United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) was established in 1997 to coordinate UN policy on the highly interrelated issues of drugs, crime, and terrorism. deals with a broad range of issues worldwide. This year at VMUN, UNODC will be called on to formulate policy relating to two distinct but crucial areas of its mandate.

UNODC is an Advanced committee. While interested first-time delegates are encouraged to register for this committee, its topics are more challenging than other committees’ and less experienced delegates should be aware that they will need to perform significant research and prepare extensively. Position papers for this committee are mandatory, to aid the delegates in their preparation. (Remember that an additional Best Position Paper award will be presented!)

Topic A: Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling (Click to show summary)

Human trafficking and migrant smuggling affect every government and country across the globe, whether as a source of victims, country of transit, or destination. Technically speaking, while both human trafficking and migrant smuggling consist of the illegal transport of individuals across international borders, the former includes all forms of transporting individuals, possibly through coercion or deception, and whether supplying or receiving payment for any related purpose, while migrant smuggling includes only the crime of materially benefitting from aiding illegal entry to a country. Each year, thousands of families in vulnerable situations are ripped apart and put at the mercy of traffickers willing to their lives in jeopardy. One of UNODC’s roles is to implement and maintain the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea, and Air.

Currently, UNODC is aiding states in the drafting and implementation ofanti-trafficking law and strategy. For wider consumption, UNODC has created the Blue Heart Campaign, aiming to educate the public and inspire international leaders towards the plight of victims of human trafficking. Human trafficking and migrant smuggling are issues that need to be dealt with from all sides: political, legal, and social. A large part of the fight against these issues is the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC), which is the main international tool for fighting human trafficking and migrant smuggling. It contains three main protocols: the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons; the Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air; and the Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms. Countries must sign the convention before becoming parties to any of the protocols, and once a country has signed the convention and joined the protocols, it must commit itself to using certain measures to help combat transnational organized crime.

Throughout the world, the issues of human trafficking and migrant smuggling cannot be successfully beaten without wide support from countries worldwide. While many steps have been taken towards ending human trafficking and migrant smuggling, these issues are still prominent today, globally. These problems cannot only be combated at a global level, but must also be targeted at a local level.UNODC will need to fight the problems of human trafficking and migrant smuggling from all angles.

Topic B: Drug Trafficking – USA/Mexico (Click to show summary)

While drug trafficking is a truly global issue, international attention is mostly focused on the North American theatre, and at VMUN 2012 UNODC will deal primarily with that important region.

The ties between the United States and Mexico have become increasingly strong over the years, despite weak—at best—relations at Mexico’s inception. However, one of the main problems that plague this relationship is the illegal trade and smuggling of drugs from Mexico to the United States. Currently, the U.S. estimates that 90% of cocaine entering their territory country is transported through Mexico. Of course, other drugs are also transported, including marijuana and heroin: the industry generates billions of dollars annually. Because no state actors are in full agreement on how to deal, the issue of the Mexican drug pipeline is especially complex. While many individuals in the U.S. government believe that the U.S. should be taking corrective measures in Mexico for their inability to confront their drug cartels and corruption, Mexican officials blame the U.S. for failing to reduce demand north of the border. This huge issue has become part of every aspect of trade, societal, and diplomatic relations between the two countries and needs to be jointly combated for it to be defeated.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime is currently supporting debate on the issue, with input from countries worldwide. The UNODC also works with and distributes work to the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, a fifty-three member branch of ECOSOC, and the International Narcotics Control Board. The UNODC aids these bodies in their duties and commitments to the treaties. In addition, the United States, Mexico, and other relevant countries are individually implementing their own plans in order to combat drug trafficking in partnership with the UNODC. However, this problem must be met with a holistic approach and global cooperation.

This issue affects every area of the globe today. It is the responsibility of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to not only present an outline for the combating of Mexico-U.S. drug trafficking, but also to aid both countries in the development and improvement of their own measures. The nature of this issue is constantly changing, and it is a problem that needs to be met with a comprehensive approach. Countries will need to work together to ensure this problem is combated on local, regional, national, and international levels.

Backgrounders

Drug Trafficking: USA/Mexico

Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling

Isabel Wade | Director

Currently a senior at Crofton House School, Isabel served as the Assistant Captain of the Model UN Club in 2011 and is currently a Co-Captain. Isabel has participated in many conferences and notes the Joint Crisis Committee and Security Council as her favourite committees (apart from UNODC of course). She also served as USG of Marketing for ConnectMUN. Isabel also enjoys playing and coaching ice hockey, debating, and volunteering. Isabel looks forward to an engaging and enjoyable conference.

Joshua Chen | Chair

Joshua Chen is a student at Sentinel Secondary, but also a certified yoga teacher, an acclaimed music educator, a personal tutor, fond of Justin Bieber, a headband-wearer, and excited to be your chair for UNODC. His personality can be described as effervescent, excitable, and sharp. One can often find him stimulating his pituitary gland – through headstand, of course! He is superbly anxious to see what genius will come out of the delegates this year. Good luck, and let’s play.

Usman Taj | A-Director

Usman Taj is thrilled to AD-ing the UNODC this year. Having a healthy interest in cri-… er… the United Nations process to prevent crime, Usman is intrigued to see how delegates will fare in this new committee. Usman has attended the past two VMUN conferences and is perhaps most remembered for his cheeky remarks and paper ripping abilities. Usman is an avid soccer and cricket player, who also enjoys gushing over hockey stats (for his fantasy pool) and trivia (for no apparent reason). He looks forward to banging a gavel come January!

Kais Khimji | A-Director

Kais Khimji is a Grade 11 student at St. George’s and has attended the school since Grade 1. He is deeply involved in a variety of activities both inside and outside the classroom. Kais enjoys playing basketball, making pottery volunteering and has recently started his own web design company called Primitive Designs. Over the years, he has participated in several MUN related events and this will be his first year on the Dias. He looks forward to a successful and memorable experience at VMUN.

You can reach the dais at unodc@vmun.com. Any questions regarding the committee or its debate procedures will be answered by email. Your position papers should also be emailed to this address.