Building Back Better:
Strengthening Security, Peace, Justice and Health
Bangladesh: UNODC organizes national workshop on non-custodial measures to reduce prison overcrowding
A national multi-stakeholder workshop on non-custodial measures to reduce prison overcrowding was organised, in collaboration with the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs. The Secretary, Law and Justice Division, Government of Bangladesh and UNODC’s criminal justice expert addressed the participants. In his address, the Secretary emphasised the importance of public and private partnership for implementing alternatives to imprisonment. He welcomed UNODC’s support in building capacities to implement non-custodial measures in the judiciary. About 40 participants from different Ministries, Divisions and Departments of the Government of Bangladesh attended the workshop, besides key development partners, judges, lawyers, prison officials, probation officers and representatives from UNICEF Bangladesh and GIZ Bangladesh. Through group-work and interactive discussions, participants discussed the challenges faced by authorities in implementing non-custodial measures, and brainstormed ways to enhance resource mobilisation, communication and coordination between different agencies.
(Supported by
US Bureau of International Narcotics and
Law Enforcement Affairs)
India: UNODC advocates a comprehensive and balanced approach to address the drugs problem
UNODC’s drug law enforcement expert contributed to a national workshop on ‘Countering the Problem of Drug Trafficking and its Abuse in India,’ organised by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Government of India. Chaired by the NCB Director General, the workshop was attended by law enforcement officials and government representatives. In the discussions, UNODC emphasised the need to promote a comprehensive and balanced approach to address the drugs problem.
India: UNODC’s ‘Lockdown Learners’ powers youth action on peace, SDGs through education
Education is key to promote global peace and development. It empowers and enables youth and educators to bring social change and promote peace, ethics and justice in societies. In February, UNODC produced an impact report highlighting the achievements of the ‘Lockdown Learners’ series in India, which provides a positive framework of action to young people with activity-based learning and mentorship to address critical social challenges and strengthen peace and the Global Goals. UNODC’s Deputy Representative and Communications Officer also called on the Director of Training at India’s Central Board of Secondary Education, to formally present the impact report. Discussions focused on engaging young people on peace, integrity and SDGs through education, fostering family skills, promoting the GRACE initiative and building educator capacities. Over 8 interactive sessions were also conducted as part of the Lockdown Learners series with over 425 students and educators from diverse socio-economic backgrounds in 3 states/Union Territories.
India: UNODC calls for multi-stakeholder responses to strengthen safety and health of children
UNODC advocated a coordinated response to protect children from drugs, crime and risky behaviours, at a national consultation on children in street situations, convened by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), Government of India. Chaired by the NCPCR Chairperson, the consultation was attended by representatives from government departments and civil society. In the discussions, the UNODC experts extended support to efforts focused on protecting child rights, enhancing safety, health and security of children and promoting an enabling culture of lawfulness using education.
Bangladesh: UNODC trains prison staff on crisis management during COVID-19
Prison staff from select prisons in Bangladesh were trained on crisis management during COVID-19 and its psychosocial impact. Participants welcomed the initiative, acknowledging the need for a comprehensive programme to help prison population effectively manage the pandemic. During the discussion, they advocated for a mechanism to enable the appointment of psychologists and correctional officers in prisons to address mental and psychological problems. UNODC will train eight batches of prison staff in all, in the coming weeks.
(Supported by
US Bureau of International Narcotics and
Law Enforcement Affairs)
Sri Lanka: UNODC trains policymakers on the prevention, treatment and care of drug use disorders
On 21-23 February, UNODC trained policymakers from Sri Lanka on the nature, prevention, treatment and care of drug use disorders. The UNODC Policymakers Training Package was developed in 2016, as part of efforts supporting Member States in their efforts to create humane, effective and evidence-based drug use prevention and drug dependence treatment and care services. Participants from key government departments participated in the training, including representatives from the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, Police Narcotics Bureau, Department of Customs and Department of Ayurveda.
UNODC Global Strategy (2021-2025)
UNODC’s mission is to contribute to global peace and security, human rights and development by making the world safer from drugs, crime, corruption and terrorism. Our new Global Strategy (2021-2025) will equip UNODC to deliver effectively, efficiently and with accountability, elevating our support to Member States to build just, inclusive and resilient societies that leave no one behind. Our interventions will pay special attention to human rights, protection of children, gender equality, empowerment of women and youth.
Our activities in South Asia are possible
due to the generous support of:
European Union
Germany
India
Japan
Sweden
United Kingdom
United States of America
UBRAF
UNHCR
Government Partners:
Bangladesh
Bhutan
India
Maldives
Nepal
Sri Lanka
Call for Partnerships:
Impacting Lives with Innovation
Building Back Better from COVID-19: Leaving No One BehindIn response to COVID-19, and its impact on vulnerable groups and emerging risks to security and peace, UNODC Regional Office for South Asia has developed a wide range of projects and initiatives on the following thematic areas:
-- Addressing Gender-based Violence
-- Strengthening Law Enforcement Responses
-- Countering Corruption
-- Youth Engagement through Education
-- Promoting Family Skills
-- Addressing the Needs of Drug Users, those with HIV/AIDS and Hep-C and those in prison settings
-- Strengthening Responses to COVID-19 in Prisons
-- Countering Cybercrime and Promoting Online Safety
-- Responding to the Needs of Human Trafficking Survivors, Refugees, Migrants and the Homeless
Activesupport from partners is requested to enable the implementation of these programs and to scale-up efforts to promote security, justice and health among vulnerable groups in South Asia. Our partnerships aim at building national and regional alliances on our mandates, 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
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.
Contact Us
C-97 (Ground Floor), Defence Colony, New Delhi-110024, India
Email: samarth.pathak@un.org
