16 November 2011

Antonio M. Costa at the House  of Lords

Inquiry into the EU Drugs Strategy (16 November 2011)

The Home Affairs Sub-Committee of the House of Lords Select Committee on the European Union has embarked on an inquiry into the EU drugs policies in the hope of influencing the new strategy for 2013-2020.

At the hearing, the Chairman of the Committee, Lord Hannay of Chiswick, has invited Antonio Maria Costa, Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in 2002-2010, to provide insights on the implementation of the current EU drug policies ,and how this past experience should affect the EU Commission in the preparation of the next (2013-2020) EU Drugs Strategy.

Follow the link to the House of Lords (Select Committee on the EU)

THE ECONOMICS OF CRIME

A discipline to be invented

and

a Nobel prize to be awarded

Antonio Maria Costa

Abstract:  In this statement I examine the many dimensions (socio- economic, political and strategic) of organized crime and insists on the fact that governments’ inability to deal with it, is the results of poor understanding of the ways crime operates, the power it has accumulated and the threat it poses to individuals and nations alike.

The current poor understanding of the problem of crime relates to inadequate research about it, lack of effective criteria to measure it and deplorable absence of reporting in a coherent manner – over time and across countries.  This statement will hopefully spur the world community overcome the knowledge gap and information deficit – so as to help governments take the necessary measures to counter organized crime. 

Stories of wolves, lambs and shepherd

Hearts, minds and conciences confronted by justice and compassion

Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan

Today I have decided to speak openly about my work over the past many decades in a variety of international institutions.  Why?  Because I see limits to what overstretched – even banckrupt public sectors can do, nowadays in their pursue of development, justice and security.  And therefore, through this academic institution, I plea for additional mobilization by voluntary associations, religious institutions, the private sector, the media, academicians and, generally, those able to influence young people like those in the audience.

Why make this plea at a Catholic University? Because in the background is Christ’s message to the expert in law, who asked Him how to inherit eternal life.  You recall the Saviour’s words:  learn from the Samaritan and do likewise. What a wonderful mission statement.

LANCET World Report

www.thelancet.com Vol 376 October 2, 2010

Drug crime and criminalisation threaten progress on MDGs

Interview with Antonio Maria Costa

·       International drug crime and the policies intended to tackle it are both threats to progress on health, human rights, and the Millennium Development Goals

Kelly Morris reports.

In preparation for the UN Millennium Development Goal (MDG) Summit, secretary-general Ban Ki-moon, declared on this year’s International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking that “we must recognise the major impediment to development posed by drug abuse and illicit trafficking”, and urged that: “our

work to achieve the MDGs and fight drugs must go hand-in-hand”.  

A crime that shames us all:  modern slavery

One of the worse crime today is human trafficking or, to call what it is, modern slavery.  The issue has moved up the political agenda.  It has caught the attention of the public, and those (media, celebrities) that shape it. This is most important:  success will not depend on bureaucrats, but on society’s willingness to fight modern slavery -- as it’s happening in equally titanic struggles to contain pandemics, manage the environment and cope with under-development.  What is needed now?

Bonding legal and operational initiatives against slavery

Rules of engagement (legal instruments) without a game (operations) are futile; a game without rules is chaos. With the help of a few questions, I’ll show that concrete operational measures will help countries meet the legal obligations agreed in internationl fora.  I’ll focus on (i) prevention, (ii) prosecution and (iii) protection.

Let me start with prevention.  Governments must establish an anti-slavery national strategy.  Ask whatever authority you deal with, these simple questions::

1.              In your campaigns with civil society, information and media, to warn potential victims of the dangers they face, have you linked up with global efforts to raise awareness and discouraged demand?

2.              Poverty, ignorance and lack of opportunity are not legal, but contextual conditions:  did you mobilize funds to alleviate the vulnerability of people?

3.              Law enforcement agencies run networks to exchange information on trafficking routes, traffickers’ and victims’ profiles:  did you plug into them?

4.              Did development institutions channel assistance to vulnerable regions/groups, and did intelligence agencies cooperate to stop transactions?

Regarding prosecution, governments must have enacted anti-trafficking laws.  Again, ask your authorities the following:

1.              While penalties must be congruent to the severity of the crime, was your judicial system up to the task, or did it need technical assistance?

2.              While distinguishing victims from criminals, did you mobilize international institutions specialized in the protection of women and children?

3.              Would have, coherence among specialized agencies, helped your country or countries source/destination of your victims, rendered your work easier?

Victim protection requires programs for their physical and social recovery.  Do ask your government the following:

1.       Your social workers cannot master the languages of victims coming from the four corners of the world:  did you use the specialized technology now in place to alleviate the suffering? Were these high-tech tools helpful?

2.              Rescued victims require visas, housing and resources to start a new life, as well as compensation.  Did you use specialized philanthropic services?

Governments’ role in fighting slavery it is crucial:  equally important iis the role of individual stakeholders – media and the private sector -- whose involvement and coordination is urgently needed. Thank you for your support and for your attention.

Youth and Drugs:

the temptation and the disillusion

published on line jointly by the Max Planck Institute and UNICRI

10 January 2011

I am glad to be given the opportunity to talk with young people about drugs, especially about the temptation to take addictive substances for fun or need, and the dis-illusion victims inevitably face – unable to overcome personal problems with a few grams of dope. 

I invite young people to exchange of views in a urbane and fruitful manner, in recognition of everybody’s good intentions.  This will help understand better a century-old scourge:  drug addiction and the crime associated to it, and what to do about both.

Many young people, radical as they are (should be?) before professional and family needs settle in, tend to militate in two opposing camps:  there are those who pursue a world free of drugs, and those who propose a world of free drugs.  The vast majority of youth however, tend to place themselves in between these two fringes, basing their views on common sense: