Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani on Monday inaugurated the 19the World Congress of Criminology, which was being held for the first time in the Middle East. The conference was organised by the Ministry of Interior represented by the Police College, in cooperation with the College of Law at Qatar University and International Society of Criminology.
During the conference academics, experts and representative of international organisations and security and legal institutions from 40 countries discussed ways to confront crimes and how to prevent them. The speakers were confident about the outcome of the conference which woud help develop laws and institutions that seek to effectively address crime in contemporary societies and the establishment of criminal justice with full respect for human rights and adherence to the law. The event opened a wider horizon for cooperation, creativity and joint work between researchers, legislators and relevant institutions.
While emerging crimes such as cybercrime were focused, the participants also discussed criminal justice policy in the era of globalisation, science, technology and teaching in criminology, research, investigation and prevention of crime and education on matters related to rule of law.
Addressing the conference, H E Major General Engineer Abulaziz Al Ansari, Chairman of Qatar’s National Counter-Terrorism Committee called for a holistic approach to tackle crimes. He called for comprehensive actions including addressing political, economic and social roots of crime along with security action. He reiterated Qatar’s stance of rejecting all forms of extremism and terrorism, whatever their sources, adding that the state has made it clear through its diplomatic efforts, international measures and national strategies.
Representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Bianca Kopp praised Qatar for hosting the event and establishing the foundations of criminal justice and strengthening international partnership in the field of combating crime. She said that the Doha Declaration of Integrating Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice 2015 marked a milestone in history as the first political declaration to highlight the importance of the role of education in combating crime. Kopp noted that they were not working with academics before the Doha declaration and wouldn’t have that without the support of Qatar, commending Qatar’s generous support for the executive programme of Doha Declaration and the Education for Justice Initiative.
People in Qatar enjoys a very peaceful life without the scourge of crimes and violent behaviour thanks to the well-thought and strategically planned efforts by the wise leadership. For a majority of people in Qatar a criminal incident, even a minor theft, is an unheard thing. The country has already put in place every means to nip any criminal action in the bud through its effective education policies, ensuring employment for all citizens, providing enough entertainment activities and sporting events. The welfare of every citizen and resident is of paramount importance for the country. Hence Qatar is time and again spreading a message of peace across the world through keeping internal peace and harmony.
