NAM Supports United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime

The United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, adopted by General Assembly resolution 55/25 of 15 November 2000, is the main international instrument in the fight against transnational organized crime. It opened for signature by Member States at a High-level Political Conference convened for that purpose in Palermo, Italy, on 12-15 December 2000 and entered into force on 29 September 2003. The Convention is further supplemented by three Protocols, which target specific areas and manifestations of organized crime: the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children; the Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air; and the Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, their Parts and Components and Ammunition. Countries must become parties to the Convention itself before they can become parties to any of the Protocols.

The Convention represents a major step forward in the fight against transnational organized crime and signifies the recognition by Member States of the seriousness of the problems posed by it, as well as the need to foster and enhance close international cooperation in order to tackle those problems. States that ratify this instrument commit themselves to taking a series of measures against transnational organized crime, including the creation of domestic criminal offences (participation in an organized criminal group, money laundering, corruption and obstruction of justice); the adoption of new and sweeping frameworks for extradition, mutual legal assistance and law enforcement cooperation; and the promotion of training and technical assistance for building or upgrading the necessary capacity of national authorities.
Transnational Organized Crime is one of the major problems faced by the developing countries in particular.

As such, Non-Aligned Movement has reiterated its commitment to co-ordinate the efforts and strategies at national, regional and international levels against transnational crime and to develop the most effective methods in preventing and combating crime of this nature. NAM Member States have offered their full support towards the realization of the objectives of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. NAM Member States have reaffirmed that organized criminal activities adversely affect development, political stability and social and cultural values. NAM Member States have highlighted the importance of socioeconomic development when formulating comprehensive crime prevention strategies.

NAM has reiterated that responding to the threats and challenges posed by transnational organized crime requires close cooperation at international level. NAM Member States has renewed their commitment to fight all forms of transnational organized crime by strengthening national legal frameworks, where applicable, and cooperation mechanisms, in particular through the exchange of information, mutual legal assistance and extradition in accordance with domestic law and international instruments as appropriate.

In May 2011, Government of India ratified the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and its three protocols. India believes that signing and progressive ratification of the UNTOC and its related protocols will enhance the level of international co-operation among the various State parties to the Convention in the fight against various forms of organized crime with transnational character, which are endangering not only the lives and liberties of citizens, but also affecting the very foundations of peace, progress and well-being of nations and their societies in an increasingly globalized world.

Malaysia signed the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) on 26 September 2002 and subsequently ratified the Convention during the 59th United Nations General Assembly on 24 September 2004. A statement them by the Malaysian Mission to the United Nations said that Malaysia’s ratification of the convention demonstrated the country’s strong commitment in increasing international co-operation in the fight against it.

NAM thus acknowledges that United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime could serve as a strong foundation to build close cooperation at the international level in preventing and combating transnational organized crime.