By Lucinda G9

Resolution Put Forth by the People’s Republic of China

The United Arab Emirates, India, Turkey, Singapore and Germany have co-submitted a resolution put forth by PRC, answering questions about Organized Crime and Drug Smuggling. The resolution was initially brought to light because the countries involved noticed and recognized the issues that Drugs and Crime are creating. The resolution states that they are deeply concerned with the 500,000 people around the world who died in 2019 from indirect drug use, and the 130,000 people who died from direct drug dependency and overdoses. This and many other factors encouraged the People’s Republic of China to speak with other countries and together create this resolution. The resolution urges all member states to prohibit any and all drug offenders, including but not limited to: the sale of drugs not for medical purposes; the possession of illegal drugs; and the supply of drugs not for medical purposes.  The resolution also encourages all member states to implement an education system to spread awareness of the negative impacts on the general population. Along with many other aspects the main point of this resolution was to strictly ban and prohibit all drug use and to enforce punishments to all those who don’t abide, as well as to stop the initial drug use by educating the youth and any potential drug users. 

Mexico and Columbia’s Views

Mexico acknowledged the consequences that drugs have on the general population, however believed that the imposition of capital punishment is ineffective and doesn’t help the root cause of drug issues in a country, as it fails to address the underlying socioeconomic factors. Mexico has stated that they do in fact agree with many of the clauses in the resolution, however handing out punishment is not one that they will stand for. Instead they wish to help people at the root of the cause and stop them even considering turning to drugs for their own personal issues or for their economic status. 

Columbia however had a different approach, they were against the resolution as a whole. Saying that drugs should not be made illegal as they have major underlying effects on a country’s economy. Instead they should be allowed to travel throughout a country and continent freely, and there should be no punishment given to people in possession of drugs. When asked about the lives that are impacted by drugs, Columbia dismissed the question and ended the discussion.

Ultimately Mexico agreed to join the resolution if amendments were made to change the punishments and implement a system to stop the root source of drugs. Columbia did not join the resolution and is strongly against the banning of drugs.