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Statement by New York, 10 October 2005
Mr. Chairman, Allow me to begin by expressing deepest condolences and sympathy to the Governments and people of Pakistan, India and Afghanistan on the great loss of life suffered as a result of the powerful earthquake over the weekend. In many respects, this is an opportune moment in time for us to assemble and discuss issues pertaining to crime prevention and criminal justice as well as international drug control. Our meeting is even more relevant in the wake of the hideous and cowardly terrorist attacks against peaceful Bali recently. Indonesia appreciates the continued support and sympathy of the international community. Such support has had a positive impact on the unity of the country and has energized it to take effective steps to investigate and apprehend the perpetrators who will feel the full weight of the law. At the same time, such heinous terrorist acts also draw our attention to the urgent need for international cooperation to effectively address this problem. Mr. Chairman, It is absolutely clear that if we continue doing the same things in the present and future we shall get the same results of the past. We have long recognized the need for greater cooperation at all levels to effectively combat transnational crime. We are all sovereign states with our own independent legal and judicial systems cannot be denied but criminals, operating in different states, have been able to combine their efforts through the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to create global empires thriving on drugs trafficking, human trafficking, money laundering, corruption and a host of other social ills. They have been able to put into effective practice the principle of unity creating strength. When escaping from the law, they seek safe haven in any part of the world. In the meantime, Member States, though committed to the principle of multilateralism, continue to experience difficulties cooperating to share strategic information, to engage in institutional capacity-building, to support one another in law enforcement matters, in training, and to implement extradition measures. There is, however, greater collaboration to deal with terrorists. For Indonesia, which has fallen victim to terrorism yet again, this is critically important. Our nation is firmly committed to the principle of cooperation. We recognize that it is the only means whereby transnational criminal empires and ruthless terrorist networks can be dismantled so that they do not negatively impact development. This is the approach envisioned and endorsed by the Millennium Declaration, the World Summit Outcome of the High-level Plenary Meeting of the current General Assembly and the 11th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice held in Bangkok last April. Our position is made clear by actions taken both at the international and regional levels but particularly at the national level. Indonesia is a signatory to the Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its two Protocols as well as the Convention against Corruption. However, even as Indonesia takes steps to ratify the Convention against Transnational Crime, the reality is that all aspects of the Convention are observed in the routine daily legal practice of the nation. In both instances, the conventions require collaboration among Member States to fight criminal enterprises involved in money laundering, corruption and obstruction of justice, among other things. As part of Indonesia’s drive to combat corruption, a critical presidential instruction was issued on 9 December 2004. This instruction approved a five-year national action plan (2004-09) to deal with the problem. In addition to that, Indonesia has established two anti-corruption teams – the Joint National Team to Eradicate Poverty and the Investigative Team on Suspected and Actual Perpetrators of Corruption. Because it is being drawn unwillingly
into the dark world of illegal drugs and more of its young people
are becoming enticed into using them, Indonesia has intensified its
struggle against drug trafficking but it is also taking additional
steps to deal with other forms of transnational crimes, such money
laundering, and human trafficking. As an indication of its effectiveness
in dealing with money-laundering, Indonesia has been removed from
the Non-Cooperative Countries and Territories (NCCT’s) list.
But there are still residual technical issues being addressed relative
to Indonesia’s removal from the list. In safeguarding the national environment, Indonesia has allowed international and regional standards and norms to help shape its legislative and policy environment, being ever mindful of the specifics of domestic challenges. National countermeasures are comprehensive and are being implemented by the relevant agencies and community-based organizations. Not only do we draw on the expertise and commitment of civil society but we engage the private sector in our determination to stamp out corruption and computer crimes. Mr. Chairman, The fight against transnational crime is a shared responsibility requiring State and organizational inputs. Indonesia is fully aware that only a united, committed and seriously involved international community will be able to legally restrain those who put profit before people and use illegal means to achieve their goal. We stand with those who condemn and actively oppose criminal networks across the globe. I thank you.
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