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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