INTERVIEW
WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF MEXICO AND CHAIRPERSON OF CICAD, RAFAEL MACEDO DE LA CONCHA
by
Carmen Ortega, information
Specialist, CICAD/OEA
What does it mean for Mexico to be the Charperson of CICAD?
Mexico appreciates the
opportunity and confidence it has been given by its fellow countries in
the Americas by distinguishing Mexico with the Chair of the Inter-American
Drug Abuse Control Commission.
We are living in new times where the fight against the drug problem has become globalized. Currently, the hemispheric vision of this fight is directed at various obstacles, all of which require the cooperation and collaboration of all member states. This collaboration is based on international coordination and on the effectiveness of national policies and more importantly –this must be emphasized– on the will of all member states which are closely intertwined through CICAD.
For this reason, and through this organization, today we are in better shape to unite anti-drug strategies and consequently consolidate the progress made by each state and overcome any weaknesses presented by the countries in this great effort.
With this in mind, and based on the undisputed advances and results obtained through the Multilateral Evaluation Mechanism, we are reconfirming the validity and need to continue to strengthen this important mechanism, which has become a single, transparent and objective process.
The government of Mexico recognizes
the important work being carried out by CICAD since its inception in 1986,
as a leading forum for dialogue and cooperation among the countries of the
hemisphere in the area of drug control.
In this context, it is an honor for me to be the Chair of CICAD.
I am convinced that it is necessary to strengthen confidence as a
pillar of cooperation and collaboration to be able to overcome the drug
problem in this hemisphere and, that we must move forward with common
beliefs and objectives that reflect the joint commitment of the nations of
this hemisphere to health and security in the Americas.
I would also like to emphasize the agreements made by member states during the XXXII CICAD session, which took place last December 2002 and which were recorded in the “CICAD Declaration of Mexico City,” and are summarized below:
- Increase actions in the area of prevention with a special emphasis on supply and demand. Combat corruption and organized crime in all its manifestations
- Renew our commitment to the Multilateral Evaluation Mechanism
- Recognize that hemispheric cooperation is the best path to follow
This is the joint effort that we are committed to. We know and reiterate that no one by him/herself is able to face the drug problem alone. On the contrary, we need the strength derived from unity and coordinated action. We have common objectives and beliefs and together we will protect our nations from this international threat.
Mexico supports international
cooperation. Mexico stands
with all CICAD member states, and from its position as Chair, we will
advance in the consolidation of the Hemispheric Anti-drug Strategy to
preserve health and security of the Americas.
Even though the main problems in the area of drugs in Mexico are drug production and illicit drug trafficking, during the last few years, an increase in drug use has been detected. Our country is fighting this problem in an integrated and strict manner based on a legitimate national policy.
Mexico is combating this problem in
an integrated and firm manner based on a legitimate policy of state.
With respect to supply, this administration has began a
transformation in our security agencies, generating an environment of
confidence among the government agencies of this country in order to be
able to confront drug trafficking in one national effort, with the use of
intelligence prevailing over the use of force.
As a result, this Government has made significant progress against large drug cartels in Mexico and has made unprecedented seizures. During President Fox’s administration, over 15,000 people have been accused in connection to health related crimes. Among those, 40 leaders of criminal organizations. This represents an average of 25 people arrested every day in relation to drug-related crimes.
In the area of demand reduction, efforts have increased in the area of prevention and rehabilitation, through the creation of over 950 municipal committees against addictions which have responded to 530,000 requests from drug users and their families.
Together with civil society, prevention campaigns are promoted and a national survey on addictions is being conducted which for the first time includes rural areas and indigenous populations.
Mexico has a demand reduction strategy which is part of the National Drug Control Program, and which has designated as responsible for its execution, the Secretariats for Health and Education respectively.
Minimum standards of care have been
established for the treatment of drug abuse and whose compliance is
obligatory. Coverage of
treatment services have been gradually expanding.
$930,659,457.00 pesos* have been
assigned and have been distributed in the following manner:
- $112 million to the specialized office dealing with crimes against health
- $115 million to the Office of Crime Prevention and Community Services
- $117 million to the Federal Agency of Investigation
- $121-152 million to state delegations
- $914 million to the Office of Aerial Services
* $1 USD ≈ $10 MXN
As was considered in the National
Health Program of 2001-2006, one of the main obstacles confronting the
Mexican system at the beginning of the XXI century is achieving greater
equality in health conditions and being able to help those who are most
vulnerable in society – traditionally those who are marginalized from
basic services.
In order to overcome these
obstacles, implementation of anticipatory and preventive strategies is
required in order to learn about their life habits.
For this reason, actions directed at special groups constitute a
priority for the Federal Government, particularly in the area of
addictions.
Mexico and the United States are
victims of the negative effects of transnational organized crime and
violence that is spread from the South to the North of our continent.
This magnifies the need for international cooperation and team work
based on the exchange of sensitive information in a relationship of mutual
trust.
The coordinated efforts of our respective institutions against drug trafficking, money laundering, diversion of chemical precursors, firearms trafficking and other crimes related to drugs have led us to arrest individuals who led criminal organizations in both sides of the border, as well as seize large amounts of drugs which will not be used to poison the youth in both of our countries.
With regards to our relationship
with Central America, Mexico maintains a close cooperation with those
countries through agreements in the area of drug trafficking and drug
addiction, many of which have led to the creation of committees which meet
on a regular basis, to exchange information about issues of mutual
interest.
The Attorney General’s Office of Mexico has begun to implement the Operational Program for Transparency and Combating Corruption (POTCC), which responds to the guidelines established in the National Development Plan, of the National Program for Transparency and Combating Corruption and to the objectives, programs and institutional processes that support the following fundamental premises: transparency of institutional actions; defense of national security; combating corruption; combating civil servants’ impunity; responsible participation of civil servants and officials; strengthening and credibility of the institutions of the Public Ministry of the Federation and procuring effective and efficient justice.
Within this context, the AG’s Office has directed its actions towards the following objectives:
§ Guarantee the procurement of efficient, effective and honest justice;
§ Restructure the organization of the institution;
§ Train personnel;
§ Strengthen Human Resources and materials;
§ Strengthen employment stability and stimulate the career civil service;
§ Prevent and combat corruption in an integrated manner;
§ Make the use of public resources transparent;
§ Procure the full respect to human rights;
§ Combat impunity
§ Link the procurement of justice to society in order to regain the trust of this citizenry;
§ Improve and certify internal processes of the institution.
By implementing this program, we hope to obtain the following short-term results:
- Overcome the backlog of pending cases;
- Overcome the backlog of ministerial judicial mandates to be implemented;
- Avoid the practice of irregular behavior and impunity of actions of the Public Ministry of the Federation;
- Avoid infiltration of the institution;
- Strengthen the moral authority of the civil servants of the institution;
- Guarantee legal and transparent actions of federal police in investigations and appraisals;
- Guarantee the optimization of material and human resources of the institution;
- Provide juridical security to those involved in the police searches with respect to the legal framework in which the civil servants of the institution operate.
- Guarantee the efficiency of the career civil service;
- Guarantee the security of employment to the civil servants based on merit;
- Make the work of the Attorney General’s Office transparent;
- Guarantee the respect to human rights;
- Generate confidence from society in the institution;
- Guarantee transparency, honesty and efficiency in the work of civil servants;
- Prevent and avoid irregular behaviors
- Prevent and avoid information leaks.
Mexico is taking full advantage of
advanced information technologies.