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Statement by Mr. LI Zhiqiang of the Chinese Delegation at the Third Committee of the 71st Session of the General Assembly on Drug Control, Prevention of Crime and Criminal Justice

2016-10-06 11:24

Madam Chairperson,

At present, while the international community has made progress in crime prevention, criminal justice, fighting transnational crime and drug control, it also faces daunting challenges. It needs to step up cooperation and joint responses. In this connection, the Chinese delegation wishes to make the following comments:

First, all countries need to effectively implement the Doha Declaration of the 13th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice and promote the rule of law and equitable justice. The international community needs to intensify efforts to respond to the various types of new crimes, not least cybercrime and transnational telecom frauds. China supports the GGE on Cybercrime in carrying out its work and actively exploring the possibility of developing within the framework of the UN an international legal instrument of widely recognized authority and universal representation, thus laying the legal foundation for cooperation in fighting cybercrimes. China wishes to thank the countries concerned for the assistance in fighting transnational telecom frauds. China supports efforts to vigorously address such problems as wildlife crimes and illicit trafficking in cultural property.

Second, in order to eliminate corruption to the maximum extent possible, all countries need to observe the principles of zero tolerance, zero loophole and zero obstacle, effectively implement the UN Convention against Corruption, reinforce bilateral and multilateral cooperation, provide the broadest possible mutual cooperation and assistance, eliminate the political and legal obstacles to crossborder hunting for fugitives and recovery of ill-gotten gains, and refuse to become havens for the corrupt and their assets. The Convention compliance review provides a useful platform for promoting the implementation of the Convention, exchanging experiences and strengthening capacity-building. In conducting the second cycle reviews, it is expected of all parties to strictly follow the principles and rules of the review mechanism, including respect for the sovereignty of the States Parties and non-interference in internal affairs, and find ways to improve efficiency. While the NGOs have a role to play at the domestic level in promoting the implementation of the Convention, the review mechanism shall remain, in terms of its nature, an intergovernmental process.

As the current Presidency of the G20, China vigorously advocates international cooperation against corruption by pushing for the formulation of the “High-Level Principles on Cooperation on Corruption Fugitives and Related Asset Recovery” and the G20 “2017-2018 Anti-Corruption Action Plan”. We have also established in China a research center for fugitive and asset recovery, thereby successfully constructing a three-pronged cooperative structure against corruption composed of principles, mechanisms and actions.

Third, China takes seriously the important role of the Convention on Transnational Organized Crime and its related Protocols and looks forward to the success of the Eighth Session of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention. All parties should make more proactive efforts to apply the Convention, using it as the legal basis for judicial assistance, extradition and cooperation in recovering ill-gotten gains. China supports developing an appropriate, practical and efficient compliance review mechanism and is of the view that it should draw on the model, principles and experience of the review mechanism of the Convention against Corruption, uphold the intergovernmental, non-invasive and non-punishing nature of the review, and prioritize such issues as international cooperation, recovery of assets and technical assistance as the priority and foci of the compliance review.

Fourth, in the years to come, the international community should focus its drug control efforts on implementing the outcome document of the Special Session of the GA on the Drug Problem. China supports the international drug control system with the three anti-drug conventions as its cornerstone and opposes legalizing drugs in any way, shape or form. China supports the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, the UNODC and the INCB in playing their leading roles in drug control according to their respective mandates and is not in favour of any practice that might affect or undermine their status or roles. In controlling drugs, it is necessary not only to safeguard and promote human rights, but also to take into account the peace and security, wellbeing and common interests of the whole society. Countries are entitled to, in compliance with the three related drug conventions, formulate drug control policies, including criminal justice policies, that best suit their specific national circumstances. China objects to link the abolition of the death penalty with the question of drug control. The international community should pay attention both to the lack of essential drugs prevailing in some countries, and to the medical abuse, overuse and illegal diversion of controlled substances in certain other countries. China calls on the WHO and the Commission on Narcotic Drugs to strengthen coordination, improve regulation efficiency, take a holistic and objective look at the risks and hazards of drug abuse, as well as the medicinal value of drugs, and address more effectively such new types of psychoactive substances as ketamine. Under the principle of “shared responsibilities”, countries are expected to help developing countries, through such means as financial assistance, technical cooperation and information sharing, to strengthen their capacity building in a joint effort to tackle the challenges posed by drugs.

Thank you, Madam Chairperson.

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