UPSC Prelims 2019 Q54: Current Affairs – International Relations & Treaties
- (a) 1 and 3 only
- (b) 2, 3 and 4 only
- (c) 2 and 4 only
- (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (c) 2 and 4 only
Explanation
UNCAC, UNTOC and UNODC
| Statement | Claim | Verdict | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | UNCAC has Migrant Smuggling Protocol | FALSE | The Migrant Smuggling Protocol is under UNTOC, NOT UNCAC. UNCAC has no such protocol. |
| 2 | UNCAC is the first legally-binding global anti-corruption instrument | TRUE | UNCAC (adopted 2003, in force 2005) is the world's first legally-binding universal anti-corruption treaty. India ratified in 2011. |
| 3 | UNTOC has asset return chapter | FALSE | The asset recovery chapter (Chapter V, return of stolen assets) is in UNCAC, NOT UNTOC. UNTOC's protocols cover trafficking, migrant smuggling, firearms. |
| 4 | UNODC assists implementation of both UNCAC and UNTOC | TRUE | The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Vienna, is the treaty secretariat for both conventions and provides technical assistance. |
Statements 2 and 4 are correct. Answer: (c) 2 and 4 only.
Answer: (c) 2 and 4 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Statements 2 and 4 are correct, not 1 and 3.
- (b) Incorrect. Statement 3 is wrong - asset return is in UNCAC, not UNTOC.
- (c) CORRECT. UNCAC (2003) is the first legally-binding anti-corruption treaty (S2), and UNODC assists both UNCAC and UNTOC (S4). Statements 1 and 3 mix up the two conventions.
- (d) Incorrect. Statements 1 and 3 are wrong.
Key point
UNCAC (2003) = first binding anti-corruption treaty, has asset recovery. UNTOC (2000) = transnational crime, 3 protocols (trafficking, migrant smuggling, firearms). UNODC (Vienna) = secretariat for both.
Remember
Statements 2 and 4 are correct. UNCAC (2003) is the first legally-binding global anti-corruption instrument, and UNODC assists in implementing both UNCAC and UNTOC. Statement 1 confuses migrant smuggling protocol (which is under UNTOC, not UNCAC), and statement 3 confuses asset recovery (which is in UNCAC, not UNTOC).
Common mistakes
- Swapping features between UNCAC and UNTOC - a common trap.
- Confusing UNODC with UN Office at Geneva - UNODC is HQ'd in Vienna.
- Not knowing India ratified UNCAC in 2011 and UNTOC in 2011.
Exam tip
UN anti-crime instruments: UNTOC (2000, Palermo) + 3 Protocols: (a) Trafficking in Persons, (b) Migrant Smuggling, (c) Firearms. UNCAC (2003, Merida) - anti-corruption. Both administered by UNODC, Vienna.
Sources
- United Nations Convention against Corruption (2003) and United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (2000)
- MEA - India's ratification and status reports