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Crimes are now becoming increasingly transnational and highly organised, employing modern technology and sophistication. In some instances the criminal world possesses superior weapons and equipment to that of the security forces and because of their financial power it could buy its way in almost any situation.
The struggle against organised crime, corruption and trafficking in illicit drugs and human beings is too big for any one country to tackle alone.
This was the sentiment expressed by Yury Fedotov, Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, in an address to the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) in October 2010, as he appealed to member states for sustainable funding to enable his office to fulfil its mandates.
Speaking at the start of the committee’s general discussion on crime prevention, criminal justice and international drug control, Mr. Fedotov said the challenges posed by illicit drugs, crime, corruption and terrorism were an integral part of the United Nations development and security agenda.
“Development needs security to succeed,” he said. “It needs solid, functioning institutions, grounded in the rule of law.
“All these issues are connected, so we cannot address them in isolation,” he added. “They are also transnational — and they are too big for countries to confront on their own.”
Organised crime and corrupt institutions could only be challenged if states displayed a collective will to do so, he said, calling for a redoubling of efforts to implement the Convention against Transnational Organised Crime and its three protocols, as well as the Convention against Corruption. He also welcomed the Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons that was adopted by the General Assembly on 30 July, 2010 and the United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Trafficking, which is to be launched in New York next month.
The global challenges the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) addressed were all “crucial concerns’ and among the priorities set out by the Secretary-General in his strategic framework for 2010-2011, yet the General Assembly allocated “less than one per cent” of the regular budget of the United Nations to the Office, Mr. Fedotov said. “If the threats to development and security that we are tackling are so urgent, then surely UNODC requires a large share of the United Nations regular budget,” he added, as he appealed for a funding model that would be “sustainable, predictable and stable.”
Mr. Fedotov is certainly correct, as many of the big powers of the world are calling on developing countries to do more in curbing crime but are not providing adequate support to help these countries in the fight against crime.
Our country, like several of its sister CARICOM and neighbouring South American states, are facing a difficult situation with respect to crime- fighting in recent years and the situation is made even more difficult with the political opposition working in collaboration with criminals and constantly criticising the local security forces.
However, it is heartening to hear some of the changes and initiatives in relation to crime- fighting as announced by Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee.
One of the significant facilities that will come on stream will be the forensic laboratory which will bring Guyana’s forensic capability on par with those in the developed world, and will allow a high level of confidentiality, credibility and integrity between law-enforcement agencies and the public.
Indeed, a forensic laboratory is an imperative in any crime-fighting programme and therefore this facility will be a fillip in this regard.
Training in the Guyana Police Force has also intensified in recent years and this is commendable, because being up to date with the latest methods of crime- fighting is crucial.
However, as a long- term goal we should seek to develop a police force that is highly professional, disciplined and of impeccable integrity.
