EU Presidency Statement - Crime Prevention, Criminal Justice, and International Drug Control

EU Presidency Statement on Items 106 and 107, Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice and International Drug Control, by The Permanent Mission of the United Kingdom to the United Nations, on behalf of the European Union, Third Committee, Sixtieth Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations, New York

Chairperson,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The Acceding Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Candidate Countries Turkey and Croatia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, EFTA country Norway, member of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova align themselves with this statement.

Chairperson,

1. Crime impacts on society at many levels. Its effects can be as damaging for individuals and families as for business and government. It can threaten the stability, prosperity and development of society as a whole. Combating crime is therefore essential for personal, social and economic wellbeing and can be ensured by the robust protection of persons and property against attack by criminals. But the EU also recognises the importance of tackling the underlying causes of crime. International cooperation plays a key role in building the necessary capacity to tackle crime and the EU supports the work of the UN Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme to facilitate this cooperation.

2. As the effects of globalisation increase, so does international crime. Organised criminal networks are becoming more sophisticated, adapting quickly to new technologies and opportunities. Effective international measures are essential to counter this threat. The EU therefore welcomed the entry into force of the UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime. We note that, following the Protocols on the Smuggling of Migrants and the Trafficking of Persons, the Protocol on Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms has now entered into force.

3. A considerable number of EU Member States, as well as candidate and SAP countries have ratified the Convention and its Protocols and I can assure you of our commitment to complete the ratification process as soon as possible. The European Union calls upon all states that have not yet done so to ratify or accede to and implement the Convention and its Protocols at the earliest possible date.

4. The second Conference of the Parties of the TOC in October this year will provide an opportunity to promote and review the implementation of the Convention. The EU encourages participants to use the conference for a substantive review of progress so far.

5. The smuggling of migrants and the trafficking of human beings for prostitution and labour exploitation are two areas of growing concern. The trafficking of human beings is a particularly abhorrent crime and the EU has played a vital role in ensuring that there are common standards across the EU for tackling trafficking. The EU is developing an Action Plan to combat human trafficking which will provide a balanced and coherent framework that supports the efforts of law enforcement and protects the victims of trafficking.

6. The European Union recognises the impact of corruption as an obstacle to sustainable development and good governance. Organised crime and terrorism depends to a large extent on corrupt practices and networks, which also undermines democracy and the rule of law in our societies. It therefore requires a comprehensive and well targeted approach, tackling both the demand side as well as the supply side of corruption. The EU welcomed the signing of the UN Convention against Corruption and its focus on prevention, criminalisation, international cooperation and asset recovery. We look forward to the entry into force of the Convention later this year and the first Conference of the States Parties.

7. The EU is also alert to the need for effective international cooperation in the fight against terrorism, which should also include the prevention of terrorism and the combating of the financing of terrorism. We will continue to support the valuable work of the Terrorism Prevention Branch of the UNODC in their efforts to facilitate implementation of the 13 UN conventions and protocols on terrorism.

8. The EU plays a very active role in the international fight against drugs and drug-trafficking. The drugs phenomenon is one of the major concerns of the citizens of Europe and a major threat to the security and health of European society. The use of drugs, particularly among young people, is at historically high levels. The incidence of HIV/AIDS among drug users in both industrialised countries and much of the developing world and transition economies, is causing increasing concern among us. Given the global nature of the drugs problem, the EU takes action by utilising a number of political instruments, such as the dialogue on drugs with various regions of the world. To give an effective response to this global problem based on the principle of shared responsibility remains a political priority for the European Union.

9. In December 2004, the European Council endorsed the EU Drug Strategy (2005-2012) which sets the framework, objectives and priorities for two consecutive four-year Action Plans to be brought forward by the Commission. This Strategy is an integral part of the multi-annual programme "The Hague Programme" for strengthening freedom, security and justice in the EU. The strategy concentrates on two policy fields, demand reduction and supply reduction, and two cross-cutting themes; international cooperation and research, information and evaluation. For each one of the four areas, a concrete and identifiable result to be achieved was defined and priorities in terms of actions have also been selected.

10. In June 2005, the EU adopted a Drugs Action Plan for the years 2005-08 through which to implement its Strategy through a number of specific actions. Assessment tools and indicators have been introduced for each action. The Action Plan aims to provide a framework for a balanced approach to reducing both supply and demand through a number of specific actions. The Action Plan includes an important section on international counter-narcotics co-operation. This includes the provision of assistance to, and co-operation with, the leading drug producer and transit countries in the world. This co-operation should include intensified efforts at law enforcement co-operation and capacity-building with the countries concerned, including through the network of Member States' Drug Liaison Officers. And it aims to counteract the production and trafficking of drugs, the diversion of chemical precursors used in their production and to reduce the demand for drugs and the risks associated from their use through the development and improvement of effective early intervention, treatment, harm reduction, rehabilitation and social reintegration measures. The Action Plan also envisages that the EU should contribute fully to the evaluation of the implementation of the results of the 1998 UN General Assembly Special Session on Drugs (UNGASS).

11. On that note, I would like to finish by stressing the EU's support for the work of the UNODC and its strong commitment in the international fight against drug trafficking and transnational organised crime. As the threats from drugs and crime increase, and the consequences of not addressing those threats become more serious, it is more important than ever that the mechanisms in place to deal with these challenges are robust and effective. What matters are results. International processes can only deliver those results with a strong commitment to action from participants. The EU considers that there may be scope to improve co-ordination between the different strands of activity in order to achieve maximum efficiency from existing structures. It suggests that the international community begin its reflections on how to improve its strategy against drugs in the run up to the next UNGASS on Drugs in 2008.

Thank you, Chairperson.


* Croatia continues to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process

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• Signature of agreement between the UN Office on Drugs and Crime and the EC (18/1/2005)