Sana’a: The Deputy Minister of Justice and Human Rights, Judge Ibrahim Al-Shami, discussed on Wednesday with the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior for the Services Sector, Major General Mohammed Al-Hakim, the draft amendments to Law No. (3) of 1993 on combating drug trafficking and the illicit use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
According to Yemen News Agency, the meeting, attended by the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights for Financial and Administrative Affairs, Judge Ahmed Al-Kahlani, reviewed the work carried out by the joint committee formed by the Ministries of Interior and Justice, along with relevant judicial bodies, pursuant to the directive of the late Minister of Justice and Human Rights, Judge Mujahid Ahmed Abdullah.
The participants also discussed the explanatory memorandum to the proposed amendments and the justifications necessitating a review and update of the law’s provisions to keep pace with developments and current realities, enhance the effectiveness of the relevant agencies in prevention, enforcement, and achieve the required legal deterrence. This comes in preparation for completing the necessary procedures and submitting the draft amendments in accordance with constitutional and legal processes.
During the meeting, the Deputy Minister of Justice and Human Rights presented a number of legal and technical observations, stressing the importance of updating legislation related to combating drugs and psychotropic substances, given the serious threat this scourge poses to society by targeting vulnerable groups, undermining social values, and threatening security and stability.
He emphasized the need for the amendments to include deterrent penalties and clear procedures that contribute to reducing these crimes and strengthening coordination among the concerned authorities.
Judge Al-Shami commended the efforts of the joint committee formed by the Ministries of Justice and Human Rights, Interior, and the judiciary in preparing the draft amendments, affirming that cooperation among relevant institutions is a fundamental pillar in confronting the challenges associated with combating drugs.
For his part, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior outlined the main practical difficulties facing security agencies in this area, noting that the current law-despite the achievements it has realized-has become in need of updating to keep pace with developments and to remove certain procedural obstacles encountered by enforcement bodies in carrying out their duties, thereby ensuring greater effectiveness in addressing this dangerous phenomenon that threatens society and its security.
Major General Al-Hakim considered the Ministries of Interior and Justice and Human Rights, alongside the judicial authorities, to be the main pillars in the fight against this scourge and the primary entities responsible for the success of counter-drug efforts through effective legislation and firm enforcement.
The meeting affirmed the importance of continued coordination and cooperation among the relevant authorities to achieve national objectives in this field, protect society, strengthen the rule of law, and curb the risks posed by the spread of drugs and psychotropic substances.