politics International sanctions, such as linking with foreign companies, use of vessels under flags of convenience, and tapping its own diplomats to facilitate illicit activities including arms transfers.
But equally critical are the gaps noted by the Experts Group on the implementation by other UN Member States. Apart from low rate of submission of national reports, several of the reports submitted are not clear on how Member States will enforce the resolutions. Several countries also lack the domestic legal and institutional frameworks and capabilities to carry out their obligations under UNSC resolutions. There is also low awareness on how North Korea evades the sanctions; while some countries simply place little priority in implementing the UNSC resolutions.
PHILIPPINES EXPERIENCE
The Philippines has been a strong advocate of nuclear nonproliferation and has actively participated in the discussions not only in the UN but also in other international regimes including the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty( NPT) and Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization( CTBTO). It has also expressed, either unilaterally or through ASEAN and the UN, its support for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
The Philippines has also submitted national implementation reports to the UNSC in which it noted the role of different agencies such as the Bureau of Immigration( BI), Bureau of Customs( BOC), and the Philippine National Police( PNP) in enforcing sanctions against North Korea.
In March 2016, shortly after UNSC resolution 2270 was passed, the Philippine Coast Guard( PCG) reported that it impounded and inspected MV Jin Teng, a Sierra Leone-flagged vessel but
with known links to North Korea’ s Ocean Maritime Management( OMM). No illicit material was found and the ship was eventually released after China requested the UNSC to de-list the vessel in the resolution. The action by the PCG demonstrates that even though the nuclear weapons issue in the Korean Peninsula is not a direct and imminent threat to the country – in fact impounding the vessel may only risk getting the ire of the North Korean regime – the Philippine government dutifully complied with the obligations set by the UNSC resolution. Although far from being a model, the Philippines showed how each country can contribute to the implementation of UNSC resolutions.
The situation in the Korean Peninsula will largely be shaped by the interactions among regional powers –“ a shrimp among the whales” as an old Korean saying describes it. However, achieving progress toward denuclearization also depends on the level of commitment by all members of the international community. Beyond the customary statements of condemnation and calling on the North Korean government to embrace international treaties on non-proliferation, all UN Member States should show diligence and undertake concrete steps in complying with the UNSC resolutions. Member States should cooperate with the UN and with each other in monitoring compliance and in enhancing each other’ s capability to enforce the sanctions.
Upholding international rules and preserving order, whether it is in the maritime space or on the issue of nuclear and missile non-proliferation regimes, is therefore a collective commitment and responsibility.( Views expressed above are completely personal and doesn’ t reflect the editorial policy of the organisation) Feedback on:- reporter @ dayafterindia. com
November 16-30, 2016 The Dayafter
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