By Fazeena Saleem
DOHA: The 13th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (UN Crime Congress) began here yesterday with a fresh call on the international community to fight together against transnational organised crime and terrorism.
The conference, opened at the Qatar national Convention Centre (QNCC) in the presence of the Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon explores the best ways to integrate crime prevention and criminal justice into the wider UN agenda.
The Prime Minister and Minister of Interior H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, Sam Kahamba Kutesa, UN General Assembly President, Martin Sajdik, President of UN Economic and Social Council were present at the opening session.
In his opening address, the Prime Minister called for strengthening regional and international cooperation in dealing with the phenomenon of crime from a comprehensive perspective that takes into account all its social, economic, political causes and dimensions.
“This congress is being held in the light of the increasing prevalence of all types of crimes and the continued existence of the hotbeds of conflict, tension, insecurity and instability as well as the lack of development in many areas of the world which led to the escalation of violence, terrorism and corruption,” said the Prime Minister.
“The rule of law on the local, regional and international levels is among the most important guarantees for achieving development and justice, adding that it provides the appropriate environment for the promotion and protection of human rights, and ensures that citizens do their duties towards society,” he added.
He warned that double standards in implementation of international law standards represents the major challenges faced by crime prevention and criminal justice and constitutes a major obstacle to achieve the desired development.
He said Qatar has taken the necessary measures on various legislative and institutional levels and in various sectors for good governance and anti-corruption.
Ban Ki-moon in his key note speech urged all UN member states to ratify agreements and implement them to combat crime, terrorism and drugs.
“You have come to Doha to share your successes, your challenges and your experience in preventing crime and promoting the rule of law to support sustainable development. International cooperation and coordination are critical, particularly in areas such as combatting transnational organized crime and terrorism,” said Ban Ki-moon.
“We must address the growing links between organized crime and terrorism. Like never before, terrorists and criminals around the world are coming together and feeding off each other. They are funding terror through criminal networks and growing rich through the suffering of entire populations”.
“We must take a comprehensive approach to address extremism, trafficking, money laundering, corruption and a range of related issues. There will always be crime and there will always be extremists. But we must work to stop crime and extremism being seen as attractive or necessary options – especially by youth. That is why we are focused on equitable, sustainable development. It is why the United Nations supports rule of law assistance and security sector reform in peacekeeping and peacebuilding,” he added.
This September, member States will consider a post-2015 development agenda that can pave the way to a better future for billions of people. Success requires that the new agenda and sustainable development goals reflect the centrality of the rule of law, said Ban Ki- Moon.
Development and human rights depend on legal frameworks that promote equality and on governance that upholds those laws. All societies need fair criminal justice systems, effective, accountable institutions, and access to justice for all.
Accountable security services can go a long way toward ending cycles of violence. Strengthening legal rights helps to address inequalities, he pointed out.
During the opening ceremony, three students who participated in the Doha Youth Forum that held as part of the UN Crime Congress which concluded on last Thursday presented the recommendations of the forum and these recommendations were handed over officially to the secretary general of the UN during the ceremony.
On the agenda the 13th UN Crime Congress will extensively discuss about , successes and challenges in implementing comprehensive crime prevention and criminal justice policies and strategies to promote the rule of law nationally and internationally and to support sustainable development; International cooperation, including regionally, to combat transnational organized crime; Comprehensive and balanced approaches to prevent and adequately respond to new and emerging forms of transnational crime; National approaches to public participation in strengthening crime prevention and criminal justice.
Before the opening ceremony, the procedural session was held where the Premier was elected president of the Congress. Members of the Congress office as well as the documentation committee were also elected.
Three students who participated in the Doha Youth Forum that held as part of the UN Crime Congress which concluded on last Thursday presented the recommendations of the forum and these recommendations were handed over officially to the secretary general of the UN during the ceremony.
More than 5000 delegates from around 142 countries are attending the seven-day conference, held under the theme ‘Integrating crime prevention and criminal justice into the wider UN agenda to address social and economic challenges and promote the rule of law at the national and international levels, and public participation.”
The P eninsula
