Iran statement at CND Thematic Discussions

Statement

Delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran

CND Thematic Discussions

Vienna, 12 Nov 2024

Mr. Chairman,

At the outset I would like to thank you and the President of CND, as well as the secretariat for arranging this meeting.

Mr. Chairperson,

The Islamic republic of Iran, in addressing and countering the drug problem, has adopted inclusive and balanced approach and implemented a wide range of plans in the fields of demand reduction, prevention, treatment, harms reduction, rehabilitation, social supports and vocational training for drug addicts. Priority has been given to the community- based approach in the field of harm reduction and supply reduction. These measures inter alia, include the establishment of especial treatment and rehabilitation centers for women with providing their special needs and caring children of addicted mothers.

Iran has always been the pioneer of fighting against illicit drug trafficking and address all aspects of the world drug problem. In this regard my country succeeded in 2023 to carry out numerous operations to dismantle more than 2252 armed drug trafficking rings and active networks, and inflict major blows to the financial backbone of drug traffickers in line with the relevant money-laundering rules and regulations of the Islamic Republic of Iran. During these operations, approximately 660 tons of different types of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances including 24 tons of heroin and morphine, 445 tons of opium and approximately 37 tons of methamphetamine were seized. In the last year, 13 members of the Iranian law enforcement agencies were martyred in combating narcotic drugs.

In accordance with the principle of common and shared responsibility, it is necessary for the international community, the UNODC and beneficiary states to effectively support Iran’s anti-drug campaign as the first front of fighting against illicit trafficking of drugs, thereby intercepting the shipments to destination ountries. The provision of modern equipment, transfer of technology and technical assistance for boosting border control and analyzing, intercepting and discovering of illicit narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances as well as equipping laboratories are inevitable, although have been hindered by the UCMs in many cases.

In this respect, The United Nations in numerous resolutions has condemned selective approaches as well as the imposition of unilateral coercive measures such as unilateral sanctions, that are illegal and unfair and in contravention of the UN Charter, International Law and Human Rights.

It is to be noted that, hitherto Iran has gone far beyond its fair share in combating illicit drug trafficking and continuation of Iran's fight against it, is contingent on receiving sustainable, sufficient, predictable and proportionate international support. Unfortunately our expectations have not been met and the international assistance remained minimal in comparison with the financial and human costs that my country has incurred.

 Mr. Chairman,

Distinguished delegates,

UNODC announced in its report in August 2023 that following the declaration of a ban in Afghanistan in April 2022, the cultivation and production of opium poppy has dramatically declined from 6,200 tons in 2022 to 333 tons in 2023.

While welcoming any measure by Afghan authorities aiming at the termination of opium poppy cultivation and opium production, the countries of the region particularly Iran have not yet witnessed any proportionate decline in drug trafficking originating in Afghanistan. In such conditions, Iran’s authorities seized more than 330 tons of different kinds of drugs during the first 9 months of the year 2024 along its common borders with Afghanistan.

As already pointed out, based on the previous experience in relation to the Opium Ban in Afghanistan in 2000, the 95 percent decrease in cultivation would not maintain for a long period. This judgment proved to be nearer the reality, as outlined in the recent report on Opium Poppy Cultivation in Afghanistan by UNODC that the opium cultivation in Afghanistan has increased by 19 percent in 2024.

Afghan people are still suffering from certain chronic hardships, lack of economic and industrial infrastructures as well as political instability and insecurity. This is a clear proof indicating that a drop in opium cultivation and production in Afghanistan will not be sustained without international cooperation and effective alternative development programs in cooperation with the neighboring countries.

To conclude, I would like to draw your attention to the latest main seized consignments by the Islamic Republic of Iran’s authorities provided hereunder:

• 1230 kilograms of cannabis originating in Afghanistan seized at Zabol-Milak checkpoint along joint border with Afghanistan on March 3, 2024.
• 3500 kilograms of opium originating in Afghanistan seized at Saravan checkpoint along joint border with Afghanistan on March 6, 2024.
• 504 kilograms of Methamphetamine originating in Afghanistan seized at Dogharun checkpoint along joint border with Afghanistan on April 5, 2024.
• 3070 kilograms of Methamphetamine and Heroin, originating in Afghanistan seized at Taftan checkpoint along joint border with Afghanistan on June 8, 2024.
• 1000 kilograms of opium originating in Afghanistan seized at Khash checkpoint along joint border with Afghanistan on July 20, 2024.
• 2500 kilograms of Methamphetamine originating in Afghanistan seized at Zabol checkpoint along joint border with Afghanistan on September 20, 2024.

 Thank you