STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR AND PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF BANGLADESH TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON AGENDA ITEM 107: CRIME PREVENTION AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND AGENDA ITEM 108: INTERNATIONAL DRUG CONTROL, AT THE THIRD COMMITTEE OF THE 72ND SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY (New York, 04 October 2017)

STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR AND PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF BANGLADESH TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON AGENDA ITEM 107: CRIME PREVENTION AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND AGENDA ITEM 108: INTERNATIONAL DRUG CONTROL, AT THE THIRD COMMITTEE OF THE 72ND SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY (New York, 04 October 2017)

 

Madam Chair,

 

In today’s highly inter-dependent and inter-connected world, crimes such as trafficking in persons, money laundering, drug trafficking and drug abuse, terrorism and violent extremism are posing greater challenges for countries than ever before. No country is immune as the criminal networks are transnational, organized and opportunist in manipulating the crime prevention and justice system. Concerted efforts are therefore, needed to address these scourges. As a party to related UN Conventions, Bangladesh has been making sincere efforts to combat transnational organized crimes.

 

Madam Chair,

 

With rise in conflict and violence world-wide, poor, marginalized and vulnerable people particularly women and children are falling prey in increasing number to human traffickers. We have to adopt a holistic approach and share our best practices to address the underlying factors of human trafficking.

 

Bangladesh remains consistently engaged within the UN to combat this menace. We look forward to strengthening the work of Inter-Agency Coordination Group against Trafficking in Persons (ICAT). As a member of the Group of Friends United Against Human Trafficking, Bangladesh has been actively supporting the United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons. We joined the high-level deliberations and other events held at the UNGA high-level week. At the regional context and beyond, Bangladesh has been utilizing the SAARC, BIMSTEC platforms and participating regularly in the Bali Process.

 

At the national level, our unstinting efforts against human trafficking is backed by a robust policy framework, bold and target oriented actions. We have enacted the Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking Act 2012. A National Plan of Action is underway focusing on 4Ps-Prevention, Protection, Promoting legal justice and Partnership development and effective monitoring. Government has set up Counter-Trafficking Committees up to grass root level and also established data collection and analysis cell recently.

 

At the same time, Bangladesh has been in the forefront of deliberations for promoting safe, orderly and regular migration. We hosted the 9th Global Forum on Migration and Development in 2016. We are now actively involved in the deliberations for adopting a norm-setting Global Compact for Migration. Our efforts are aimed at retaining the human trafficking dimension in the migration discourse.

 

Drug trafficking and its related abuse poses significant socio-economic challenges for any country. The geographical location of Bangladesh, situated in the production-transit-consumption route, has made it more difficult. Although the government has the legislations in place and the enforcement is also there, the crime and abuse related to drug is on the upswing. We are devising new strategies by introducing anti-drug awareness campaign, bringing in families and other stake holders, arranging treatment & rehabilitation and extending other assistance to address the problem.

 

Bangladesh is committed to establish a corruption free society. Our independent Anti-Corruption Commission enjoys broad support from the people in prosecuting offences related to corruption.

 

Madam Chair,

 

Rise of terrorism and violent extremism is the most worrying global challenge of our time. Bangladesh, under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has been maintaining a “zero tolerance” policy towards all forms of terrorism and violent extremism and taken bold steps to stop financing and other supports to curb terrorism, radicalization and violent extremism.

 

The Government has also formed Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime Unit and strengthened existing units of law enforcement agencies, prosecutorial bodies and financial intelligence to ensure effective support in investigating and curbing all forms of organized crime and illicit financial flows to criminal activities.

 

Madam Chair

 

We appreciate the reports submitted by the Secretary General on these agenda items. We acknowledge the activities of UNODC in its continued endeavours for crime prevention and ensuring criminal justice. For realizing SDGs, strengthening the rule of law, crime prevention, promotion of fair, humane and accountable criminal justice systems should be our priority. Bangladesh delegation will continue to extend its due support in this regard.

 

I thank you.