| Statement by Ambassador Palitha T.B. Kohona |
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| Thursday, 08 October 2009 17:25 | |
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Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka On Crime Prevention, Criminal Justice and International Drug Control in the Third Committee 8th October, 2009 Mr Chairman, At the outset, let me congratulate you on your election to the Chair of this Committee. My delegation notes with appreciation the reports of the Secretary-General which underline the fact that international organized crime in today’s world is interconnected, knows no boundaries and has immense impact on global peace and security, stability of States and their socio economic development. The foundations of some States are challenged by transnational organized crime. Transnational organized crime is an issue that must be addressed by all members of the international community. It cannot be effectively addressed by each of us individually in a single minded pursuit of our interests alone. The Secretary-General’s reports have highlighted that cooperation, at the national, and regional and international levels, remains the most important element to cope with international organized crime. My delegation notes the valuable work being done by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) under the leadership of Mr. Costa by lending technical and technological assistance to member States to develop their national capabilities to face the challenges which plague the world today namely international terrorism, corruption and transnational organized crime in all its forms and manifestations. As a country that was seriously affected by terrorism for over 27 years, Sri Lanka wishes to emphasize, based on its own experience, the vicious nexus between terrorism, drug trafficking and human smuggling. We cannot discuss efforts to combat drug trafficking without addressing interconnected crimes such as international terrorism, money laundering and human trafficking. Most terrorist groups are closely interlinked with drug cartels and human traffickers as we have learnt from our own experience. Terrorist groups with their transnational linkages and multifaceted criminal networks generate a vast and complex mix of criminal activities ranging from overseas fund raising using overseas bases, terrorist financing, money laundering, arms procurement and other organized criminal activities, all of which are interrelated. The transportation of large consignments of sophisticated equipment and lethal cargo to provide logistical support to terrorist groups continues to pose a threat to maritime security. Weapons transported by sea are reaching more than one group. Sri Lanka has been a victim of unprecedented and dangerous forms of maritime terrorism. Our own experience following the defeat of the terrorist group that was operating on our soil is that their networks are now relocating and transferring their expertise to arms smuggling and drug trafficking at the international level. This underlines the need for close collaboration in intelligence sharing and joint operations at all levels to combat these crimes. Such activities carried out in one part of the world, including through front organizations, have a global impact while sustaining the terrorist activities of these groups on their home soil. Therefore, we urgently require an effective and compelling international response. The importance of forging a global consensus on a comprehensive normative framework for international cooperation and solidarity in combating terrorism within the parameters of international law, needs to be underlined. Mr. Chairman, As the Secretary-General’s report has highlighted, more than half of the world’s opiate using population lives in Asia. The largest markets for cocaine remains North America followed by the West, Central Europe and South America. The highest levels of Cannabis use remains in the established markets of North America and Western Europe. This data exemplifies the fact that concerted global efforts are necessary to address the drug problem. It is no longer sufficient to combat trafficking in traditional drugs, the cultivation areas of which have decreased over the past year. It is of paramount importance that we recognize that technological advancement has facilitated the development of new synthetic drugs which are more toxic and easier to transport and smuggle and less costly in manufacturing resulting in an increase in the number of centres for the global production of such narcotic products. Mr. Chairman, Whilst international cooperation including legal and other measures are required to address the increase in global crime levels, we can all agree that poverty reduction and finding alternative livelihood generating development programmes will significantly contribute towards addressing these challenges. The current global economic slowdown and the food crisis are undoubtedly exacerbating international crime levels. Mr. Chairman, International efforts to combat human trafficking and human smuggling are also interlinked with the activities of terrorist groups as well as poverty and lack of social advancement. The implementation of the United Nations convention against transnational organized crime should continue to be the legal and institutional cornerstone in our global efforts against trafficking. Mr. Chairman, My delegation is of the view that an integrated and comprehensive approach to prevent international crime by forging a global consensus based on our shared interests and implementation of international instruments, is the way forward. Thank you Mr. Chairman. |
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