ID with UNODC

2 October 2023

Mr. Chair,

The Islamic Republic of Iran recognizes the important role of UNODC in the global fight against trafficking in persons due to the significant role it can play in promoting the partnership pillar of the global campaign against trafficking in persons as well as its role in collecting and analyzing the relevant information.

Thanks for briefing and the report which was represented today. My delegation believes that conducting joint investigations between and among countries of destination, transit and origin for trafficking in persons is crucial for the success of an investigation in this regard. Bilateral or multilateral agreements or ‎arrangements could lay out the appropriate legal framework for the establishment of ‎such joint investigations, with due respect of the sovereign right of States.‎

Moreover, I would like to highlight that one of the significant challenges in international cooperation to efficiently combat crimes, including drug trafficking and trafficking in persons, is unilateral coercive measures which are imposed by certain states against some countries. These measures violate fundamental international law principles, including those outlined in the UN charter.

As a result, the allocation of sufficient resources to combat crimes, including trafficking in persons and the smuggling of migrants, has been significantly affected and cooperation with other countries at the regional and international levels has been hindered.

In this regard,

Could the UNODC representative elaborate on the activities of this organization in addressing the negative impacts of UCMs that hinder targeted countries' ability to fight TIP and SOM?