natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
(c) să ofere asistenţă în punerea în aplicare a unui proiect-pilot ştiinţific „Mac pentru medicină”, care va cerceta mai în profunzime modul în care un regim de autorizaţii poate contribui la reducerea sărăciei, diversificarea economiei rurale, dezvoltarea globală şi mărirea gradului de siguranţă, precum şi modul în care acesta poate deveni un element de succes al eforturilor multilaterale întreprinse în favoarea Afganistanului;
(c) offer its assistance in the implementation of a scientific "Poppy for Medicine" pilot project that will further investigate how licensing can contribute to the alleviation of poverty, diversification of the rural economy, general development and increased security, and how it can become a successful part of multilateral efforts for Afghanistan;
This recommendation on Afghan opium aims to explore the possibility of establishing general conditions internationally which could allow licit poppy production in Afghanistan to be placed on the world's legal market for opium-based analgesics.
This recommendation on Afghan opium aims to explore the possibility of establishing general conditions internationally which could allow licit poppy production in Afghanistan to be placed on the world's legal market for opium-based analgesics.
Such a development would be desirable for two reasons: the need to increase the availability and affordability of painkillers both in developed and developing countries, and the need to devise more effective policies to address both stability and sustainable economic development in Afghanistan.
Such a development would be desirable for two reasons: the need to increase the availability and affordability of painkillers both in developed and developing countries, and the need to devise more effective policies to address both stability and sustainable economic development in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan's economy continues to be predominantly informal and is based mainly on an illegal crop, as such hindering national progress both in political and socio-economical terms.
Afghanistan's economy continues to be predominantly informal and is based mainly on an illegal crop, as such hindering national progress both in political and socio-economical terms.
Background on International Regulation Mechanisms regarding Opium
Background on International Regulation Mechanisms regarding Opium
Opium has been regulated internationally since 1912, when an International Opium Convention was signed at The Hague, representing the first international drug control treaty.
Opium has been regulated internationally since 1912, when an International Opium Convention was signed at The Hague, representing the first international drug control treaty.
International drugs policies at global level have revolved around the norms contained in the UN Conventions of 1961, 1971 and 1988.
International drugs policies at global level have revolved around the norms contained in the UN Conventions of 1961, 1971 and 1988.
These prohibit in particular the production, trafficking, sale and consumption of a whole range of substances other than for medical or scientific purposes.
These prohibit in particular the production, trafficking, sale and consumption of a whole range of substances other than for medical or scientific purposes.
States that wish to produce the prohibited plants have to set up National Agencies to oversee production, refining, transport, commerce and trade in those substances.
States that wish to produce the prohibited plants have to set up National Agencies to oversee production, refining, transport, commerce and trade in those substances.
When the 1961 Convention was adopted, India and Turkey were the biggest producers of poppies.
When the 1961 Convention was adopted, India and Turkey were the biggest producers of poppies.
The Single Convention on Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances created the legislative framework to allow the regulation of those countries' production.
The Single Convention on Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances created the legislative framework to allow the regulation of those countries' production.
At the request of the United States which, in turn, offered to buy a substantial part of that production in order to prevent its diversion into the illegal heroin market, both countries, in compliance with the UN Convention, established national agencies to monitor the production and sale of poppy derivatives.
At the request of the United States which, in turn, offered to buy a substantial part of that production in order to prevent its diversion into the illegal heroin market, both countries, in compliance with the UN Convention, established national agencies to monitor the production and sale of poppy derivatives.
The experiment in legalising poppy production in those two countries was successful; however it was not considered that it provided adequately for the growing demand for opiates.
The experiment in legalising poppy production in those two countries was successful; however it was not considered that it provided adequately for the growing demand for opiates.
With the passage of time legal opium production, subject to strict supervision by the law enforcement agencies of individual countries, was expanded to Australia, France, Spain, Japan, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Bulgaria.
With the passage of time legal opium production, subject to strict supervision by the law enforcement agencies of individual countries, was expanded to Australia, France, Spain, Japan, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Bulgaria.
The UN treaty requires every country to submit annual reports to the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), stating that year's actual consumption of many classes of controlled drugs as well as opioids, and projecting required quantities for the next year.
The UN treaty requires every country to submit annual reports to the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), stating that year's actual consumption of many classes of controlled drugs as well as opioids, and projecting required quantities for the next year.
This is to allow trends in consumption to be monitored, and production quotas allotted.
This is to allow trends in consumption to be monitored, and production quotas allotted.
Afghanistan has ratified all three UN Conventions on Drugs.
Afghanistan has ratified all three UN Conventions on Drugs.
Both the WHO and the INCB have urged the UN Member States to promote the most ample availability of affordable opioids for the treatment of pain, with particular attention to poor countries, where severe under-treatment is reported in more than 150 states.
Both the WHO and the INCB have urged the UN Member States to promote the most ample availability of affordable opioids for the treatment of pain, with particular attention to poor countries, where severe under-treatment is reported in more than 150 states.
Over the last few years, the UN Economic and Social Council and the Assembly of the WHO have adopted a series of resolutions outlining what needs to be done at the multilateral level.
Over the last few years, the UN Economic and Social Council and the Assembly of the WHO have adopted a series of resolutions outlining what needs to be done at the multilateral level.
The situation in Afghanistan
The situation in Afghanistan
According to UN estimates, the 2007 opiate requirements for Afghanistan, a country of over 31 million inhabitants, are, in grammes: Codeine (15,000), Dextropropoxyphene (375,000), Diphenoxylate (7,500), Morphine (3,000), Pethidine (60,000) and Pholcodine (70,000).
According to UN estimates, the 2007 opiate requirements for Afghanistan, a country of over 31 million inhabitants, are, in grammes: Codeine (15,000), Dextropropoxyphene (375,000), Diphenoxylate (7,500), Morphine (3,000), Pethidine (60,000) and Pholcodine (70,000).
Opium cannot be considered a traditional Afghan crop.
Opium cannot be considered a traditional Afghan crop.
In fact, as the government began to lose control of provinces during the Soviet invasion of 1979-80, the Mujahideen, as well as the warlords, started to take control, and, with the unspoken approval of western interests, established a series of illicit systems to finance their warring activities through activities including poppy growing.
In fact, as the government began to lose control of provinces during the Soviet invasion of 1979-80, the Mujahideen, as well as the warlords, started to take control, and, with the unspoken approval of western interests, established a series of illicit systems to finance their warring activities through activities including poppy growing.
The money was principally employed to force the USSR slowly into withdrawal.
The money was principally employed to force the USSR slowly into withdrawal.
When the Red Army was finally forced out of Afghanistan in 1989, a power vacuum was created.
When the Red Army was finally forced out of Afghanistan in 1989, a power vacuum was created.
Various Mujahideen factions started fighting against each other for power.
Various Mujahideen factions started fighting against each other for power.
As Western support ceased, they resorted ever more to poppy cultivation to finance their military activities.
As Western support ceased, they resorted ever more to poppy cultivation to finance their military activities.
Some local opium dealers, looking for a safe operational hub, joined forces with the more fanatic sections of the Mujahideen supported by Arab extremists like Osama bin Laden as well as the Pakistani secret intelligence service (ISI) to form the Taliban movement towards the end of 1994.
Some local opium dealers, looking for a safe operational hub, joined forces with the more fanatic sections of the Mujahideen supported by Arab extremists like Osama bin Laden as well as the Pakistani secret intelligence service (ISI) to form the Taliban movement towards the end of 1994.
The Taliban, having taken control of 90% of the country, actively encouraged poppy cultivation.
The Taliban, having taken control of 90% of the country, actively encouraged poppy cultivation.
Thus they not only fulfilled their promises and obligations to their partners – the various regional mafias - but also increased their own income by imposing taxes on local farmers and through subsidies from international organised crime gangs.
Thus they not only fulfilled their promises and obligations to their partners – the various regional mafias - but also increased their own income by imposing taxes on local farmers and through subsidies from international organised crime gangs.
According to the UNODC, Afghanistan saw a bumper opium crop of 4,600 million tonnes in 1999, which was at the height of the Taliban rule in Afghanistan.
According to the UNODC, Afghanistan saw a bumper opium crop of 4,600 million tonnes in 1999, which was at the height of the Taliban rule in Afghanistan.
It has been documented by several NGOs that in 1997-98, the UNODC reached out to the Taliban to promote agreements with the final aim of curbing poppy production, suggesting a possible international recognition of their regime.
It has been documented by several NGOs that in 1997-98, the UNODC reached out to the Taliban to promote agreements with the final aim of curbing poppy production, suggesting a possible international recognition of their regime.
These formal agreements never materialized and the huge increase in opium production resulted in supply exceeding demand and a drop in the high-street price of heroin and morphine in the West, boosting consumption all over Europe.
These formal agreements never materialized and the huge increase in opium production resulted in supply exceeding demand and a drop in the high-street price of heroin and morphine in the West, boosting consumption all over Europe.
To stop this trend, it is alleged that the Taliban leader, Mullah Omar, issued a ban on poppy cultivation "on religious grounds", resulting in one of the lowest opium production levels in 2000.
To stop this trend, it is alleged that the Taliban leader, Mullah Omar, issued a ban on poppy cultivation "on religious grounds", resulting in one of the lowest opium production levels in 2000.
After regularly producing 70% of the world's opium throughout the 1990s, Afghanistan decreased its production to 74 tonnes per year under a ban by the Taliban in 2000, although the ban may have been intended primarily to boost prices after the country accumulated a stockpile of over two years' supply.
After regularly producing 70% of the world's opium throughout the 1990s, Afghanistan decreased its production to 74 tonnes per year under a ban by the Taliban in 2000, although the ban may have been intended primarily to boost prices after the country accumulated a stockpile of over two years' supply.
After the 2001 war in Afghanistan, production increased again.
After the 2001 war in Afghanistan, production increased again.
According to US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) statistics, Afghanistan's production of oven-dried opium increased to 1,278 tonnes in 2002, more than doubled by 2003, and nearly doubled again during 2004.
According to US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) statistics, Afghanistan's production of oven-dried opium increased to 1,278 tonnes in 2002, more than doubled by 2003, and nearly doubled again during 2004.
In late 2004, the U.S. government estimated that 4.5% of the country's total cropland was under poppy cultivation, and produced 4,200 metric tonnes of opium, 87% of the world's supply, yielding 60% of Afghanistan's GDP.
In late 2004, the U.S. government estimated that 4.5% of the country's total cropland was under poppy cultivation, and produced 4,200 metric tonnes of opium, 87% of the world's supply, yielding 60% of Afghanistan's GDP.
Afghanistan is currently the greatest illicit opium producer in the world, coming before Burma (Myanmar), part of the so-called "Golden Triangle".
Afghanistan is currently the greatest illicit opium producer in the world, coming before Burma (Myanmar), part of the so-called "Golden Triangle".
The UNODC report "Afghanistan: Opium Survey 2006" stresses that the area under illicit opium cultivation reached a record level of about 6,100 tonnes last year, an increase of nearly 50% over the previous year's figure.
The UNODC report "Afghanistan: Opium Survey 2006" stresses that the area under illicit opium cultivation reached a record level of about 6,100 tonnes last year, an increase of nearly 50% over the previous year's figure.
The value of the resulting heroin was estimated at $3.5 billion, of which Afghan farmers were estimated to have received $700 million in revenue (and of which the Taliban are estimated to have collected anywhere from tens of millions to $140 million in taxes).
The value of the resulting heroin was estimated at $3.5 billion, of which Afghan farmers were estimated to have received $700 million in revenue (and of which the Taliban are estimated to have collected anywhere from tens of millions to $140 million in taxes).
For farmers, the crop can be up to ten times more profitable than wheat.
For farmers, the crop can be up to ten times more profitable than wheat.
Recent World Bank and International Monetary Fund figures estimate that almost 40% of Afghanistan's GDP is opium-related, and that some 2.9 million people are engaged in the poppy sector.
Recent World Bank and International Monetary Fund figures estimate that almost 40% of Afghanistan's GDP is opium-related, and that some 2.9 million people are engaged in the poppy sector.
The UNODC reported that last year only six of the 34 provinces in the country were poppy-free and that particularly in the southern provinces of Helmand, where attacks by the Taliban against government and international troops have increased, illicit cultivation had soared to 69,300 hectares.
The UNODC reported that last year only six of the 34 provinces in the country were poppy-free and that particularly in the southern provinces of Helmand, where attacks by the Taliban against government and international troops have increased, illicit cultivation had soared to 69,300 hectares.
Proposals for revision of European Strategies and Approaches in Afghanistan
Proposals for revision of European Strategies and Approaches in Afghanistan
In January 2006, the Afghan National Drug Control Strategy addressed the issue of supply as well as demand reduction, alternative livelihoods and the strengthening of government institutions, and the Ministry of Counter Narcotics, established with the support of European money, was chosen as the lead national agency to implement the strategy.
In January 2006, the Afghan National Drug Control Strategy addressed the issue of supply as well as demand reduction, alternative livelihoods and the strengthening of government institutions, and the Ministry of Counter Narcotics, established with the support of European money, was chosen as the lead national agency to implement the strategy.
On 1 August 2006, the Government of Afghanistan established a Drug Regulation Committee, in order to "regulate the licensing, sale, dispensation, import and export of all drugs for licit purposes in the country".
On 1 August 2006, the Government of Afghanistan established a Drug Regulation Committee, in order to "regulate the licensing, sale, dispensation, import and export of all drugs for licit purposes in the country".
Article 22 of the above-mentioned 1961 UN Convention states that "whenever prevailing conditions in the country or a territory of a Party render the prohibition of the cultivation of opium poppy [...] the most suitable measure, in its opinion, for protecting public health and welfare and preventing the diversion of drugs into the illicit traffic, the Party concerned shall prohibit cultivation".
Article 22 of the above-mentioned 1961 UN Convention states that "whenever prevailing conditions in the country or a territory of a Party render the prohibition of the cultivation of opium poppy [...] the most suitable measure, in its opinion, for protecting public health and welfare and preventing the diversion of drugs into the illicit traffic, the Party concerned shall prohibit cultivation".
Given the implications of a lack of affordable painkillers the world over and the effects of an illicit economy on Afghan daily life, and considering the entirety of European efforts to promote higher standards of health policies and in state and nation-building programmes, the European Parliament should urge the Council to adopt a common position that could trigger a major revision of current strategies and approaches both in the field of opioid availability and affordability at the global level and on poppy eradication in Afghanistan.
Given the implications of a lack of affordable painkillers the world over and the effects of an illicit economy on Afghan daily life, and considering the entirety of European efforts to promote higher standards of health policies and in state and nation-building programmes, the European Parliament should urge the Council to adopt a common position that could trigger a major revision of current strategies and approaches both in the field of opioid availability and affordability at the global level and on poppy eradication in Afghanistan.
The European Union also remains the biggest donor as regards efforts aimed at reducing the supply of opium, through projects to promote alternative livelihoods - that Afghanistan also desperately needs to complement the national diet - to substitute illicit crops.
The European Union also remains the biggest donor as regards efforts aimed at reducing the supply of opium, through projects to promote alternative livelihoods - that Afghanistan also desperately needs to complement the national diet - to substitute illicit crops.
This is a policy that it is considered less intrusive than mere eradication.
This is a policy that it is considered less intrusive than mere eradication.
However, despite the promotion of “alternative development”, there are no tangible signs that overall opium production will decrease in the near future.
However, despite the promotion of “alternative development”, there are no tangible signs that overall opium production will decrease in the near future.
Today’s lack of security in Afghanistan should be addressed with a more articulate and comprehensive set of measures and policies which must try to complement the promotion and strengthening of peace, reconciliation and security.
Today’s lack of security in Afghanistan should be addressed with a more articulate and comprehensive set of measures and policies which must try to complement the promotion and strengthening of peace, reconciliation and security.
This should be done both through a substantial multilateral presence and an increasing civil cooperation, with the aim of fostering development, progress and confidence in the efforts and security assistance currently underway.
This should be done both through a substantial multilateral presence and an increasing civil cooperation, with the aim of fostering development, progress and confidence in the efforts and security assistance currently underway.
In this context, the process of institution-building, democratization and affirmation of the rule of law and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms can only happen through policies that do not impose "solutions" such as forcible eradication of crops.
In this context, the process of institution-building, democratization and affirmation of the rule of law and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms can only happen through policies that do not impose "solutions" such as forcible eradication of crops.
As suggested in the Report prepared by the EU Monitoring Mission of the Afghan Parliamentary Election of September 2005, a different approach should be pursued in addressing illicit opium production, one which also takes account of the possibility of diverting opium derivatives into the licit market for analgesics.
As suggested in the Report prepared by the EU Monitoring Mission of the Afghan Parliamentary Election of September 2005, a different approach should be pursued in addressing illicit opium production, one which also takes account of the possibility of diverting opium derivatives into the licit market for analgesics.
While such a measure may seem inappropriate on a wide-scale at the present time, experiments to meet national requirements could be launched in selected provinces in Afghanistan where production is limited and security does not present too many challenges.
While such a measure may seem inappropriate on a wide-scale at the present time, experiments to meet national requirements could be launched in selected provinces in Afghanistan where production is limited and security does not present too many challenges.
EU Member States should, in accordance with international norms and in full collaboration with the UN system, including UNDP, UNODC, WHO, as well as the World Bank and the IMF, evaluate the real dynamics of demand and supply of opium-derivatives for the global market in analgesics.
EU Member States should, in accordance with international norms and in full collaboration with the UN system, including UNDP, UNODC, WHO, as well as the World Bank and the IMF, evaluate the real dynamics of demand and supply of opium-derivatives for the global market in analgesics.
They should at the same time address the problems that characterize the prescription of essential painkillers world-wide as a precondition for reassessing and allocating significant new quotas for opium production.
They should at the same time address the problems that characterize the prescription of essential painkillers world-wide as a precondition for reassessing and allocating significant new quotas for opium production.
PROPUNERE DE RECOMANDARE ( B6-0187/2007 )
PROPOSAL FOR A RECOMMENDATION ( B6-0187/2007 )
prezentată în temeiul articolului 114 alineatul (1) din Regulamentul său de procedură,
tabled pursuant to Rule 114(1) of the Rules of Procedure
by Graham Watson, Marco Panella, Marco Cappato and Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck
by Graham Watson, Marco Panella, Marco Cappato and Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck