Jamaica and Canada to Strengthen Partnership to Combat Transnational Crimes

The Governments of Jamaica and Canada are partnering to combat illicit drug trafficking and other transnational crimes throughout the international maritime supply chain.

Speaking at on July 18 Jamaica House press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister, Minister with responsibility for Information, Senator the Hon. Sandrea Falconer, informed that Cabinet has approved the signing of a Letter of Intent between both Governments.

She said the Letter is part of a funded and enhanced Government of Jamaica/United Nations (UN) Office of Drug Control/World Customs Organisation co-operation.

 Ms. Falconer informed that the agreement will establish a partnership to reinforce and promote national capacity to meet international obligations.

“It will also provide an efficient response to transnational crimes and threats posed by criminal networks throughout the maritime supply chain. The Cabinet was advised of the challenges affecting international maritime trade arising from the use of maritime containers to smuggle illicit drugs, chemicals, weapons, endangered species, and hazardous materials,” she added.

She informed that over 420 million maritime containers move around the globe each year accounting for 90 per cent of international trade.

The container control programme was developed jointly by the UN Office of Drug Control and the World Customs Organisation to assist states in the creation of sustainable law enforcement structures to minimise the risk of maritime containers being exploited and used for illicit drug trafficking, transnational organised crime and other forms of illicit activities.

On another matter, Cabinet gave approval for the Bill entitled ‘the National Parenting Support Commission Act 2012’, to be tabled in the Houses of Parliament.

The Bill is to establish a National Parenting Support Commission, which will have responsibility to, among other things, advise the Minister of Education and lead the implementation of the National Parenting Support Policy.

The Policy will define effective parenting from the Jamaican perspective and government’s intention to support and strengthen positive parenting policies.

By Chris Patterson, JIS Reporter