Highlights

The Fourth Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) on the Convention and its three protocols; the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, the Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air and the Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, was held in Vienna on 8 - 17 October, 2008.  Approximately 55 representatives from 35 civil society organizations attended the event as observers and contributors. Two NGO coordination meetings helped foster communication between these organizations and allowed groups working on similar issues to come together and share ideas and proposals for progress. A briefing was also held with Ms. Marjorie Bonn, Ministry of Justice, Netherlands, and the Chair of the "Open- ended working group of Government experts on extradition, mutual legal assistance and international cooperation for purposes of confiscation." Ms. Bonn presented an overview of the proceedings in the working group which was restricted to Member States participation.

Civil society organizations also contributed to two side events;

The panelist from Transparency International spoke about the efforts already taken to establish a review mechanism for the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC). These efforts were presented as a guideline for construction of a similar mechanism for UNTOC. The panelist from the Philippine Buhay Foundation emphasized the importance of engaging with civil society and stressed the need to focus on the human rights aspects of the protocol.  The panelists declared that the mechanism must be effective, transparent and cost efficient. This review mechanism was presented as a potentially important tool to identify the main obstacles to successful implementation of the protocol and to identify the impact of existing anti-trafficking policies which ultimate purpose is to convict traffickers and protect victims.

  • A presentation on the importance of international cooperation in addressing Environmental Crime.

The Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Antonio Maria Costa opened the event organized by the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), an NGO from the United Kingdom on "Environmental Crime: Our Planet, Our Problem".  Environmental crime takes many forms, including illegal trade in flora and fauna, illegal disposal of hazardous waste, illegal logging, smuggling of ozone depleting substances, as well as illegal mining and trade of precious stones. Mr. Costa thanked the EIA and other environmental groups for raising awareness of these disastrous offenses and urging the international community to act to combat these crimes.  He stressed the importance of applying the existing legal framework of UNTOC towards this aim and called for strict application of the UNCAC to put an end to the corrupt behavior which enables these activities to take place. He encouraged all present to contribute to the cause by reducing consumption and therefore demand of illegally traded products. The EIA presented a short film which addressed these issues and answered questions from concerned participants. The EIA and Mr. Costa stressed the importance of recognizing that environmental crime is not, as it is often seen, a "victimless crime." These atrocious acts are destroying the planet and therefore affect not only every one living today, but the prosperity and health of generations to come.

Civil Society contribution to the 2008 United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ)

" Let's open our doors and our minds to involve all those who want to build a safer and more just world" said Mr Costa, Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in his opening statement at the 17 th Session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPJC) held on 14-18 April 2008. He emphasized the need to build a strong partnership with society in addressing the continued increase in the menace of organized crime.

The turnout of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) during the CCPCJ session confirmed UNODC's effort to facilitate a constructive dialogue between non-governmental organizations (NGO) and government delegates. Contributions on a regional and global scale as well as achievements of some CSOs were presented during several interactive side-events organized and co-sponsored by NGOs during the Commission week.

Highlights of some of the side events included:

Following the Thematic Debate on Violence against Women, the Panel Discussion on Responding to the Needs of Women in Prison, held on 15 April 2008 and proudly sponsored by Thailand on the initiative of HRH Princess Bajarakitiyabha Mahidol of Thailand, included a presentation on "The impact of parental imprisonment on children" by Oliver Robertson (The Friends world Committee for consultation, Quaker United Nations Office).

On Wednesday 16 April 2008, the Panel Discussion on Prisoners with Special Needs was hosted by the International Commission for the Catholic Prison Pastoral Care (ICCPPC) and UNODC in cooperation with Penal Reform International, Human Rights Watch and the Institute of Criminology of the University of Vienna. The event, attended by more than 70 participants, presented the up-coming UNODC Handbook on Special Needs and provided an overview on "Prisoners with Mental Health Care Needs" (Allison Hannan, Penal Reform International), "Prisoners under Sentence of Death" (Brian Gowans, ICCPPC), and "Women in Protective Custody" ( Farida Deif, Human Rights Watch).

The Panel Discussion on "Strategies to address Violence against Children in conflict with the Law", held on 17 April 2008, presented contributions from the Interagency Panel of Juvenile Justice and Defence for Children International.

In 2007, a panel discussion on the Role of Civil Society in the Prevention of Urban Violence and Organized Crime highlighted lessons learned of NGOs from four continents. For more info , see here a short review on the event (pdf).

"Vienna Forum to Fight Human Trafficking ("UN GIFT ") on 13-15 February, 2008

The forum saw an impressive level of participation of key players (including approximately 350 civil society representatives) from across the globe to raise awareness and enhance cooperation in the fight against human trafficking. Throughout the Vienna Forum, the significance of civil society's role in combating human trafficking was repeatedly emphasized In the vast majority of panels and workshops, civil society representatives occupied prominent positions, and, throughout the Vienna Forum, a special CSO Knowledge Exchange Centre was available for civil society organisations to present their counter-trafficking activities and display material. In closing, the UNODC Executive Director highlighted the importance of the continued participation of civil society in the fight against human trafficking.

Civil Society and the UN Convention Against Corruption

In the picture: Art. 13 of UNCAC, on the participation of civil society  Art. 13, UNCAC on Participation of Society

Civil society organizations from around the world participated in the second session of the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), that took place from 28 January to 2 February 2008 in Bali, Indonesia. The Coalition of the Civil Society Friends of UNCAC, which includes Transparency International and another 45 civil society organizations from all over the world, organized on 29 January a forum focusing on "whistleblowers and anti-corruption activists in hostile environments" and "the need for mechanism for review of implementation for UNCAC".

Three whistleblowers (all public servants), told their stories, which demonstrated the devastating consequences of exposing and denouncing corruption for them and their families. The output from the meeting was a decision to set up an International Solidarity Network comprising anti-corruption organisations, trade unions and others to support and protect anti-corruption activists. Additionally, the Coalition approved its position statement (pdf) on the implementation of the Convention, which called for the creation of a transparent and participatory review mechanism, a fund for asset recovery, the coordination of technical assistance, and the protection of whistleblowers.

"Squisito" 2008- UNODC and San Patrignano promote Food as an alternative to Drugs

Also this year's edition of Squisito, an international food event organized by San Patrignano, the largest drug rehabilitation centre in Europe was held under the auspices of UNODC. The event that took place from 30 May to 2 June 2008 attracted an overwhelming response from the media and was well-attended by over 20,000 visitors from all over Italy.

Squisito gathered 13 Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)  projects, exhibited at the GoodFood pavilion, showcasing products from around the world grown by small farmers participating in the UNODC's Alternative Development programme. Some prominent NGOs such as DACAAR , ICARDA and DoiTung actively working with UNODC on Alternative Development projects in Afghanistan, Thailand, Peru, Myanmar and Colombia offered samples of their products, photo exhibits and informative material on their programmes to visitors.

The GoodFood pavilion exhibited a wide range of products such as mint, saffron, and pistachio from Afghanistan, and Lahu Mountain Green and Black tea from Myanmar. Peru offered coffee Oro Verde Café from Lamas - San Martin, and some palmito. Myanmar exhibited textile products ranging from handbags and wallets to tapestries. Carpignani, an Italian ice cream maker sold Gelato made from mint saffron and pistachios produced from Afghanistan. Visitors marveled at the quality of the products and of the Alternative Development programmes aimed at providing licit income-generating opportunities to small farmers who would otherwise be engaged in the cultivation of opium poppy, coca and cannabis. Squisito raised the interest of  small and medium-sized enterprises in Italy to commercialise these high-quality products on the Italian market.

The event not only exhibited products, but also created global awareness of the environmental consequences of the cultivation of illicit drugs. In his welcoming speech, Jorge Rios, Chief of UNODC's Sustainable Livelihoods Unit revealed that, "Growing illicit crops and manufacturing drugs not only is a negative factor for the family or the community, but also has a devastating impact on the environment". He further indicated that, "in Colombia over the last 20 years, 2.2 million hectares of tropical forest in one of the world's most important biological hotspots have been destroyed to cultivate coca".

San Patrignano looks forward to provide in the coming years other events that will convene diverse multicultural and international Alternative Development products.

Information on Squisito 2007