For information only - not an official document

UNIS/CP/775
2 September 2014

Statement of the UNODC Executive Director, Yury Fedotov, after meeting with the Tunisian Minister of Interior

Vienna, 2 September (UN Information Service) - Today the Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs (UNODC) and Crime, Yury Fedotov, met with Tunisian Minister of Interior, Lotfi Ben Jeddou.

During talks, Mr. Fedotov expressed UNODC's firm commitment to supporting Tunisia in combatting organized crime and terrorism. UNODC would continue, he said, to work closely with the Ministry of Interior to assist in reinforcing the rule of law, building capacities in the area of police reform and strengthening the judiciary.

UNODC's project in Tunisia is titled "Strengthening respect for human rights and the rule of law in the criminal justice and law enforcement sectors in Tunisia, with a focus on the police and judiciary". This year, as part of the project, UNODC delivered a number of reports on criminal investigations, data collection and forensic services, as well as targeted training for judges and law enforcement officers on human trafficking, terrorism and crime analysis.

After the meeting, Mr. Lotfi Ben Jeddou met with a number of experts from UNODC's Africa and Middle East desk, Criminal Justice Section, and Terrorism Prevention and Organized Crime branches.

* *** *

For further information please contact:

David Dadge
Spokesperson, UNODC
Telephone: (+43- 1) 26060-5629
Mobile: (+43) 699-1459-5629
Email: david.dadge[at] unvienna.org