Resolution On Effective Cooperation In Combating Illicit Drug Trafficking

resolution on effective cooperation in combating illicit drug trafficking in asia apa/ res/2016/09 1 december 2016 we, the memb

Resolution on Effective Cooperation in Combating Illicit Drug
Trafficking in Asia
APA/ Res/2016/09
1 December 2016
We, the Members of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly,
Recalling the report of the Standing Committee meeting on Social and
Cultural Affairs held in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran, on 13-14
September 2011;
Mindful of the fact that illicit drug trafficking and its negative
impact on health, safety, public order, governance, economic
development and social health constitutes a prime concern in Asia and
deserves a comprehensive consideration by the APA;
Stressing the need to continue to take concentrated measures within
the framework of the Paris Pact in order to strengthen cross-border
cooperation and information exchanged with a view to countering
illicit cultivation, production and trafficking of narcotic drugs in
Asia;
Emphasizing that the danger of illicit drug trafficking is so
pervasive that may undermine international peace and security, and
there is an urgent need to mobilize efforts of all countries to curb
the production of opium and heroin in Afghanistan and to dismantle
networks of illicit drug trafficking from that country;
Recognizing that production and illicit trafficking of narcotics drugs
can be utilized for financing of other organized crimes, including
terrorism;
Expressing the need to explore ways and means to intensify regional
coordination among legislators to combat drug trafficking and make
anti-drugs policy a priority in programs of co-operation with, and of
assistance to, the Asian countries which are affected by illicit drug
trafficking;
Recognizing the interconnected challenges facing Asian countries,
including continued illegal cultivation, production and trafficking of
narcotic drugs that pose a serious threat to the region;
Expressing the need to increase international and regional support for
the capacity building of law-enforcement agencies in Afghanistan, and
to intensify training programs for Afghan law-enforcement staff;
Stressing the need to enhance joint operations with the relevant
Afghan law-enforcement agencies focusing on clandestine
heroin-producing laboratories and organized criminal groups involved
in the drugs trade, and to combine them with increased efforts aimed
at integrated rural development, building infrastructure and
supporting farmers engaged in alternative production;
Recognizing the need for more cooperation with a result-oriented
approach between the law enforcement agencies of the Member States
including customs and border authorities in order to better tackle
smuggling of narcotics and psychotropic substances within the region
and beyond;
Call upon Asian Parliaments to adopt laws on extradition of convicted
persons on terrorism and illicit drug trafficking to their original
countries for fair trial on the bases of their laws and regulations;
Supporting regional and international efforts to improve law
enforcement and combat the production and trafficking of narcotic
drugs and curtailing drug related financial activities;
Emphasizing the need to assist Afghanistan in developing its economy
and diversifying agriculture so as to reduce dependence on revenues
from the illicit drugs trafficking, in line with the Lima Declaration
and International Guiding Principles on Alternative Development
(November 2012);
Stressing the need to take adequate measures in preventing, treatment
and rehabilitation of drug addicts;
Expressing the need for more active and efficient international
cooperation in combating illicit drug trafficking in Asia;
Attaching great importance to the efforts made by international and
regional organizations including the United Nations (UN), and the
Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA) to combat the threats of
international terrorism, illicit drug trafficking, transnational
organized crime and legalization of income derived from criminal
activity;
1.
Call upon Asian Parliaments to coordinate among themselves to
review relevant legislation to address different aspects of
combating illicit drug trafficking;
2.
Stress the need to exchange information and best practices within
APA Member Parliaments on combating illicit drug trafficking;
3.
Reiterate the need to coordinate and improve law enforcement
activities to combat the production and trafficking of narcotic
drugs and curtailing the flow of illicit drug more effectively;
4.
Underline the importance of effectively using international
financial assistance for the creation of alternative economic
opportunities in order to ensure a sustainable anti-drug policy;
5.
Call upon APA Asian Parliaments to enable civil society as an
effective partner of parliaments and to enhance the role of mass
media in combating drug trafficking in Asia;
6.
Encourage all APA member Parliaments to support their respective
governments in order to coordinate with international and regional
organizations including the United Nations (UN) to combat the
threats of international terrorism, illicit drug trafficking,
transnational organized crime and legalization of income derived
from criminal activity;
7.
Believe that a regular dialogue on supporting joint actions of
Asian governments against abovementioned threats within APA could
become an effective supplement for addressing the challenges of
international illicit drug trafficking and transnational organized
crime in the region;
8.
Express our commitment to encourage and enhance cooperation with
all relevant states and international and regional organizations,
on matters of common interest in the spirit of this resolution on
rendering assistance to combat illicit drug trafficking;
9.
Encourage networking of the relevant national agencies or
organizations in Asia dealing with transnational crimes to further
enhance information exchange and dissemination;
10.
Request the Secretary General to seek the views of all Member
parliaments on ways and means for effective implementation of this
resolution and prepare a report thereon to be considered by the
next meeting of the Standing Committee on Social and Cultural
Affairs.