Vatican signs treaties against drug trade, organized crime, terrorism

(January 27, 2012) The Vatican has signed three international treaties supporting the fight against the illegal drug trade, financing terrorism and organized crime. By ratifying these international legal instruments Jan. 25, the Vatican "confirms its intention as well as its effective and practical commitment to collaborate with the international community in a manner consistent with its nature and mission, with a view to guaranteeing international peace and justice," wrote Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States. The Vatican ratified the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism and the U.N Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime. Archbishop Mamberti said that the adoption of the three instruments reflects the determination to bring the Vatican "into compliance with the most rigorous internationally agreed rules," especially concerning the financing of terrorism and money laundering. Noting that serious and repeated acts of violence for religious motives are taking place, especially against Christians, Archbishop Mamberti said that this kind of international cooperation may help to prevent and combat the attacks on the life and religious freedom of every human being