Human trafficking: fastest growing form of organized crime, Mr. Arlacchi tells OSCE Council

VIENNA, 1 November 2001 (OSCE) - "In the first half century of its existence, the United Nations concentrated on strengthening collective security in order to reduce the likelihood of war between States. As the twentieth century drew to a close, we found ourselves facing the needs to deal with challenges to security within States", stressed today Mr. Pino Arlacchi, Under-Secretary-General, Executive Director of the United Nations Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention (ODCCP) in his address to the 55-nation Permanent Council of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

Mentioning the need to strengthen human security, Mr. Arlacchi outlined that trafficking in human beings was the fastest growing form of organized crime. "There are reports that drug traffickers are switching to human cargo to obtain greater profit with less risk", he said regretting that the international community did not have the degree of political will needed to adequately address the problem. "Preventing the destruction of that many lives is perhaps the clearest example we can find of action to guarantee human security", he underscored. Praising the OSCE for the policy it shares with the United Nations to fight trafficking in human beings, Mr. Arlacchi called upon the OSCE participating States to enhance their legislation, train prosecutors and police, and to conduct awareness raising programmes for the general public to unveil the true nature of this form of crime.

Addressing the issue of "catastrophic terrorism" and "biological terrorism", the Executive Director of the ODCCP stressed the absolute need to search for the root causes aiming at a clear understanding of what he called "an embracing of hatred and violence". He suggested a two-pronged approach to be followed, aiming at simultaneously addressing the causes of terrorism and using the power of the law to fight the manifestation of terrorism. He urged that the existing twelve international conventions against terrorism be fully implemented. Strengthening societies particularly vulnerable to such threats was put forward as another possible instrument to fight terrorism. Mr. Arlacchi mentioned the OSCE contribution in organizing a joint subregional seminar in Bishkek in 1996 on "Drugs and Crime: New Challenges". Similarly he also mentioned OSCE's participation in the Tashkent International Conference last year on "Enhancing Security and Stability in Central Asia", aimed at developing an integrated approach to counter drug trafficking, organized crime and terrorism. "There is now widespread recognition of the link between drug trafficking and the funding of criminal activities, some of which are linked to terrorist acts", he said.

Touching upon the post-conflict situation in Afghanistan, Mr. Arlacchi estimated that assistance would be needed to build up the institutions for the rule of law to prevail in this country. He also called on the representatives of the 55 OSCE participating States to join in a common effort to prevent the opium poppy cultivation and heroin production in the country. "A reduction in the availability of illicit drugs will address an important threat to human security in the region and in Europe', he said adding that it would also affect the financial base of terrorism and organized crime.

The Executive Director of the ODCCP welcomed the possibility to link ODCCP and OSCE's work at the political and operational levels. He concluded his address by calling for "innovative ways to join forces in working toward our common objectives".