Your trusted source

Agreeing unanimously on the centrality of human rights to an effective, fair and humane criminal justice system, the 12th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice concluded in Salvador, Brazil, with the adoption of a political declaration calling for greater scrutiny of the rules governing the treatment of prisoners, stronger national child-protection laws and more State action to prevent violence against women and migrant workers, among other issues, the information department of the Armenian NA reported.

“Salvador Declaration on Comprehensive Strategies for Global Challenges: Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Systems and Their Development in a Changing World” was adopted by consensus and submitted to the United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in its nineteenth session, to be held in Vienna, Austria, next month.

It mentioned that the participating countries are greatly concerned by the negative impact of organized crime on human rights, the rule of law, security and development. Also of "great concern" were the growing sophistication, diversity and transnational aspects of organized crime, as were its links to other criminal and terrorist activities. They also stressed the need to strengthen international, regional and subregional cooperation to effectively prevent, prosecute and punish crime.

The participants showed great concern about criminal acts against migrants, migrant workers and their families and other groups in vulnerable situations. In its final provisions the Declaration called on those States that have not yet done so to consider ratifying or acceding to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the Protocols thereto.

All the topics touched upon during the Congress are also very important for Armenia. The United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the Protocols thereto has entered into force in Armenia since 2003-2004. In order to inform the public about what other measures are being taken in Armenia in crime prevention and criminal justice UN Department of Public Information together with International Organization on Migration is organizing a round-table discussion on May 14 where Government officials from respective law enforcement bodies and Ministry of Foreign Affairs will have the opportunity to present their work.

The thirteenth United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice will be hosted by the Government of Qatar in Doha, in 2015.