The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) assists Member States in their efforts to combat illicit drugs and international crime. Over the past two decades, the UNODC Regional Office for South Asia(ROSA) has been working with governments and civil society in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka, providing specialized assistance to address challenges pertaining to drugs, organised crime, security, justice and health. The commitment to Sustainable Development Goals, human rights and the rule of law is at the core of our mandate.
At the first BIMSTEC Conference on "Combating Drug Trafficking" held in New Delhi on 13-14 February, UNODC convened a session on “Drug Trafficking and Darknet-Courier and Postal Interdictions”. Discussions focused on the misuse of the darknet and social media for drug trafficking, and the need for stronger intelligence/information sharing platforms. Organised by the Narcotics Control Bureau, the Conference was inaugurated by Home Minister of India, Mr. Amit Shah and attended by diplomats and senior officials from BIMSTEC nations. UNODC’s expertise in capacity building and research was highlighted by the participants.
Bhutan: Anti-Human Trafficking Awareness through Videos
On 28 February, the Home Minister of Bhutan His Excellency Sherub Gyeltshen and Home Secretary Dasho Sonam Topgay launched interactive animations on Human Trafficking developed by UNODC, in the presence of Special Task Force members and senior government officials. The videos will be used for focused anti-trafficking awareness programs across Bhutan.
The Maldives: Fostering Prison Reforms
In February, UNODC experts conducted a pre-assessment of the Maafushi prison to support the Maldives Corrections Service. The visit was part of an inception mission to strengthen prison reforms in the Maldives through inmate classification, infrastructure and staff capacity building, as well as the rehabilitation of violent extremist prisoners.
India: Mock Trial Training for Law Enforcement Officials
UNODC, in partnership with the Rajasthan Police Academy, organized a Mock Trial training workshop on strengthening prosecution and conviction in cases of Trafficking in Persons, at Jaipur from 17-19 February. 50 Anti-Human Trafficking nodal persons from across the State and prosecutors from State Legal Services Authority participated in the training programme. Police officers role-played simulations on interview techniques, prosecution and defence to enhance their understanding of evidential issues.
Bhutan: Developing National Strategies to counter trafficking
In February, UNODC facilitated a 2-day Multi-Stakeholder Workshop in Thimphu on the “Development of National Prevention Strategy on Trafficking in Persons in Bhutan”. Discussions focused on the National Prevention Strategy on countering human trafficking. A 5-day consultation was also convened in Paro with members of the Special Task Force to deliberate on the National Prevention Strategy. The Strategy is expected to lead to a clear action plan that will help prevent human trafficking in Bhutan.
Sri Lanka: Strengthening Multi-Stakeholder Action to Counter Trafficking in Persons
From 24-28 February, a 5-day Training of Trainers workshop on using UNODC’s 'Training Toolkit on countering Trafficking in Persons' was held in Colombo. The focus of discussions was on training methodology, international and national legal framework and group exercises for officials of the National Police Academy of Sri Lanka. Validated by senior police officials, the ‘Anti-Trafficking in Persons Training Toolkit’ contains specialized modules for law enforcement officials based on their specific functions and applicable laws and procedures in Sri Lanka. In addition, it has modules covering international legal framework, and international best practices related to victim assistance and protection.
Bangladesh: Strengthening
Partnerships in Cox's Bazar
In February, UNODC undertook a mission to Cox's Bazar. Meetings were held with counterparts from UNHCR, UNDP and the Bangladesh Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commission, with the aim to foster collaboration to enhance the capacity building component of GLO.ACT Bangladesh.
Bhutan: Fostering Regional
Cooperation
UNODC South Asia Representative Mr. Sergey Kapinos called on the Honourable Foreign Minister of Bhutan Dr. Tandi Dorji in February. Their discussions focused on strengthening cooperation on addressing drug use, trafficking in persons and promoting security, justice and health in the region.
Nepal: Enabling Prison Reforms through joint UN responses
UNODC and UNOPS conducted a joint visit to two prisons and courthouses in Pokhara and Chitwan on 17-21 February. The aim was to develop a framework to strengthen the capacity of the Government of Nepal and civil society partners. This is envisaged through the improvement of prison infrastructure and management, reintegration of offenders, capacity building and creating enhanced multi-agency coordination and policy development on crime prevention and criminal justice for existing courts and prisons in Nepal.
The first mock trial training workshop for judicial officers was held from 21-23 February in Negombo, Sri Lanka with the collaboration of Sri Lanka Judges’ Institute and 36 High Court judges participated. Participants actively engaged in the mock-trial, playing roles of the victim, witnesses, defense counsel, prosecutor and panel of judges. Using a case study based on real-life scenarios, participants discussed various conceptual, evidential and procedural issues. Discussions also focused on the Victim and Witness Protection legislation in Sri Lanka.
UNODC hosted the launch of the INCB Annual Report 2019 in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Public Administration, Government of India on 27 February in New Delhi. The launch coincided with the global launch of the report in Vienna. Mrs. Jagjit Pavadia, Member, INCB presented the key findings of the report, in the presence of key stakeholders and supporters from foreign missions, government, civil society, media and academia. Senior representatives from the Narcotics Control Bureau, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC) and India HIV/AIDS Alliance also shared their views on the report.
On 22 February, UNODC South Asia Representative Mr. Sergey Kapinos and Deputy Representative Dr. Suruchi Pant called on the Minister of Home Affairs, Government of the Maldives at the High Commission of the Maldives in New Delhi. In the discussions, UNODC emphasized the need for stronger cooperation on addressing drugs, prison reforms and capacity building of Maldives Police, and other areas.
India: Data Collection to Combat Human Trafficking
On 06 February, UNODC in partnership with National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), Government of India, organized a multi-stakeholder workshop on “Data collection on Trafficking in Persons” in New Delhi. Discussions focused on the international classification of crime for statistical purposes (ICCS), global best practices in data collection, analysis and reporting with regard to trafficking in persons.
The Maldives: Addressing Violent Extremism
On February 09, the National Roundtable and Consultations on UNODC and Interpol's Support to the Maldives on Counter Terrorism was held in Male, in partnership with the National Counter Terrorism Centre, Maldives. Over 27 government officials participated in this event. In the discussions, UNODC provided an overview of UNODC’s work in Prison Reform, with a special focus on Prevention of Violent Extremism. The successes of UNODC tools to assess and manage the risks posed by violent extremist prisoners were also underscored.
Bangladesh: Management of Criminal Assets
On 26-27 February, UNODC undertook a technical visit to Dhaka to hold consultations on "Effective Management of Criminal Assets, including Frozen or Restrained Terrorist Assets". The event comprising 10 officials from Bangladesh and Nepal included consultations on the new draft handbook: a "Criminal Asset Management Manual: A Good Practice Guide to Management and Disposal of Criminal Assets, including Frozen or Restrained Terrorist Assets". The meeting was hosted by the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit.
Nepal: Capacity Building to Enable Justice for Children
UNODC convened a five-day Training of Trainers workshop on Justice for Children in Nepal for prosecutors at Dhulikhel from 03-07 February. Nepal’s Attorney General delivered the opening remarks, highlighting Nepal's commitment to ending violence against children.Participants exchanged insights on juvenile justice, and advantages and disadvantages of setting the minimum age of criminal responsibility at 10 years. Role playing exercises were also held to enable child-sensitive communication. This is a specialized course designed for prosecutors dealing with children in conflict with the law and child victims and witnesses.
Our Partners
The aforementioned activities
were made possible
through the generous support of:
Department of Revenue, Government of India
European Union
Government of Japan
Government of Sweden
United Kingdom
US State Department
Partnerships for Impact!
We seek your active and generous assistance as a partner and friend of UNODC to counter transnational organised crime, and promote peace and the rule of law in South Asia. Our partnerships aim at building national and regional alliances on our mandates--crime prevention, security, justice and health--which are closely linked to national, regional and global priorities as well as the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. Let's join hands to enable and aid large-scale and impactful initiatives that help people lead safer and healthier lives . Your support can make all the difference!
To know more, please contact:
Mr. Samarth Pathak
Communications Officer
UNODC Regional Office for South Asia
Email: samarth.pathak@un.org Cellphone: +91-9811347927
Contact Us
EP 16/17, Chandragupta Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi-110021, India
Telephone: +91-11-24104968/70/73
Email: samarth.pathak@un.org
