New York, The United Nations Security Council, during a day-long open debate, adopted a presidential statement emphasizing the need for increased international and regional collaboration to combat transnational organized crime. This development comes in the wake of growing global concerns about the threats posed by such criminal activities.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the statement by the 15-member Council highlighted the serious and escalating threats of transnational organized crime. The debate occurred shortly after Canada and the United States reported that the Indian government had been implicated in targeting Sikh activists within their borders. This assertion was underscored by pro-Khalistan leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who accused India of engaging in ‘transnational terrorism.’
The United States recently disrupted a plot to assassinate Pannun, an American and Canadian citizen and a lawyer with Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). This attempt followed the murder of another Sikh leader, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, in Surrey, Canada, in June. Pannun, in an interview with The Financial Times, labeled the foiled assassination attempt as a threat to U.S. sovereignty, freedom of speech, and democracy. He claimed that India was using mercenaries to eliminate Sikh activists advocating for Khalistan, a proposed independent Sikh state in Punjab, India.
The Security Council’s statement expressed concern that such transnational crimes could threaten the stability of countries on its agenda. It urged member states to improve border management and bolster international cooperation to effectively counter these threats. The Council also called for strengthening judicial, law enforcement, and border-control capacities, as well as the development of capabilities to investigate arms-trafficking networks.
Furthermore, the Council recognized the necessity of enhanced political and conflict-related analysis, including on criminal networks that facilitate transnational organized crime and terrorism.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, following the adoption of the statement, described transnational organized crime as a “vicious threat” to peace, security, and sustainable development. He emphasized the importance of bolstering defenses against such crimes and urged Member States to fully implement the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its protocols, and to collaborate on investigations and prosecutions.