Statement
by
Indonesian Delegation
Before the Third Committee of the 59th Session of t
the United Nations General Assembly
on Agenda item 96:
“Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice "
and Agenda item 97 :
“International Drug Control "
New York, 11 October 2004
Mr. Chairman,
First of all, on behalf of Indonesian
Delegation, I would like to associate myself with the statement made
by the distinguished Representative of Malaysia on behalf of the Members
of the ASEAN.
Mr. Chairman,
Crime prevention and criminal justice
continue to be an urgent matter on the international agenda and Indonesia
joins the international community in enhancing and maintaining law
and order in the world. In this regard, we look forward to the 11th
United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice to
be held in Bangkok next year. This represents a significant step forward
in strengthening international responses to combat transnational organized
crime. We are ready to contribute actively on the discussion of substantive
items and workshops indicated in the agenda of the 11th UN Congress
towards ensuring its successful outcome.
Indonesia is keen that the final document of the Congress reflects
the regional perspectives and recommendations resulted from the regional
preparatory meetings for the UN Congress. The document should also
take into account the outcomes from related to crime prevention and
criminal justice, the Millennium Summit and other conferences at the
international and regional levels. The document should be comprehensive
and action-oriented in nature, and should lead to significant advances
in achieving our shared vision for the 21st century when implemented.
Mr. Chairman,
It is pertinent to recall the adoption of the UN Convention against
Transnational Crime and its Protocols in 2000 which provide a new
mechanism that will assist in harmonizing the actions of different
legal systems and will further strengthen international cooperation
and assistance. Taking yet another step in the right direction, last
year the General Assembly adopted the Convention against Corruption.
Our delegation is of the view that repatriating the assets derived
from corruption needs enhancement of international cooperation and
the political will of countries. It is our firm hope that these instruments
will enable us all to address crime prevention in a more holistic
manner, and put in place a series of transnational measures, that
create a firm foundation for a truly global response. The 11th UN
Congress in this regard will afford yet another opportunity for us
to assess the positive impact of the conventions.
Indonesia signed the Convention against
Corruption in New York, 18 December 2003, and is currently working
on the establishing a national action plan towards the implementation
and ratification of the UN Convention against Corruption. Indonesia
supports the work of the Ad Hoc Committee on the preparation towards
the convening of the first session of the Conference of the States
Parties to the Convention against Corruption. As our beacon towards
reform, we have also set up an anti-corruption commission and are
cooperating with our neighbours in preventing and combating corruption.
Mr. Chairman,
In approaching the 11th UN Congress, my delegation would like to recall
the fact that there is close a connection between international terrorism
and transnational organized crime, such as illicit drugs and money
laundering. In this regard, Indonesia believes that there is a need
to continue to enhance coordination of efforts on national, sub-regional,
regional and international levels in a comprehensive manner in order
to strengthen a global response to this serious challenge and threat
to international security.
In responding to the problem of money laundering, Indonesia has been
undertaking extensive measures to combat this crime as well as to
improve and strengthen institutional capacity and the legal infrastructure.
Aware of the intimate link between terrorism and money laundering,
Indonesia enacted the Anti-Money Laundering Act no. 15/2002 which
was recently amended by Law No. 25/2003. As a further response to
this challenge, our Government established the Indonesian Financial
Transaction Report and Analysis Center (IFTRAC/PPATK), an independent
financial intelligence unit, and a National Coordination Committee
(NCC) on anti-money laundering. The NCC is a Ministerial-level committee
formed to ensure coordination and cooperation between relevant Ministries
to combat money laundering. In addition, we encourage the active involvement
of the private sector in counteracting money laundering and in denying
terrorist organizations access to funding.
Mr. Chairman,
Of paramount importance in combating money laundering are the efforts
of Indonesia to pursue its commitment in the fight against narcotic
drugs. The Government of Indonesia is making drug control one of its
top priorities incorporating the issue into national policies, strategies,
and programs with ongoing plans being adjusted to include the goals
and approaches of the 20th UN General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS).
The rising trend of illicit drug abuse,
production and trafficking remain one of Indonesia’s most serious
problems and national concern. What is becoming more challenging is
the fact that Indonesia is no longer targeted as a mere transit country
but is considered a destination for the sale of illicit drugs and
production of synthetic drugs. During the past decade, drug abuse
has been on a sharp upward trend indicating a dramatic rise in the
number of drug users. Given the serious destructive consequences of
drugs to our young generation and its impediments to sustainable development,
our Government continues to apply severe punishment to the drugs dealers/traffickers.
Indonesia also established a central control agency in 2002 namely
National Narcotic Board of Indonesia, providing strong inter-sector
linkages between all relevant drug prevention and control sectors.
A concrete plan of action at the national level to implement political
decisions and declarations of the 20th Special Session has been formulated
by various task forces in the areas of prevention, treatment and rehabilitation,
law enforcement, and legal reform. In the same vein, a National Drug
and Food Control Agency was established in 2002 to regulate among
other chemical precursors.
It should also be realized that given
the scarcity of resources to fight the problem, the impact of drugs
problem in developing countries is, indeed, great. To give grounds
for some optimism in responding to the serious common concern at the
scope of this crime and its rapid growth, Indonesia appeals to all
Members of the UN to take drug control issues into their high priority.
The greater and the wider the commitment of society to drug control,
the greater the likelihood of success.
Mr. Chairman,
Turning to the issue of trafficking in persons, Indonesia attaches
great importance of regional processes in combating trafficking in
persons and people smuggling. In this respect, Indonesia is committed
to the implementation of the outcomes of Bali Process. Indonesia is
also in the final stage of ratification of the TOC Convention and
its Protocols on Trafficking in Persons and on Smuggling of Migrants.
Indonesia also participated in the work of the Conference of State
Parties of the TOC Convention held in Vienna last June, and continues
to support its work in the next sessions.
Mr. Chairman,
As a realization of commitments to enhance international law enforcement
cooperation, Indonesia recognizes mutual legal assistance (MLA) and
extradition arrangements to fight transnational organized crime and
terrorism. Bilaterally, Indonesia has established joint cooperative
legal frameworks such as entering into extradition and MLA treaties
with a number of countries. We are now working towards the establishment
of a national legislation on MLA in criminal matters, while supporting
the ongoing process of establishing a regional/sub regional MLA Treaty.
Indonesia fully supports any effort to increase cooperation that will
certainly strengthen Indonesia’s national capacity in combating
transnational crime. We also emphasize the need to strengthen the
role and partnership with the business community in the joint campaign
against terrorism within the framework of shared responsibility. We
underline the commitment of donor countries to assist partner governments
in fulfilling their international obligations relating to money laundering,
terrorist financing and other crimes, including through the provision
of technical assistance. I would also like to note the contribution
that has been made to that effort by the United Nations Office on
Drugs and Crime, that has played an important and necessary role in
supporting the elaboration and ratification of international legal
instruments.
Mr. Chairman,
To conclude, I would also like to reaffirm Indonesia’s consistent
support of the United Nations programmes and the strategy to prevent
and combat international crime. These are complex issues confronted
by our respective countries, and which threaten our common well-being.
We are confident that through continued and concerted action, success
lays ahead in the future.
I thank you.
