India expresses commitment towards combating organised crimes at UNTOC

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai on Friday participated in the two-day UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime Ministerial Conference (September 28-29) in Palermo, Italy.

“On behalf of the Republic of Bharat, it is a privilege to speak. “I take this opportunity to express our sincere appreciation to the Government of Italy and the UNODC Secretariat for organizing this Ministerial Conference on the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of the entry into force of UNTOC Convention,” said MoS Home Nityanand Rai at the conference.

He further said that India’s ancient philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ views the entire creation as a family.

“We are One Earth, One Family, and we share One Future. Prime Minister of Bharat, Narendra Modiji has issued a loud call for international cooperation saying: When threats are global, the response cannot just be local!” he explained.

“The world must come together to defeat these threats. “India expresses its strong commitment to combating and uprooting organized crime in all its manifestations,” he added.

MoS Home Rai said organized crime poses a major global threat. “Technological advances have been leveraged by organized criminals to rapidly expand their networks. This includes serious challenges posed by illicit arms trafficking, drug trafficking, organized cybercrime, human trafficking, corruption, money laundering and the international dispersal of the proceeds of crime.” Rai said.

“India has updated and strengthened its legal framework to combat such crimes through the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Amendment Act, 2016; 2018 amendment to the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988; the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018 and amendment to the Prevention of Corruption Act, 2018 and amendment to the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988; Money Laundering Act,” he added.

Nityanand Rai further said at the conference that the outcomes of the Indian Presidency of the G20 include the G20 High Level Principles on Strengthening Law Enforcement on International Cooperation and Information Sharing to Combat Corruption, strengthening asset recovery mechanisms to combat corruption, promote the integrity and effectiveness of public authorities. and authorities responsible for preventing and combating corruption.

MoS Home further said that organized crime cannot be seen in isolation. “Organized crime has also emerged as one of the sources of terrorism and terrorist financing. Organized crime networks often have deep ties to terrorist groups. Activities such as money laundering and financial crimes are known to promote the financing of terrorism,” he said.

“India reiterates that there can be no safe haven for organized crime at the international level because such a safe haven poses a serious global threat. It is a duty to deny safe haven to those engaged in transnational organized crime by prosecuting their crimes wherever they occur. and by working together at the international level,” he added during the conference.

Minister Rai further said that the Convention (UNTOC) should be used as a framework to enhance international cooperation to combat these challenges.

“India has been proactive in providing assistance to requests from other countries under UNTOC and reaffirms its commitment going forward. I am confident that the deliberations at this ministerial conference will give impetus to the cause of strengthening international cooperation in the fight against organized crime,” Rai said. said.