Statement

of the representative of Ukraine to the Third Committee

on agenda items 108 «Сrime prevention and criminal justice»

and 109 “International drug control”

(October 9, 2013, New York)

Mr. Chairman,

While aligning with the statement of the Delegation of the European Union, I would like to comment on some issues from our national prospective.

Mr. Chairman,

Transnational crime and drug traffickingconstitute a serious menace in our globalized world, which has dangerous implications for domestic security, social and economic situation of large segments of the population, as well as for the health of our citizens.

Complying with the obligations of the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and protocols thereto,Ukraine is deeply committed to upholding and developing an international order based on the rule of law where international law is fully respected and implemented.

We appreciate the work of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice as the principal policymaking organ of the United Nations on matters of crime prevention and criminal justice and as the governing body of UNODC’s activity in this sphere.

Ukraine considers the international cooperation as an indispensible instrument in building the necessary capacity of state to tackle crime and enhance criminal justice, and therefore notes with appreciation UNODC’s efforts in Member States’ provision with technical cooperation, advisory services and other forms of assistance.

We recognize the importance of Secretary-General’s initiative to establish the Joint DPKO-UNDP Global Focal Point for Police, Justice and Corrections areas in the rule of law in post-conflict and other crisis situations, which should strengthen the United Nations ability to fill appropriate critical civilian capacity gaps in the aftermath of conflict. The structural changes of engaged UN entities are already in place, but a lot more need to be done to ensure further effective implementation of assigned tasks.

For our part, Government of Ukraine has placed the fight against transnational organized crime and drug trafficking on par with countering terrorism and illegal trafficking in weapons and nuclear materials, classifying them as potential threats to the National Security of Ukraine. 

We remain deeply committed to promoting a stable international and regional cooperation and believe that Member States should take additional measures, including through information exchanges, sharing of experience and technical and expert assistance, for the purpose of effective tackling of transnational crime.

Ukraine fully takes advantage of the Interpol’s global tools and services, which are broadly used by 190 of its Member Countries.

At the same time, cooperation between States within the certain geographical regions proved to be equally efficient due to the high frequency of our operational contacts. In case of Ukraine, EUROPOL, OSCE, SECI, GUAM and CIS are our major regional partners in this field.

We believe that international and regional cooperation among law enforcement agencies should be in our today’s focus. We can and should take advantage of the practical networks provided within such partnership.

Mr. Chairman,

Ukraine is concerned by the links between different forms of transnational organized crime, in particular drug trafficking, money laundering, corruption and, in some cases, terrorism as they undermine socio-economic progress, in particular in post-conflict and fragile states where there is a clear lack of governance. We further note with concern that the new forms and manifestations of transnational organized crime create new challenges to criminal justice systems.

In this regard we commend the work of the UNODC on the comprehensive study of the problem of cybercrime. Maintaining the security of cyberspace is an emerging and significant challenge for the international community. Therefore, Ukraine deems important and very timely to address this emerging form of crime in order to strengthenresponses toit by Member States, the international community and the private sector.  

In this context I would like to mention the presentation, organized last month in UNHQ, by leading Ukrainian scholars on technical capabilities in the area of countering cybercrime and ensuring cyber security, which is a good example of an exchange of best practices among Member States and relevant UN bodies.  

Ukraine remains deeply committed to the fight against corruption. Our country strongly believes that the UN Convention against Corruption, as the first legally binding international anti-corruption instrument, is an essential tool for combating corruption and takes steps to fully implement the provisions of this document. In this regard, we would like to express our hope that the forthcoming Fifth session of the Conference of the States Parties to the UN Convention against Corruption to be held in Panama in November this year will provide an opportunity to exchange views on challenges and good practices in the area of international cooperation to combat corruption.

We recognize the work undertaken within the framework of the UN Convention against Corruption review mechanism and hope that the participation in this process will help states to ensure further effective and efficient implementation of this legal instrument.

Ukraine remains committed to the effective implementation of recommendations of the Salvador Declaration adopted at the 12^th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice. We equally welcome the launch of the preparatory process for the 13^th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice to be held in Qatar in 2015 and recognize the importance of the substantive contributions that this major event can make to the United Nations post-2015 development agenda.

Mr. Chairmen,

Ukraine supports the enhanced multilateral cooperation of UN entities and Member States in combatinghuman trafficking within the framework of Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in persons and,as a state of origin, transit and destination simultaneously,  takes active part in these efforts, aiming at putting into practice the positive experience of international organizations and other countries in this sphere.

The fight against trafficking in human beings remains one of the key issues addressed by the OSCE under the Ukrainian Chairmanship.

We continue to pursue a comprehensive, human rights based approach to this global crime in close cooperation with all international partners and on a bilateral basis.

As a maritime state, Ukraine keeps making efforts to secure maritime navigation safety and combat piracy at the sea. The primary task in this field is to reinforce the efficacy of mechanisms of prosecuting culprits for perpetrating and financing piracy.

At the same time, we continue making contribution to the strengthening of safety and security of main international maritime routes and international trade through active engagement of Ukrainian warships in the NATO Operation Ocean Shield counter piracy mission in the Gulf of Aden and off the Horn of Africa and naval operation EUNAVFOR Atalanta.

Mr. Chairman,

Ukraine acknowledges with concern that the drug problem remains one of the major challenges facing the international community. It has a negative impact on socio-economic development as it affects public health, security and well-being of all humanity.

Ukraine recognizes the principal role played by the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, together with the International Narcotics Control Board, as the United Nations organs with prime responsibility for drug control issues. We support the work of those international organs. 

We believe that implementation of the Political Declaration and Plan of Action on International Cooperation towards an Integrated and Balanced Strategy to Counter the World Drug Problem, contributes to increasing effectiveness of the mechanisms for international cooperation in this important area.

Therefore, we look forward to the High-level review of the progress made in the implementation of goals of the Political Declaration and Plan of Action in 2014 and stand ready to be deeply engaged in the appropriate preparatory process.  

We share an integrated, multidisciplinary and balanced approach to tackling the problem of illicit manufacture, trade in and use of drugs. We are confident that all drug control activities have to be implemented with due respect to relevant human rights instruments.

In August this year the Government of Ukraine adopted a New Anti-Drug Strategy of Ukraine until 2020, which is based on the international drug control treaties and relevant human rights instruments. The Strategy defines new approaches in the national policy of Ukraine to the problem of illicit drugs and treatment of drug-dependent persons. It sets framework, objectives and mechanisms for reduction of illicit drug supply and demand for them providing the balanced approach to the state drug policy between punitive measures for drug trafficking and ensuring availability of drugs for medical and scientific  purposes. Main focuses of the Strategy is put on the preventive education as an effective tool in addressing the root causes of illicit drugs. This approach, combined with the traditional principle of adequate response to growing threats is set as the basis of the Strategy.

Ukraine remains committed to promoting, developing and strengthening effective, comprehensive, integrated drug demand reduction programs,aimed at promoting health and social well-being in full compliance with the main international drug control conventions.

We welcome the preparation and publication by the UNODC of the International Standards on Drug Use Prevention, which summarize the currently available scientific evidence and identify the major components of an effective national drug prevention system. We encourage all member states to use these standards as the basis to develop future national programs in this sphere.

In closing, Mr. Chairman, may I reiterate that effective fight against illegal drugs is only possible with the support of the international community. It is apparent that the world drug problem is our common and shared responsibility. Ukraine is fully committed to this principle and will further commit itself to respond to the world drug problem following an integrated, multidisciplinary, evidence based and balanced approach.

I thank you, Mr. Chairman.

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