Key UNODC activities · key UNODC activities 73. UNODC is the guardian of several important interna-tional legal instruments relating to both drugs and crime. Besides facilitating

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A police officer examines heroin seized at a border checkpoint between Uzbekistanand AfghanistanPhoto: UNODC Uzbekistan

aaccttiivviittiieessKey UNODC

Research and analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72Convention support and legal advice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74Transnational organized crime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76Combating human trafficking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77Counter-narcotics and law-enforcement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79Combating money-laundering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80Fighting corruption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81Criminal justice reform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83Countering terrorism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84Drug abuse and HIV/AIDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85Sustainable livelihoods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87Scientific support for drug control activities . . . . . . . . . . . .88

UUNNOODDCC ANNUAL REPORT 2005

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UNODC is a repository of expertise on global drug andcrime problems and is well placed to monitor globaltrends. Drawing on a global network of specialists, itcollects, analyses and publishes information and dataon drugs and crime. UNODC maintains comprehensivedrugs databases, which contain the best data availableon cultivation, manufacture, price and yield, illicit pro-duction, trafficking and consumption. UNODC's authori-tative research reports are valued throughout the worldby experts and decision-makers. Its flagship publica-tions, such as the World Drug Report, receive extensivemedia coverage.

The comprehensive information provided by UNODChelps countries to formulate appropriate policies.UNODC technical assistance programmes help tostrengthen countries' capacity to prevent and reduceproblems created by drugs and crime by suggestingstrategic directions and mobilizing resources.

UNODC's World Drug Report 2005, published in June,showed that 200 million people, or one person in twen-ty between the ages of 15 and 64, were taking illicitdrugs. It estimated the value of the global illegal drugmarket at US$ 320 billion per year, a figure that ex-ceeds the individual gross domestic products (GDPs) of163 countries and is the equivalent of three-quarters ofthe total GDP of sub-Saharan Africa. The figure wouldbe much higher if the economic and social costs of drugabuse and crime were included.

International policy-makers recognize that drug controland crime-prevention policies can be effective onlywhen they have adequate information at their disposal.Through an established reporting mechanism, 125 gov-ernments returned questionnaires to UNODC on thedrug situation in their countries in 2005. The data willbe used to establish the latest estimates and trends, tobe presented in the World Drug Report in mid-2006.

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UNODC's data and analysis helped to create a betterunderstanding of how Afghanistan's US$ 2.7 billiondrug business buoyed up traffickers and warlords in2005, threatening the establishment of the rule oflaw in the country and the reconstruction of its legaleconomy. It highlighted the urgency of stamping outopium cultivation from prime drug-producing prov-inces like Helmand, Nangharar and Badhakshan tohelp Afghanistan and avert a global drug overflow.

The 2005 study Crime and Development in Africashowed that, while Africa had some of the world'shighest levels of crime, it also had the least availabledata. The study highlighted the importance of crimeas an obstacle to Africa's development.

UNODC and African governments followed up thestudy by launching a Programme of Action for thecontinent, which recognized the need to collect dataon drugs and crime as a priority. UNODC thereforedecided to design and launch the Data for Africaproject to help improve the continent's capacity todetect and monitor its drugs and crime problems.

UNODC undertook special studies on emerging problemsin 2005. New illicit markets studies analysed drugs andcrime in specific regions and their links with otherpolitical and socio-economic factors. Studies plannedfor 2006 included Crime and Development in CentralAmerica and the Caribbean (in collaboration with theWorld Bank) and Crime and Stability in the Balkansand Affected Countries.

Expanding the collection of data and information onvictims of crime through sample surveys is a priorityfor UNODC. Such data complement statistics compiledby police and courts at the national level to provide amore accurate picture of the nature and prevalence ofvarious forms of crime. These range from so-called“conventional" forms of crime, such as murder andtheft, to “new” categories covered by the recentlyadopted international conventions against transnational organized crime and corruption.

UNODC sent questionnaires to 191 governments in July for use in preparing the Ninth United Nations Survey on Crime Trends and the Operation of CriminalJustice Systems. In 2005, governments requested thatUNODC convene an international group of experts to recommend measures to improve international

research, data collection and analysis on crime. Thegroup, scheduled to meet in February 2006, should helpUNODC establish a stronger international crime moni-toring system.

The Illicit Crop Monitoring Programme continued its joint surveys with the governments of Afghanistan,Bolivia, Colombia, Laos, Morocco, Myanmar and Peru.The first stages of new coca surveys were launched inEcuador and Venezuela. Relying on a combination ofextensive fieldwork and analysis of high-resolutionsatellite imagery, the Programme has enabled the inter-national community to monitor closely trends in theglobal production of illicit opium and coca crops.UNODC can thus provide governments and donors withessential data for the planning and design of their alter-native livelihood and drug enforcement assistanceprogrammes.

Much less information is available on the cannabisproblem than on cocaine and heroin. Few countries sur-vey the extent of cannabis cultivation in their territory,with Morocco being one notable exception. Cannabisrepresents a significant drug control problem as it isconsumed by 160 million of the world's estimated 200million illicit drug users. Responding to governmentconcerns, UNODC began work on a study on the globalcannabis market, to be released in 2006.

key UNODC activities

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UNODC is the guardian of several important interna-tional legal instruments relating to both drugs andcrime. Besides facilitating policy-making, UNODC pro-motes the adoption and implementation of the threeinternational drug control conventions and instrumentson international crime, corruption and terrorism.

UNODC assists countries in incorporating internationalnorms into their domestic law so that these importanttools can be put to practical use. It advises States on allaspects of these conventions, from regulatory and pre-ventive measures and criminalization to enhancingcapacity for improved cooperation between States.

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UNODC organized and facilitated the negotiation of theUnited Nations Convention against Transnational Or-ganized Crime and its three Protocols—on trafficking ofpersons, smuggling of migrants and illicit manufactureof and trafficking in firearms—as well as the UnitedNations Convention against Corruption.

UNODC provided requesting States with legislative assi-stance (reviewing and amending legislation or draftingnew laws) and technical assistance (strengthening of in-stitutions, training of law-enforcement personnel) toenable them to become parties to these instruments. In2005, UNODC organized regional seminars for policymakers and legislative drafters on the ratification andimplementation of the Convention against Corruption. Italso hosted a regional non-governmental organization(NGO) crime-prevention forum in Vienna.

Both the new crime conventions have a follow-upmechanism, the Conference of the Parties, to reviewStates' progress in the implementation of these instruments. In 2005, the second meeting of theConference of the Parties to the Convention againstTransnational Organized Crime took place with support from UNODC.

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States require help with the adoption of laws, but po-lice, prosecutors and judges also need knowledge andtraining to implement the conventions. UNODC under-took over 50 advisory missions in 2005 to provide on-site operational support and legal assistance in interna-tional drug control, crime prevention, international co-operation and criminal justice reform and to increasethe application of internationally recognized standardsin those fields.

Highlights of that work included the organization ofstudy tours for over 1,200 prosecutors and judges from70 countries. Direct legislative advice to a broad rangeof developing countries resulted in the adoption of newlaws. Training workshops involving practical exercisesand case studies were held to enhance the skills of law-enforcement personnel.

Afghanistan received priority assistance to strengthenits fight against drug trafficking. It received legal adviceon drug control law, mutual legal assistance and theorganization of courts. UNODC assisted with the draft-ing of comprehensive legislation on drugs and relatedmatters.

There was also considerable focus on the develop-ment of assistance tools to enhance the capacity ofStates for international cooperation. A highlight of2005 was the launch of the “UNODC Mutual LegalAssistance Request Writer Tool" to assist investiga-tors, prosecutors and judicial authorities in preparing critical documents needed to seek assistance from other countries.

UNODC promotes United Nations standards and normsin crime prevention and criminal justice. These instru-ments cover a wide variety of issues such as juvenilejustice, the treatment of offenders, international cooper-ation, good governance, victim protection and violenceagainst women.


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UNODC poster to promote theConvention against Corruption

Recognizing that economic development is inextricablylinked with the rule of law, the Office assisted develop-ing countries, countries in transition and countriesemerging from conflict to adapt these standards andnorms to their national needs. UNODC contributedthrough a range of activities, such as advising on thereform of criminal justice systems, assisting with thedrafting of legislation, training judges, prosecutors andlaw-enforcement officials and developing tools such aspractice manuals and model laws.

In 2005, UNODC also organized expert meetings, which,bringing together expertise from different legal tradi-tions identified best practices in running an efficientand fair criminal justice system, as well as in fightingcrime more effectively.

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UNODC had the main responsibility for organizing theEleventh United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention

and Criminal Justice from 18 to 25 April 2005 inBangkok, Thailand. Some 2,370 participants, includingMinisters of Justice and other high-level officials, aswell as numerous NGO representatives and individualexpert observers, attended the meeting. The Congressworkshops were organized with the assistance of theInstitutes of the United Nations Crime Prevention andCriminal Justice Programme Network.

UNODC is the secretariat for the intergovernmental bodies that guide UNODC's work-the Commission on Narcotic Drugs and the Commission on CrimePrevention and Criminal Justice. The Commission on Narcotic Drugs is the central policy-making body within the United Nations system dealing with drug-related matters. It analyses the world drug situation and develops proposals to strengthen the international drug control system. The Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice sets out global strategies to prevent crime and promote stablecriminal justice systems.


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Transnational organized crime poses a serious threat todevelopment, peace and security, and human rights.Combating organized crime requires an all-out effort onmany fronts. UNODC provides technical assistance andsupport to Member States to curb organized crime,including drug and human trafficking. It collects anddisseminates information and data on trends in organ-ized crime, illicit drugs and human trafficking.

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To identify good practices in preventing and investigat-ing kidnapping offences, UNODC held two workinggroups of experts from around the world in 2005. Thisled to the production of a manual for policy-makers,police, judges and prosecutors, providing nationalauthorities with practical guidelines on how to dealwith kidnapping cases effectively, including preventionmeasures and investigation. It also highlights theimportance of adequate support and procedures toimprove international coordination and cooperation tocombat these offences. Training material was preparedto complement the manual.

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Witnesses, victims or not, are the cornerstone of inves-tigations and prosecutions. The United NationsConvention against Transnational Organized Crime callsupon States to protect persons who give testimony incriminal cases.

UNODC has begun developing guidelines of best prac-tices in witness protection, covering both legal andoperational aspects. The first, on legal issues, was heldin September 2005 in Vienna, followed in November bya regional meeting of Latin American States.

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UNODC has designed the Container Control PilotProgramme Project to assist governments in developingcountries to establish effective controls over the move-ment of sea containers across their borders. Criminalsand terrorists can easily exploit this method to smuggleillegal goods, since around 90 per cent of the world'scargo is shipped by container and more than 220 mil-lion sea containers move around the globe annually.The Container Control Project is being piloted at portsin Ecuador (Manta and Guayaquil) and Senegal (Dakar).Operational agreements were signed in 2005 with theGovernments and the establishment and training ofjoint customs and Port Police Interdiction Units havebegun. In partnership with the World CustomsOrganization, Ecuadorian officers were trained inNovember 2005.

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In Ghana, a conference took place in August on organ-ized crime and drug trafficking. This was the first timethat judges, prosecutors and law-enforcement officialsreceived training together. They made recommendationsregarding Ghana's laws and practice, bail proceduresand drafting of anti-money laundering legislation.

UNODC organized workshops in Peru on new investiga-tive techniques in which over 400 officials participated.It provided software and training on the use of data-bases for Peruvian police, prosecutors and judges tohelp them combat organized crime and organized aworkshop on mutual legal assistance and extradition.

In Guatemala, UNODC participated in a working groupof the Government and non-governmental organiza-tions (NGOs) to draft new anti-organized crime lawsthat include the use of special investigative techniques.

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UNODC is the guardian of the United Nations Protocolto Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons,Especially Women and Children, supplementing theUnited Nations Convention against TransnationalOrganized Crime. Since its adoption in 2000, theTrafficking Protocol has been the foremost legal instru-ment to counter the problem. It provides the legal andconceptual framework for tackling human trafficking asa criminal pursuit and contains the first internationallyagreed definition of this scourge. By December 2005, 95countries had become parties to the Protocol.

UNODC, through its Global Programme againstTrafficking in Human Beings, has been addressinghuman trafficking issues and providing assistance toStates since 1999. UNODC tackles the problem byaddressing not only the need to prosecute traffickersbut also to support and protect victims.

UNODC offers practical help to States in the form oflegislative and advisory services. This includes provid-ing assessments of the situation in a country, identify-ing local needs in addressing the issue and assisting inthe drafting of anti-human trafficking legislation.UNODC assists governments in developing comprehen-sive national strategies and the resources to implement

them. States receive specialized assistance such as thetraining of criminal justice officials and the design ofwitness protection schemes. In 2005, UNODC continuedtechnical cooperation projects in Asia, Africa, CentralEurope and Latin America. New projects, undertaken inpartnership with national governments, were initiatedin Slovakia, Moldova, Viet Nam and the Philippines.

UNODC monitors trends in human trafficking throughthe Global Programme and its 21 field offices. UNODC'sGlobal Database on Trafficking in Human Beings hashelped shed light on human trafficking trends.

UNODC has developedtools to help countries getto grips with the phenom-enon, including the publi-cation of a United Nationslegislative guide for use inboth common law andcivil law systems. In 2005,work was completed ontwo major informationresources, both of whichwill be published in 2006.UNODC developed an


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Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery. Victims areexploited in sweatshops, the sex industry and domestic servitude.(Photo taken from a UNODC video spot)


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Anti-Trafficking Toolkit of good practices and complet-ed a major report on human trafficking patterns thatwill provide information on the world's human traffick-ing “hot-spots". In 2006, the Global Database will beexpanded to include information on investigations,prosecutions and convictions.

UNODC, through its work across the criminal justicesector, has identified instances of human trafficking asonly one manifestation of extensive transnational crimenetworks. It works closely with international andregional, governmental and non-governmental organi-zations to prevent and combat human trafficking.Partner organizations include the Office of the UnitedNations High Commissioner for Human Rights, theUnited Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, theUnited Nations Children's Fund, the United NationsDevelopment Programme, the InternationalOrganization for Migration, the International LabourOrganization and Interpol.

In September 2005, UNODC convened a meeting ofinternational agencies to improve coordination and

develop a strategic response aimed at addressing thevulnerability of human trafficking victims to HIV/AIDS.UNODC funded victim-support projects run by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in India, Croatiaand Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Building on NGO support structures for victims of vio-lent crime, including victims of trafficking in persons,projects in nine countries (India, Indonesia, SouthAfrica, Uganda, Pakistan, Mexico, Ukraine, Moldovaand Thailand) offered emotional and practical support,legal aid, short-term counselling and referrals, withactivities ranging from establishing shelters for victimsto legal training for police and judiciary staff.

In 2005, UNODC conducted joint surveys with theUnited Nations Interregional Crime and Justice ResearchInstitute on trafficking in women for sexual exploita-tion in the Czech Republic, Poland and Romania. It alsocooperated with other agencies to produce human traf-ficking training modules for NATO military personneland a human trafficking reference guide for Canadianlaw-enforcement agencies.

UNODC helps States to strengthen their legislation and judicial procedures andimprove both the technical skills of law-enforcement agencies and data collectionon illicit drugs. It provides equipment tofront-line operations and promotes interna-tional cooperation. Law-enforcement train-ing manuals covering specialist subjects,such as criminal intelligence, undercoveroperations and surveillance, were publishedin 2005.

In 2005, under the UNODC Paris Pact initia-tive, three Round Table meetings focusingon Pakistan, Islamic Republic of Iran andSouth-Eastern Europe were held to promotea joint law-enforcement response amongstcountries affected by the trafficking ofAfghan opiates. The Paris Pact dates from2003, when 55 countries and organizationsagreed on concerted measures to limit thetrafficking of Afghan opium through Westand Central Asia, as well as Europe. The2005 meetings identified emerging traffick-ing routes, including the Iran-Iraq bordersthrough the provinces of Khozestan, Kermanshah andKurdistan, and the Turkish borders along the Black Seain the Samsun and Trabzon provinces.

UNODC provided training for Tajik border guards sta-tioned along their country's border with Afghanistanand supported the introduction of increased border con-trols in Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan. At the check-point between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan, controlswere upgraded with state-of-the-art equipment andtechnology. Throughout Central Asia, analytical andinformation exchange operations were strengthened.There was agreement on new controls over the cross-border movements in Central Asia of precursor chemi-cals needed for drug manufacturing. Work to link andharmonize precursor chemical control activitiesthroughout West and Central Asia began in 2005.

The regional Heads of National Drug Law EnforcementAgencies met to discuss cooperation in responding tocurrent and emerging illicit trafficking trends. Amongthe issues considered were the cocaine and herointhreats to Europe, witness protection and measures tocounteract new trends in the use of technology by drugtrafficking and organized crime networks.

Capacity-building for the Counter-Narcotics Police inAfghanistan continued. UNODC provided training indrug-law enforcement and the use of new equipment.This resulted in higher numbers of drug seizures. Freshfunding was also provided for an expanded intelligenceand analytical project of the Pakistani Anti-NarcoticForces.

Five Central Asian States—Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan,Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan—the RussianFederation and Azerbaijan participated in a UNODC ini-tiative to establish a Central Asia Regional Informationand Coordination Centre, which will strengthen theregion's law-enforcement response to illicit drug traf-ficking.

UNODC expanded its Computer-Based Training pro-gramme for law-enforcement professionals to newcountries. The programme is now well established inCambodia, China, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar,the Philippines, Thailand and Viet Nam as well as inTurkey, Fiji, Barbados, Jamaica and Nigeria. More than50,000 officials have been trained in more than 20countries.


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A police officer examines heroin seized at a border checkpoint between Uzbekistanand Afghanistan Photo: UNODC Uzbekistan


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UNODC's Global Programme against Money-Launderingwas established in 1997 to help Member States streng-then their legal systems and institutions to countermoney-laundering and the financing of terrorism, andto assist them in detecting and confiscating illicit pro-ceeds.

Illegal profits are the lifeblood of international criminalnetworks. Three United Nations Conventions are aimedat striking at the heart of these networks: the Conven-tion against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psycho-tropic Substances, dealing with proceeds of drug traf-ficking; the Convention against Transnational Organ-ized Crime, dealing with funds acquired through theproceeds of serious crime; and the Convention againstCorruption, which entered into force in December. TheConvention against Corruption makes the concealmentand laundering of money criminal offences. It includesmeasures to combat money-laundering and provides forstolen assets to be repatriated.

Together, these Conventions target the link betweenorganized crime, corruption and money-laundering,provide binding international legal frameworks and

reflect the commitment of the global community tofight these crimes.

Terrorists feed on international criminal networks. TheConvention for the Suppression of the Financing ofTerrorism requires Member States to take measures toprotect their financial systems from abuse by terroristsand helps them to do so.

States need to break the cycle of money-laundering inall its stages, from the placement of “dirty" money, todisguising its trail, to the so-called integration phasewhen all trace of its origins disappears, enabling crimi-nals to evade pursuit.

On behalf of a partnership of nine international organi-zations, UNODC developed the International Money-laundering Information Network (http://www.imolin.org),a one-stop research resource assisting governments,organizations and individuals in the fight againstmoney-laundering and the financing of terrorism.IMoLIN collects data and provides a wide range of toolsand information for professionals, including model laws.It also includes the Anti-Money laundering International

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UNODC developed theInternational Money-laundering InformationNetwork

Database of Legislation. The network has become a keyreference point in the daily work of policy-makers,lawyers and law-enforcement officers.

In 2005, UNODC provided legal and policy assistance toover 50 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and thePacific regions. UNODC's mentorship programme putsexperts from financial intelligence units, prosecutorsand law-enforcement officers to work side-by-side withcounterparts in target countries. Financial intelligenceunits are national agencies responsible for analysingpotentially suspect financial transactions and informingthe relevant authorities.

UNODC provided a mentor to the Philippines, whohelped remove the country from the Financial ActionTask Force's list of non-cooperative countries and terri-tories. In cooperation with the World Bank, UNODC alsoprovided mentors to countries in Central and South-East Asia.

UNODC delivered computer-based training for thosemost closely involved in fighting money-launderingaround the world—police, prosecutors, judges, customsofficials, the military, financial regulators and CentralBank personnel. Training centres have been established

in the Asia-Pacific region, East and West Africa andnew centres were planned in Latin America. Trainingmaterial was also being produced in the Arabic,Amharic and Russian languages. Mock trials were conducted in several Latin American countries.

UNODC continued to strengthen cooperation with other international organizations. In a joint initiativewith the International Monetary Fund, UNODC finalized an updated version of a model law on money-laundering and the financing of terrorism for civil law systems.

In the Caucasus, the Balkans and Central Asia, UNODC,in cooperation with the World Bank and the Organi-zation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE),conducted workshops for financial intelligence units. InCentral and Eastern Europe, UNODC and the OSCE helda conference for financial regulators from 17 countriesin June. In July and August, the Pacific islands of Palauand Samoa benefited from financial investigation train-ing provided by the Commonwealth Secretariat, thePacific Island Forum Secretariat and a UNODC mentor.In November, UNODC and the Egmont Group of Finan-cial Intelligence Units conducted training seminars inEast, West and southern Africa.


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2005 was a landmark year for UNODC because theUnited Nations Convention against Corruption, of whichit is custodian, entered into force on 14 December. Bythe end of the year, 34 States had ratified theConvention.

The immense threat posed by corruption was recognizedby world leaders when they gathered in New York inSeptember for a World Summit to commemorate the60th anniversary of the United Nations. They unani-mously declared that the fight against corruptionshould be a priority.

The Convention is the first global, legally bindinginstrument in the fight against corruption. It calls forpreventive measures and the criminalization of the mostprevalent forms of corruption. It creates a platform forpolice, prosecutors and judges to cooperate in arrestingoffenders and to extradite them to their home countries.

Tough new asset recovery measures—the first of theirkind—require States to return money and other assetsobtained through corruption to the country from whichthey were stolen.

UNODC provides expert assistance to help countries inbuilding the institutions needed to fight corruption. Ithas created a handbook on implementation for eachsection of the Convention against Corruption as a prac-tical guide for policy-makers.

UNODC conducted a workshop in Bulgaria on monitor-ing corruption to prepare the country to accede to theConvention. Similar events were planned, in coopera-tion with the United Nations Development Programme,in Eastern Europe and former Soviet Union countries.

UNODC undertook several important projects to streng-then the judiciary in 2005. Recognizing that an effec-tive judiciary can function only if proper managementsystems with built-in checks and balances are in place,UNODC launched a US$ 28 million programme to sup-port Nigeria's economic and financial crime commissionand the national judiciary.

In South Africa and Indonesia, UNODC helped to coor-dinate action plans to increase integrity in the justicesystem and boost the confidence of citizens in the judi-ciary. Public defenders, police officials and criminal jus-tice personnel were trained to recognize and punish

corruption. UNODC worked with Brazil to improve itscapacity to cope with increasingly sophisticated formsof corruption.

UNODC was the driving force behind an important newinitiative, the Judicial Integrity Group, which is com-posed of Chief Justices both from the developing anddeveloped countries.

Based on the concept of judges working for judges, theGroup worked to prepare a commentary on the so-called “Bangalore Principles" of judicial conduct.UNODC will help to ensure that these principles becomeinternationally accepted standards by assisting ChiefJustices in preparing for the 2006 session of the UnitedNations Commission for Crime Prevention and CriminalJustice.

UNODC organized training programmes for officials inSenegal, Argentina and Egypt on how to investigateand prosecute corruption cases and ensure effectiveconclusions. In Nigeria and Kenya, assessments wereundertaken on asset looting and money-laundering tohelp these countries develop effective policies on therecovery of stolen assets.

UNODC developed a joint project with the UnitedNations Industrial Development Organization on cor-ruption prevention for small- and medium-size enter-prises.

On 9 December, UNODC carried out a worldwide aware-ness-raising campaign on the theme You can stop cor-ruption to mark the second International Day againstCorruption.

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Poster for the You can stop corruption campaign

In 2005, UNODC made significant efforts tostrengthen its Criminal Justice ReformProgramme. It placed particular emphasis oninter-agency coordination in the areas of juve-nile justice and societies emerging from conflictor in transition. It developed projects targetingthe most vulnerable groups, including children,women and prisoners with HIV/AIDS.

Strengthening the rule of law, particularly inpost-conflict and transitional societies, is now apriority for the entire United Nations system.UNODC is increasingly recognized as a keyplayer in this field.

In 2005, UNODC focused on expanding itswork in the area of criminal justice. It gavesupport and advice to field offices, developedmanuals, tools and training material to enhancepolicy advice and technical assistance andshared UNODC expertise within the UnitedNations system.

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UNODC expanded the capacity of its field office net-work in criminal justice, increasing the number of field-based criminal justice projects from 8 to 15. The the-matic areas covered were also broadened to includealternatives to imprisonment, child victims, violenceagainst women, post-release options for women prison-ers and court management. Assessment missions wereconducted in Jordan, the Palestinian AutonomousAreas, Brazil, Nigeria, Afghanistan and the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya.

A global project to build the capacity of non-govern-mental organizations (NGOs) to support victims of vio-lent crime, including human trafficking, was imple-mented. Selected NGO initiatives were funded in India,Indonesia, South Africa, Uganda, Pakistan, Mexico,Ukraine, Moldova and Thailand to offer victims practi-cal support, basic legal aid and counselling.

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UNODC developed a series of tools and manuals forcriminal justice personnel and policy makers. Theseincluded a toolkit on HIV/AIDS prevention, care and

support in prisons, a handbook on alternatives toimprisonment, a manual for law-enforcement officerson violence against women and a handbook on restora-tive justice. UNODC also worked on developing tools toimplement the recently adopted Guidelines on Justice inMatters Involving Child Victims and Witnesses ofCrime.

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In cooperation with the United Nations Department ofPeacekeeping Operations (DPKO) as well as UnitedNations agencies, UNODC is developing a set of detailedcriminal justice assessment tools to assist UnitedNations agencies and Member States in reforming crim-inal justice systems. The Office conducted criminal jus-tice assessment missions in countries where peacekeep-ing operations were in place (Liberia, Guinea-Bissau,Haiti and the Democratic Republic of the Congo). AsChair of the Inter-Agency Panel on Juvenile Justice,UNODC developed a number of tools, including a set ofcommon indicators, accompanied by an implementationmanual, a publication on best practices in technicalassistance and a website.


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UNODC is helping to raise standards in Afghanistan’s antiquated prisonsPhoto: UNODC Afghanistan/Zalmai


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UNODC focuses on strengthening the international legalframework to respond to terrorism. It offers practicalhelp to States in the form of legislative and advisoryservices.

UNODC has developed technical assistance tools toassist countries in their work against terrorism. Theseinclude a legislative guide to the universal anti-terror-ism conventions and protocols, a checklist of offencesset forth in the 13 universal anti-terrorism instruments,a model law on extradition and a counter-terrorism leg-islative database.

UNODC assists countries in complying with their inter-national legal obligations and ratifying all of the legalinstruments against terrorism which Member States ofthe United Nations have negotiated since 1963. Thenext step is to help them integrate the provisions ofthose instruments into their national legislation and toapply them at the working level through judges, prose-cutors and law-enforcement officials.

Since the launch of its global project “Strengtheningthe Legal Regime against Terrorism” in 2003, UNODChas supported more than 110 countries either directly orindirectly - through bilateral assistance missions orregional workshops - in ratifying and implementing thelegal instruments. In 2005 alone, nine regional and sub-regional workshops were organized involving 71 coun-tries, while 35 countries received direct technical assis-tance from UNODC. Its efforts led to a significantimprovement in the status of ratifications. By the end

of December, 75 countries had ratified 12 universalinstruments, compared with just 26 at the start of 2003.UNODC's counter-terrorism work was expanded toinclude promoting the ratification and implementationof the thirteenth instrument against terrorism, whichthe General Assembly of the United Nations adopted inApril 2005 - the International Convention for theSuppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism.

An important objective for UNODC is to build upnational expertise on counter-terrorism issues. Specialefforts are therefore being made to increase the pres-ence of experts in the field to provide specialized advice on anti-terrorism measures.

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More people than ever, many of them young, are abus-ing drugs and as a result are at risk of HIV infection.UNODC promotes comprehensive measures rangingfrom drug abuse prevention, treatment and counsellingto treatment of sexually transmitted infections, anti-retroviral therapy and strategies for high-risk groupssuch as prisoners and sex workers who inject drugs.

UNODC launched a yearlong campaign for 2005: Value yourself ... make healthy choices. It called onyoung people around the world not only to say no todrugs but also to choose healthy lifestyles involvingsports, music, theatre and other positive activities.

UNODC's Global Youth Network project aims to increaseyouth involvement in developing drug abuse preventionpolicies and programmes. Among the most importantachievements in 2005 was the creation of six regionalnetworks in South Asia, South-East Asia and thePacific, Central America and Mexico, South America,East Africa and Russia and Belarus. These involve morethan 500 organizations from over 50 countries workingon prevention of substance abuse among young people.The networks work to adapt internationally accepted

good practices to meet regional needs. Training wasprovided for journalists to raise awareness of their role in promoting the health and well-being of youngpeople.

The Global Youth Network created a set of easy-to-usetools for preventing drug abuse. Covering areas such asthe specific needs of young people from ethnic andindigenous minorities, the use of sport and peer-to-peertechniques, these guides are increasingly being adoptedby UNODC's non-governmental organization (NGO) andgovernment partners.

UNODC's Global Assessment Programme helps to buildthe capacity of States to collect and analyse data ondrug abuse and trafficking. In recent years, 49 countrieshave undertaken national surveys of drug use amongschoolchildren as well as of demand for treatment andHIV-related issues.

UNODC made considerable efforts in 2005 to addressdrug abuse and HIV/AIDS in Africa. In Egypt, it reached more than 13,000 young people with aware-ness-raising campaigns. In South Africa, a new


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Pictures taken from a UNODC video spot on HIV/AIDS and drug abuse


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National Drug Awareness and School Education Pro-gramme was launched in schools. It emphasized therelationship between drug abuse, risky sexual behaviourand HIV/AIDS.

Given the strong demand for internationally recognizedgood practices and minimum standards of care, UNODClaunched an international network of drug-dependencetreatment and rehabilitation resource centres capable ofdelivering effective services. It worked on developing atraining package in collaboration with treatment centresand providing on-site training for key staff.

UNODC supported country responses to HIV/AIDS amongprisoners and as it relates to human trafficking. UNODCis the lead United Nations agency for HIV/AIDS preven-tion and care directed at these two vulnerable groups.

As chair of the UNAIDS Committee of CosponsoringOrganizations until the end of June, UNODC high-lighted the need for HIV/AIDS prevention and care targeted at injecting drug users and prisoners. In April, UNODC organized a ministerial meeting inMoscow which adopted the Moscow Declaration on an Urgent Response to the HIV/AIDS epidemics in theCommonwealth of Independent States. The meeting

contributed to significant changes in HIV/AIDS-relatedpolicies in a number of countries, such as new types oftreatment and increased budgets. UNODC marshalledfunds to help countries in Central Asia respond to theirgrowing HIV/AIDS problem.

2005 witnessed a significant increase in the awareness-raising work of UNODC on HIV/AIDS and drug use. Itsflagship publication, the World Drug Report 2005, fea-tured a chapter on the subject which concluded that theuse of drugs, whether injected or not, increased thedanger of HIV infection because of their capacity toinduce risk-taking sexual behaviour.

During the March session of the Commission of Nar-cotics Drugs (CND), Peter Piot, Executive Director ofUNAIDS, chaired a debate on Preventing HIV/AIDS andother blood-borne diseases in the context of drug abuseprevention. This was the first time that the CND hadtaken up the issue of HIV/AIDS.

UNODC produced practical guides for policy makers and health professionals on drug abuse prevention,treatment and rehabilitation, as well as on HIV preven-tion, and guidelines on substance abuse treatment forwomen.

UNODC focuses on providing alternative economic andemployment opportunities to poor farmers dependenton drug crops to survive. It helps Member States todesign appropriate policies and programmes.

The impact of UNODC programmes continued to behigh in 2005. The cultivation of illicit crops declined inkey areas, notably Afghanistan, the Andean region,Myanmar and Laos.

However, alternative development programmes reachonly some 10 to 15 per cent of farmers engaged in illic-it coca cultivation and even fewer of those who growillicit opium poppy. The rapid gains made in eradicationover the past decade could come undone if povertydoes not abate. Food security and income generationprogrammes need to be strengthened to support farmerscourageous enough not to plant illicit crops.

UNODC illicit crop monitoring surveys provide govern-ments and donors with essential data for planningalternative livelihood and drug enforcement program-mes. In 2005, surveys were conducted in Afghanistan,Bolivia, Colombia, Peru, Laos, Myanmar and Morocco.

UNODC worked to raise awareness of the links between illicit crop cultivation and drug crime and to include crime prevention as a factor in promotingdevelopment. This means striking the correct balancebetween eradication and development and paying close attention to the key roles of law-enforcement and demand reduction. Conflict and instability in areas where illicit crops are grown were a continuingproblem.

In 2005, UNODC undertook a thorough evaluation ofthe alternative development work done by internationalorganizations and Member States. The resulting report,Alternative Development: A Global Thematic Evalu-ation, was presented at the annual session of the Com-mission on Narcotic Drugs. It assessed the overall im-pact of alternative development on both human devel-opment and crop reduction and outlined best practicesin those areas.

In response to Member States' concerns about cannabiscultivation, UNODC began to focus on issues related toalternative development projects in cannabis-producingcountries, particularly in Africa and Asia.


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Cultivating orchids for medical purpose, Laos, 2005 Photo: UNODC Laos/P. Ackermann


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No government can hope to implement an effectivedrug control strategy without highly trained drug ana-lysts and an appropriate level of scientific support.National laboratories and other scientific institutionsmust provide forensic expert services as required bynational legislation and the international drug controlframeworks and treaties. Since 1954, the United Nationshas been providing governments with scientific supportfor drug control, including technical assistance andtraining of drug analysts.

UNODC acts as a focal point for coordinating scientificadvice and support for national, regional and interna-tional activities. Its work is to ensure that national lab-oratories can provide reliable data for use in court tosupport drug treatment efforts and intelligence-ledapproaches to law-enforcement, for improving theknowledge base on illicit drug manufacture, traffickingand abuse, and for research and policy-making.

Combating illicit drug production, trafficking and abusepresents major scientific challenges. Harried and under-resourced police and customs authorities, often workingin remote locations, must have access to the tests andexpert advice that enable them to rapidly detect drugsand the precursor chemicals used to manufacture them.Laboratories are an important weapon in the fightagainst illicit drugs; they can identify suspect materials,

pinpoint clandestine manufacturing techniques and thesource of seized drugs, and help identify emerging drugtrends.

Drug analysts increasingly come up against new andmore complex drugs and precursor chemicals. There is aneed for a wide range of methods to identify and meas-ure suspicious materials. UNODC is the key source forsuch pure reference standards. In 2005, 150 nationallaboratories received technical information, materialsand guidelines. More than half of all African countriesreceived scientific assistance from UNODC. In addition,UNODC satisfied a growing demand for quality-assur-ance support by assisting 120 laboratories worldwide.

Demand for drug-testing methods and guidelines hasrisen sharply around the world, including in the RussianFederation and Central Asian countries. UNODC pro-duced three new technical publications in 2005 to keeppace with the need for up-to-date analytical methods,procedural approaches and guidelines for drug and pre-cursor identification and analysis.

The safe handling and disposal of chemicals used inillicit drug manufacture emerged as an important newarea for which scientific support was required during2005. Practical guidelines were prepared for law-enforcement and other personnel who need to dispose

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Drug and precursortest-kits

of chemicals seized, often in remote locations, or in sit-uations where no adequate chemical waste managementsystems are available.

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In 2005, UNODC continued to produce and distributedrug and precursor field test-kits and provided trainingon their use. New tests were developed for the rapidfield detection of chemicals used for heroin processingwhich are not under international control. In 2005, 254drug and precursor test-kits were requested by law-enforcement authorities in 15 countries. Kits were madeavailable to Afghanistan and the Central Asian coun-tries to help them identify controlled and uncontrolledchemicals being used to extract morphine from opiumand to convert morphine into heroin.

Identification is the first step in the investigation andcontainment of heroin production as part of an overallchemical-control strategy. Thanks to UNODC's new fieldtest-kit, the Counter-Narcotics Police of Afghanistanidentified uncontrolled chemicals being used for heroinprocessing. While this was the first time that such chem-

icals had been positively identified, it is likely that thosesubstances are also being used elsewhere in the region.

In 2005, UNODC, together with the Russian FederalDrug Control Services and the Commonwealth ofIndependent States (CIS), developed proposals to buildsustainable scientific forensic services in Russia and theCIS countries.

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Expert scientific guidance and advice are becoming anintegral part of policy development and analysis.UNODC cooperates with scientists and resource labora-tories worldwide to ensure the further development,transfer and application of scientific standards in orderto widen the availability of high-quality laboratoryservices, scientific support and data.

As demand for scientific guidance on crime-relatedmatters is increasing, UNODC has started to exploreways to develop scientific support activities for othertypes of crime, in addition to its work in the drugsfield.


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Documents

Key UNODC activities · key UNODC activities 73. UNODC is the guardian of several important interna-tional legal instruments relating to both drugs and crime. Besides facilitating