 of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), Member States should cooperate with each other proactively in responding to the requests for exchange of information related to proceeds of crime, property, equipment or other instruments referred to in Article 31. Member States should also develop appropriate mechanisms to overcome obstacles arising from the application of their bank secrecy laws. To cope with issues relating to money laundering and terrorist financing, we have joined the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism. Under Pakistan’s Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLO) - 2010 a Financial Monitoring Unit (FMU) has been set up in the State Bank of Pakistan, to cooperate with other countries to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.
  3. Crime, whether international or local, cannot be fought without an effective judicial system. Pakistan’s “Access to Justice Programme” launched in 2002 with the help of Asian Development Bank, helped reduce backlog of court cases.
  4. Secure borders are an added deterrence against international crime, the Personal Identification Secure Comparison and Evaluation System (PISCES) implemented with international help, provides the immigration authorities and law enforcement agencies systematic and authentic information to identify travelers moving across our borders. PISCES is an example of how mutually beneficial results can be obtained through international cooperation.
  5. We can better tackle international crime with an integrated and comprehensive approach with firm long-term political and financial commitment to ensure capacity building, technical assistance, financial assistance and provision of appropriate equipment. We, therefore, support Secretary General’s request for ensuring a sustainable, predictable and stable funding for relevant UN mechanisms, which can serve the assistance needs of Member States.

I thank you Mr. Chairman.