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Civil society is preparing for the United Nations General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) on the world drug problem in 2016. On 3 December 2014, before an audience of Member States representatives, UN experts, fellow NGOs and students, the Civil Society Task Force - CSTF was launched.
The launch was co-sponsored by the Permanent Missions of Italy, Mexico, Norway, Sweden and the United States of America. The event was chaired by H.E. Ambassador Bente Angell-Hansen, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Norway to the International Organizations in Vienna, who welcomed the creation of the CSTF.
Building on the success of Beyond 2008, the CSTF is a joint initiative of the Vienna NGO Committee on Drugs - VNGOC and the New York Committee on Drugs - NYNGOC. The CSTF will act as official liaison between the United Nations and civil society in the preparatory process of and at the UNGASS 2016. The newly created body will seek to ensure a comprehensive, structured, meaningful and balanced participation of civil society during this process.
Mr. Esbjörn Hörnberg, Chairperson, VNGOC and Ms. Elisa Rubini, Vice-Chairperson, VNGOC elaborated on the added value of the CSTF, its structure and roadmap of activities until UNGASS 2016. Ms. Heather Haase, Chairperson, NYNGOC and Mr. Allan Clear, Treasurer, NYNGOC, drew attention to the role NGOs would play in the UNGASS 2016 preparatory process, as well as the framework for civil society engagement in this process.
Mr. Aldo Lale-Demoz, UNODC Deputy Executive Director, congratulated the two Committees on their joint initiative and indicated that UNODC stood ready to work with the two Committees in the preparatory process for UNGASS 2016. Ambassador Khaled Shamaa, Chairperson of the 57th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, wished the CSTF a successful start and encouraged NGOs working on the ground to share their experience on which drug policies work and which do not. In her presentation, Ms. Mirella Dummar Frahi, UNODC Civil Society Team Leader, showed a graph including an overview of NGOs working on drug related issues on the ground recommended by the UNODC Field Offices and referred to the results of the independent evaluation of Beyond 2008.
A lively questions and answers session followed, during which speakers called for active civil society participation in a more interactive and substantive preparatory process for UNGASS 2016.
Addressing the Links between Corruption and Transnational Organised Crime
Transnational organized crime is fuelled by corruption. Criminal networks use bribes to facilitate the trafficking of people, drugs, endangered species and arms. In addition, environmental crimes such as illegal logging are often enabled through illicit payments to relevant officials in order to ensure their cooperation.
Q&As session
To illustrate these phenomena, four representatives of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) presented their points of view at a side event organised on 8 October 2014 by the UNODC Civil Society Team on the margins of the seventh session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime (CTOC/COP7) - "Addressing the Links between Corruption and Transnational Organised Crime".
Representatives of NGOs, United Nations bodies and Member States delegates showed considerable interest in hearing the views of the NGO speakers, with over 70 participants attending the side event.
H.E. Susan Le Jeune D'Allegeershecque, Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) to the United Nations Office at Vienna moderated the side event. Ambassador D'Allegeershecque mentioned that the UK attached great importance to civil society participation in the work done by UNODC, including that against corruption and transnational organised crime. Also, the Ambassador recalled a speech recently made by Prime Minister David Cameron. Speaking at a side event on the margins of the 69 th session of the General Assembly, Prime Minister Cameron stated that the fight against corruption should be one of the sustainable development goals for the post-2015 agenda.
Mr. Manzoor Hasan, Chair of the UNCAC Coalition, Barrister-at-Law and Executive Director of the South Asian Institute of Advanced Legal and Human Rights Studies - SAILS presented a study undertaken in seven constituencies in Bangladesh on local power structures. Mr. Hasan highlighted the connections between the mastaans ('mafia'), politicians and youth leaders in land grabbing, drug dealing and extortion cases.
Ms. Anna Alvazzi del Frate, Research Director at Small Arms Survey - SAS, underlined that corrupt officers and loopholes in authorised transfers play a large role in helping divert surplus small arms and ammunition. Through the Transparency Barometer, Ms. Alvazzi del Frate illustrated a direct correlation between the export of illicit arms and anti-corruption measures.
Mr. Joel Jabiles, Project Coordinator, Capital Humano y Social Alternativo - CHS Alternativo and member of the Global Alliance against Traffic in Women - GAATW presented research on the links between corruption and human trafficking in Peru. He showed how poverty, informal economy and increased demand for sexual and labour exploitation are reinforced by corruption. Through cross-referencing the results of the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index 2013 and those of the U.S.A. Trafficking in Persons Report 2013, evidence was presented on the nexus between corruption and human trafficking at global level.
Finally, Mr. Julian Newman, Campaign Director at the Environmental Investigation Agency - EIA, portrayed the mutually supportive relation between corruption and environmental crime, giving examples from EIA investigations in Indonesia, Laos, Mozambique and Vietnam.
The questions and answers session focused on the important role that education and media, in particular social media, can play in the fight against corruption and transnational organised crime.
Presentations:
The Real Politics of Bangladesh
Corruption and small arms
Human Trafficking and Corruption in Peru
Corruption in Wildlife and Forest Crime
Flyer and UNCAC Coalition Twit:
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Congrats to @UNODC Civil Society Team on excellent #UNTOC side event today on "Addressing the links between #corruption and organized crime" - UNCAC Coalition ( @uncaccoalition) October 8, 2014
At its 22 nd annual session (22-26 April, 2013), the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) welcomed 96 NGO representatives from 38 organizations around the world.
aaOld Style Ecomafia*
The Alliance of NGOs on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice carried on the tradition of organizing an informal dialogue with UNODC Executive Director, Mr. Yury Fedotov. The interactive exchange covered a wide range of topics, including, among others: NGO participation; the 13 th Crime Congress (Doha, 2015), correctional services versus health services; the inclusion of access to justice in the post-2015 agenda; the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners; femicide; death penalty for drug crimes; and offshore financial centres.
New Style Ecomafia - Waste as Raw Material
NGOs also met with the Chair of the 22 nd session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, H.E. Ambassador Xolisa Mfundiso Mabhongo. Given this year's thematic debate, the meeting focused primarily on environmental crime. NGOs also had the opportunity to share some of their other concerns and make suggestions as to how civil society could contribute more to the work of UNODC.
A number of NGO statements were also made in the plenary, some of which can be accessed here: http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/commissions/CCPCJ/session/22.html.
The active participation of NGOs is also illustrated in the 18 side events organized in collaboration with UNODC and Member States. Among the topics covered were: wildlife and forest crime; natural resources exploitation and violence; femicide; violence against children in the justice system; the revision of the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners; and corruption.
* Legambiente was one of the organizers of a side event during the 22nd session of the Crime Commission on "Organized Crime and Crimes against the Environment: The Italian Contribution in the Case of Ecomafias". Legambiente uses the term "ecomafia" to indicate illegal activities of criminal organizations which damage the environment.
Picture Credits: Antonio Pergolizzi, Legambiente (Italian NGO working against ecomafias)
On the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (25 November), the Academic Council on the United Nations System and the Small Arms Survey organized a symposium on Femicide, which took place on 26 November 2012 at the United Nations in Vienna. The symposium gathered international experts and women's rights activists on the question and definition of "femicide"; a crime that contrarily to the general decrease of homicides in the world, is steadily increasing.
Femicide comprises the killing of women and girls because of their gender. It can take the form of, inter alia the 1) murder of women as a result of intimate partner violence; 2) torture and misogynist slaying of women 3) killing of women and girls in the name of "honour"; 5) targeted killing of women and girls in the context of armed conflict; 5) dowry-related killings of women; 6) killing of women and girls because of their sexual orientation and gender identity; 7) killing of aboriginal and indigenous women and girls because of their gender; 8) female infanticide and gender-based sex selection foeticide; 9) genital mutilation related deaths; 10) accusations of witchcraft and 11) other gender-based murders connected with gangs, organized crime, drug dealers, human trafficking, and the proliferation of small arms.
These crimes are rarely investigated and prosecuted. The reason being the lack of data and subsequent analysis due to the fact that the great majority of these crimes takes place in the domestic context. The Small Arms Survey NGO evaluates to 66,000 the number of women and girls intentionally and violently killed every year.
The adoption of the term "femicide" by international and national criminal justice systems would enable to reinforce criminalization of this latter by differentiating it from other types of homicide, as it is already the case in Chile and Argentina. Experts testified that this change of legislation has impacted on the number of femicides which has begun to drop already, as far as Chile is concerned.
An important outcome of this symposium was the signature of the "Vienna Declaration on Femicide" by over 150 individuals, including a number of ambassadors and some 10 Member States.
More than 40 NGOs participated in the 21 st session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) that was held from 23-27 April 2012 in Vienna.
NGOs organized various side events in collaboration with UNODC and Member States that focused on victims of human trafficking, migrant smuggling, and terrorism. Other well-attended events focused on femicide, children of incarcerated parents, the death penalty, and the re-socialization of offenders.
NGOs had the opportunity to exchange views with Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha of Thailand and Mr. Yuri Fedotov, UNODC Executive Director, through two informal dialogue sessions.
During his opening speech to the Commission, Mr. Fedotov recognized the important role played by civil society and NGOs in the areas of illicit drug trafficking, organized crime, and corruption, especially in their support for victims of crime.
What's next? The 6 th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC/COP) will take place from 15-19 October 2012 in Vienna. This intergovernmental Conference will discuss the implementation of the Convention and its three Protocols, namely the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, the Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air and the Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms.
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4 March 2015 - Cybercrime is one of the fastest growing transnational organized crimes and already affects millions of victims worldwide. It takes the form of identity-related offences, infringement of copyright and intellectual property rights, and child pornography and abuse. It is one of the greatest threats to the two billion users of cyber space today who knowingly - or not - store personal information online.
In the run up to the 13th United Nations Crime Congress this April, we are highlighting different crimes, showing their impact on development and how vital it is to tackle them to achieve sustainable development. The focus is now on cybercrime, outlining the scale of the problem and telling its transnational story.
Cybercrime has become increasingly easy to commit and harder for law enforcement to stop as technology advances. Developing countries, in particular, lack the capacity to combat cyber-attacks and therefore record higher victimization rates. The need to protect citizens around the world from cybercrime is greater than ever.
Cybercrime is one of the many transnational crimes that will be discussed at the 13th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Doha, Qatar. Held from 12 to 19 April 2015, the Congress will bring together governments, policy-makers and experts to share their experiences and intensify international cooperation in tackling the threat of transnational organized crime. As the international community continues to discuss the post-2015 development agenda, so the Crime Congress will focus on the links between security, justice and the rule of law, and the attainment of a better, more equitable world.
Further information at:
13th United Nations Crime Congress
Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime
Working groups established by the Conference of the Parties
Full text of the Convention and its Protocols
Rules of Procedure for the Conference of the Parties
Rules of Procedure for the Conference of the Parties Corrigendum English - French - Spanish - Russian - Chines - Arabic
Status of ratification
Travaux Préparatoires
Legislative guides and glossaries of terms
Legal tools
The United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, adopted by General Assembly resolution 55/25 of 15 November 2000, is the main international instrument in the fight against transnational organized crime. It opened for signature by Member States at a High-level Political Conference convened for that purpose in Palermo, Italy, on 12-15 December 2000 and entered into force on 29 September 2003. The Convention is further supplemented by three Protocols, which target specific areas and manifestations of organized crime: the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children; the Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air; and the Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, their Parts and Components and Ammunition. Countries must become parties to the Convention itself before they can become parties to any of the Protocols.
The Convention represents a major step forward in the fight against transnational organized crime and signifies the recognition by Member States of the seriousness of the problems posed by it, as well as the need to foster and enhance close international cooperation in order to tackle those problems. States that ratify this instrument commit themselves to taking a series of measures against transnational organized crime, including the creation of domestic criminal offences (participation in an organized criminal group, money laundering, corruption and obstruction of justice); the adoption of new and sweeping frameworks for extradition, mutual legal assistance and law enforcement cooperation; and the promotion of training and technical assistance for building or upgrading the necessary capacity of national authorities. palermo conference
The Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children, was adopted by General Assembly resolution 55/25. It entered into force on 25 December 2003. It is the first global legally binding instrument with an agreed definition on trafficking in persons. The intention behind this definition is to facilitate convergence in national approaches with regard to the establishment of domestic criminal offences that would support efficient international cooperation in investigating and prosecuting trafficking in persons cases. An additional objective of the Protocol is to protect and assist the victims of trafficking in persons with full respect for their human rights.
The Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, adopted by General Assembly resolution 55/25, entered into force on 28 January 2004. It deals with the growing problem of organized criminal groups who smuggle migrants, often at high risk to the migrants and at great profit for the offenders. A major achievement of the Protocol was that, for the first time in a global international instrument, a definition of smuggling of migrants was developed and agreed upon. The Protocol aims at preventing and combating the smuggling of migrants, as well as promoting cooperation among States parties, while protecting the rights of smuggled migrants and preventing the worst forms of their exploitation which often characterize the smuggling process.
The Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, their Parts and Components and Ammunition was adopted by General Assembly resolution 55/255 of 31 May 2001. It entered into force on 3 July 2005. The objective of the Protocol, which is the first legally binding instrument on small arms that has been adopted at the global level, is to promote, facilitate and strengthen cooperation among States Parties in order to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit manufacturing of and trafficking in firearms, their parts and components and ammunition. By ratifying the Protocol, States make a commitment to adopt a series of crime-control measures and implement in their domestic legal order three sets of normative provisions: the first one relates to the establishment of criminal offences related to illegal manufacturing of, and trafficking in, firearms on the basis of the Protocol requirements and definitions; the second to a system of government authorizations or licensing intending to ensure legitimate manufacturing of, and trafficking in, firearms; and the third one to the marking and tracing of firearms.
Full text of the Convention and its Protocols:
United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime
Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime
Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime
Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing and Trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts and Components and Ammunition, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime
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General Assembly resolutions
In its resolution 55/25 of 15 November 2000, the General Assembly adopted the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and two of its supplementary Protocols namely: the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children and the Protocl against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Air and Sea
Arabic Chinese English French Russian Spanish
In its resolution 55/255 of 31 May 2001, the General Assembly adopted the Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts and Components and Ammunition, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime
Arabic Chinese English French Russian Spanish
New York, 25 February 2015 - Remarks at the General Assembly Debate on Integrating Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in the Post-2015 Development Agenda [as delivered]
I am grateful for the opportunity to speak to you today about the importance of integrating crime prevention and criminal justice in the post-2015 development agenda.
I want to thank the President of the General Assembly, along with the Missions of Italy, Mexico, Morocco, Qatar and Thailand, for this initiative.
2015 is a vitally important year for the United Nations – I would say a potentially historic turning point for the world – as we aim to forge a new set of sustainable development goals to be decided in New York in September.
I’m sure important contribution to the ongoing negotiations will come from the 13th Crime Congress, which will be held this April in Doha. At the Congress, participants will consider the important role of crime prevention and criminal justice for sustainable development.
These events offer fresh opportunities for us all to highlight what I have long believed, and what the Secretary-General has often emphasized: “There can be no peace without development, no development without peace, and no lasting peace or sustainable development without respect for human rights and the rule of law.”
Many of you have heard me say this many times before. But I will continue to make this point home until it no longer needs to be said because it is being accepted and done. It is my deep conviction that without this holistic approach, this horizontal approach, our efforts to ensure a life of dignity for all will be only partial and precarious.
This year, as you know, also marks the 70th anniversary of the United Nations.
In the Charter we reaffirm our “faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small.”
This brief clause from the Charter contains several key principles which should guide all of our work: “fundamental human rights”, “dignity”, “worth”, and “the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small”.
Equality is a core element of the rule of law. Equality among people and nations and equality before the law.
We live in a world with a tragic gap between the words of the Charter and the ordinary lives of billions of people.
We see the worst effects of these gaps in the headlines every morning, every single day – from gruesome terrorist attacks, which go beyond imagination, to terrible poverty, to victims of street crimes and sexual violence in conflict. The list is so long.
Huge numbers of people across the world continue to suffer from the devastating consequences of poverty, crime, terrorism, exclusion, persecution and deprivation.
Many of them find themselves vulnerable and unprotected by the shield envisaged in the preamble to the UN Charter.
They demand – and deserve – accountable governance, fair and accessible justice systems, peaceful societies, personal security and a life of dignity. And let us always recall the first three words of the Charter, “We the Peoples”. We are here to serve them.
We have a duty to help people grasp the opportunities they are now denied by forging a strong universal agenda, firmly rooted in human rights and the rule of law.
As we move forward with our plans for transformative sustainable development, we must acknowledge the debilitating and destabilizing effects of crime and violence.
Corruption, violence, exploitation, smuggling of migrants, trafficking of human beings, drugs and firearms, cybercrime, wildlife crime, terrorism and piracy dig and bite deeply into our societies. All these factors are threatening security, economic development and daily lives for millions and millions of people around the world.
In financial terms, the UNODC estimates that illicit financial flows from transnational organized crimes represent a more than two trillion dollar hurdle to achieving peace and preserving development gains. Staggering figure. Two trillion dollars. Compare that to a total of US$134.8 billion in net official development assistance in 2013.
Sustainable development is seriously hampered where there is violence and crime – and where there are no means to resolve grievances.
Insecurity, corruption and crime impede access to health to education and other basic services. They steal these services from the people who need them. This undermines trade and commercial relations, job opportunities and the protection of property. All this harms individuals and damages societies. A deeply worrying trend is the growing relationship between organised crime and terrorism. Something we have to watch very, very carefully.
All forces for good must unite, both nationally and internationally, to fight these scourges.
All countries need effective crime prevention and criminal justice systems that adhere to due process and guarantees of fair trial. All countries need reliable protection systems for victims and witnesses which are impartial and independent and which function according to human rights-compliant laws.
We must safeguard sustainable development through effective crime prevention and the promotion of human rights and the rule of law. This requires the support of all partners: governments, inter-governmental organizations, civil society, the private sector, the media and the public.
I urge every nation to adopt and implement the international instruments on terrorism, the international drug control conventions, and the conventions on corruption and crime, as well as protocols on human trafficking, and smuggling of migrants and firearms.
I also call for greater efforts to gather national data in these areas. Governments and the international community need detailed crime research and analysis to make effective policy choices. Most governments and the UN system already gather the data, but we need to strengthen our efforts, to share and disseminate information.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The source of wisdom is having the facts. We need to have the data and share it. The Secretary-General and UN Member States are now setting out a path towards a future of development and dignity for all the peoples of the world.
A future founded on justice, fairness and equality for all.
A future driven by the engine of social and economic opportunities, and of sustainable development in its broadest sense.
That future is within reach. It is within our grasp. We must not let it slip past us.
Building on the lessons of the Millennium Development Goals and the realities around us in the world, we know that our vision for sustainable development must be rooted in human rights and underpinned by the rule of law.
I hope that today, Mr. President, will be another milestone in building the global partnership for the future we want and that all people deserve.
I thank you.
There is no peace without development, no development without peace, and there is no lasting peace or sustainable development without respect for human rights and the rule of law.”
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
Protection against crime and violence is a top priority of people everywhere.
Criminal activities undermine state authority by fuelling corruption and damaging the legitimate economy. This has an impact on the quality of life of citizens, most particularly the poor, women and children. Effective criminal justice systems and respect for the rule of law are crucial for achieving sustainable development.
In a globalized inter-connected world the transnational nature of crime is one of the key challenges countries face.
From 12 to 19 April 2015, Qatar will be hosting the Thirteenth UN Crime Congress in Doha which brings together governments, policy-makers and experts to exchange their experiences and intensify international cooperation in tackling the threat of transnational organized crime.
As the international community continues to discuss the post-2015 development agenda, so the 13th Crime Congress will consider how best to integrate crime prevention and criminal justice into the wider UN agenda. It will focus on links between security, justice and the rule of law, and the attainment of a better, more equitable world.
As the Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Yury Fedotov, has said, people aspire to be free from the grip of crime, violence, corruption and insecurity: “This basic human aspiration chimes with a growing recognition across the international community that crime is not simply a social problem, but a grave obstacle to achieving sustainable development.”
News
In closing the 58th Session of the CND, UNODC Chief calls for evidence-based practices in drug use treatment
18 March 2015
Photo: Aldo Lale-Demoz, UNODC, Yury Fedotov, UNODC Executive Director, and Ambassador Arthayudh Srisamoot, Chairperson and Permanent Representative o f ThailandSpeaking at the closing of the 58th Session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), which drew around 1,000 participants made up of national delegations, civil society, inter-governmental organizations and the media, UNODC Executive Director Yury Fedotov said that evidence-based practices are the best means of preventing and treating drug abuse and ending the misery of millions of people.
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"It's a crime!" campaign
Wildlife crime campaign
Wildlife and forest crime is a rapidly growing industry, yielding enormous profits for the criminal networks, ranking alongside trafficking in drugs, arms and people. It affects us all, with quick profits leading to devastating losses of wildlife in the future. Animals are being killed for body parts or for the exotic pet trade. Trees are cut down and forests are destroyed to make furniture or other wood products. The impact of the crime is global, although the illicit trade is predominantly in and between the regions of Africa and Asia
5 January 2015 - To mark International Anti-Corruption Day on 9 December 2014, community-based organizations, Governments, international organizations and individuals carried out a number of activities to raise awareness on the damaging effects of corruption.
Reaching more than 8 million people through social media and other campaign activities, a joint UNODC/UNDP global campaign entitled 'Break the corruption chain' informed people how corruption affects education, health, justice, democracy, prosperity and development. UNDP and UNODC Field Offices across the world took the universal message against corruption and tailored it to local audiences. Here are some highlights of a successful partnership involving thousands of activists around the world who demonstrated their commitment to "Break the chain".
Multimedia
In Senegal, civil society organizations helped to set up a committee to strengthen integrity in schools in order to inform young people about the damaging effects of corruption and prevent this crime. Photo: UNODC.In Senegal, l'Observatoire sur l'intégrité together with the FORUM Civil Section Kolda, organized several awareness-raising activities, including photo exhibitions, short movie screenings and debates. They also helped to set up a committee to strengthen integrity in schools in order to inform young people about the damaging effects of corruption and prevent this crime.
In Pakistan, UNODC organized a "selfie" campaign on social media, in which users shared their pictures showing this year's Anti-Corruption campaign messages in Urdu and English. Additional activities organized by UNODC included displaying branded banners at different points in Islamabad, and local media appearances in which panellists spoke about the importance of implementing the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC).
Children and Youth Participation
In Panama, the Regional Anti-Corruption Academy for Central America and the Caribbean (ARAC), together with the National Authority for Transparency and Access to Information (ANTAI), the Financial Prosecutor´s Office and UNODC, participated in the traditional Panama City Christmas parade, organized by the mayor's office. Participants, especially children, cheered Dogui and Dengoso, the cartoon characters who promote the Anti-Corruption Values Programme in the country. The parade was broadcast on radio and television, bringing the anti-corruption message to a much larger audience while highlighting the importance of teaching young children values such as honesty, discipline and integrity.
In Guinea, Stat View International, together with the University Youth Association for Integrity and Development (COJID) raised awareness among students on the role of youth in the fight against corruption. Activities included a half-marathon, conferences and training sessions.
In Burundi, a local NGO, l'Observatoire de lutte contre la corruption et les malversations économiques, organized two weeks of awareness-raising activities in local secondary schools addressing electoral corruption.
Citizens and grass-roots action
In Libya, the subject of asset recovery was addressed through an advocacy campaign from the Libyan Transparency Association entitled "Taking back what was lost to corrupt practices is everyone's responsibility", and which included recommendations on the subject made to the Libyan government.
In Colombia, public and private sector representatives attended an event where UNODC presented an anti-corruption guide for private companies. Photo: UNODC.In Colombia, public and private sector representatives -local government officials, financiers, legislators, law enforcement officials, academics and NGO representatives, among others- attended an event where UNODC presented an anti-corruption guide for private companies, which more than 200 local businesses have used to date.
In the Gulf region, the Bahrain Transparency Society organized an event on money laundering, mobilizing non-governmental organization representatives, the media, and university students.
Other events
In Brazil, an event was jointly organized by UNODC and the Office of the Comptroller General (CGU). The CGU Chief Minister made a statement highlighting both Brazil's breakthroughs in the fight against corruption and the challenges the country still faces in implementing effective and transparent policies. Representatives from other agencies involved in the fight against corruption were present, including the Federal Audit Court, the Public Prosecutor's Office, the Internal Revenue Service, the Council for Financial Activities Control and the Attorney General's Office. During the ceremony, awards were also presented to the winners of a drawing and writing contest, and of another contest on best practices against corruption, both organized by CGU.
In Vietnam, an event jointly organized by UNODC, UNDP and the Government addressed new legislation to protect whistleblowers from retaliation when denouncing corruption in the country. Photo: UNODC.In Vietnam, an event jointly organized by UNODC, UNDP and the Government addressed new legislation to protect whistleblowers from retaliation when denouncing corruption in the country.
In Somaliland, Somalia, UNODC and the local Good Governance and Anti-Corruption Commission (GGAC) organized several activities to mark the International Day, including displaying billboards in public places and distributing stickers with this year's message. Photo: UNODC.In Somaliland, Somalia, UNODC and the local Good Governance and Anti-Corruption Commission (GGAC) organized several activities to mark the International Day, including displaying billboards in public places and distributing stickers with this year's message.
In South Africa, UNODC, the Public Service Commission (PSC) and the University of South Africa (UNISA) invited guests from the public and private sector, civil society, the international community and the media to jointly commemorate the International Day in Pretoria. At the event, the "Big Five" values of public office were highlighted: fairness, transparency, ethical conduct, accountability, and meritocracy.
Similar events were held in many other countries, where the actions and strategies of local governments to combat all forms of corruption, together with the civil society, were set forth. A meeting at the highest level of government was held in Egypt addressing the country's strategy against corruption in partnership with UNODC; a seminar on government transparency was held in Paraguay with the attendance of regional experts on the subject; a youth summit was held in Nigeria, covering issues such as electoral corruption and the country's freedom of information legislation; and in Kenya, UNODC and Government representatives held an event to mark the International Day at a local stadium, while UNDP and UNODC jointly organized a conference targeting social media specialists encouraging them to address corruption-related issues.
Further information at:
International Anti-Corruption Day Campaign
VIENNA, 9 December (UN Information Service) - Corruption reaches into boardrooms, government, law enforcement, education, healthcare and sport, among many other areas.
No country, region or field of endeavour escapes the pull of this crime. Corruption drives up prices, erodes business credibility, diverts public funds and undermines equity and fairness across societies.
But its influence has rippled outwards. Once considered to be the simple cost of doing business, corruption is now the destructive price paid by millions of citizens, especially the poor.
It may be seen in missing tracts of forest, lost classrooms, absent hospitals and unbuilt roads. Corruption, today, represents a serious brake on the forward motion of sustainable development and building effective institutions.
Just as significantly, corruption oils the wheels of other damaging crimes, including illicit trafficking in drugs, people, animals, timber and guns.
In the face of these challenges, our global resistance to corruption hinges on every country ratifying and implementing the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), as well as entering into its peer review mechanism.
This essential tool, founded on the mutual trust of nations working side by side has proven to be a transformational experience for participating countries and is delivering tangible results. These range from meaningful reform to the strengthening of anti-corruption institutions all over the world.
But others also have a nurturing role. Business, and business groups, need to speak out, and in doing so, acknowledge that a company's brand is driven by good practices, ethical behaviour and sound procurement rules.
Civil society is also working to ensure that corruption is confronted. This work is crucial and UNODC will continue to work closely with civil society in the future.
Next year, the Sixth Conference of the States Parties to UNCAC will be held in St. Petersburg. It offers an opportunity to further strengthen global anti-corruption action and deliver the message that corruption has no place in our world.
On the International Day against Corruption, I welcome the tremendous efforts against corruption undertaken by governments, UN agencies, the private and public sector, civil society, academia and the media.
I pledge that UNODC will continue to work with its partners to help eliminate corruption, and to support the wider UN's work in the area of protecting and promoting sustainable development.
* *** *
For further information, please contact:
David Dadge
Spokesperson, UNODC
Telephone: (+43- 1) 26060-5629
Mobile: (+43) 699-1459-5629
Email: david.dadge[at]unvienna.org
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EspañolFrançaisРусскийAbout the campaignWhat can you do?Campaign materialsFactsheetsAudio-video materialsAnti-corruption linksPrevious campaignsHome
Break the corruption chain Corruption is a serious crime that can undermine social and economic development in all societies.
No country, region or community is immune.
This year UNODC and UNDP have developed a joint global campaign, focusing on how corruption affects education, health, justice, democracy, prosperity and development. What can you do? Find some examples of
how you can get active
against corruption. Messages for 9 December Secretary General UNODC Executive Director Spread the word
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1 September 2014 - Delivering a statement on behalf of UNODC Executive Director Yury Fedotov during a side event at the third International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS), UNODC Regional Representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific Jeremy Douglas said that SIDS were vulnerable to the corrosive effects of corruption, particularly as it impacts on sustainable development. "To address this challenge," he added, "we have the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), which is the sole globally accepted framework to fight corruption, with 171 States parties, including 28 SIDS."
The meeting, which has drawn 3,000 participants from SIDS and elsewhere, is taking place in Samoa from 1-4 September. It seeks to galvanize renewed action for small island nations, including identifying how they will transition to a more sustainable development path regarding issues like climate change and renewable energy.
The UNODC side-event, titled "Sustainable Anti-Corruption Reform in Small Island Developing States (SIDS)" drew attention to the importance of a common understanding around governance and anti-corruption. The joint UNODC-UN Development Programme (UNDP) Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption Project was also highlighted as an excellent platform for achieving anti-corruption objectives in the Pacific, and the UNCAC Review Mechanism was mentioned as a key entry point to reform.
"The importance of combating corruption and promoting good governance has increasingly come to the fore, notably in the ongoing dialogue on the post-2015 development agenda," UNODC Regional Representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, Jeremy Douglas, on behalf of Mr. Fedotov, stressed. Other issues discussed at the side-event included the need to link small states efforts to address transnational organised crime, money laundering and corruption, and how to use anti-corruption tools like whistleblower and witness protection schemes in a small state context.
Mr. Douglas was joined at the side-event by UNDP Pacific Centre Regional Manager, Peter Batchelor, the Attorney-General of the Federated States of Micronesia, April D. Skilling, as well as an expert panel drawn from several regions of the world.
Further information at:
UN Conference on Small Island Developing States
UNODC's Action against Corruption and Economic Crime
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Participation of NGOs in the seventh session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime
Over 90 participants, representing more than 50 NGOs and NGO umbrella organisations around the world participated in the 7th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime (CTOC/COP7), which took place on 6-10 October 2014.
The Vienna Alliance of NGOs on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice and the UNODC Civil Society Team co-hosted two briefings on CTOC/COP7 for NGOs. These meetings served as opportunities for NGO representatives to better understand the work of CTOC/COP and to expand their networks.
Also, the session was an occasion for civil society to organise side events and share their expertise and best practices on issues related to organised crime; small arms; smuggling of migrants; trafficking in persons, including services for victims and trafficking of men for sexual purposes; female genital mutilation; international cooperation in providing legal aid and corruption. In total, NGOs organised 16 side events.
NGOs attending the informal dialogue with the UNODC Executive Director
In addition, the UNODC Civil Society Team organised the side event Addressing the Links between Corruption and Organised Crime featuring four NGO speakers who presented their research on the nexus between corruption and organised crime (mafia-type organisations), small arms, trafficking in persons and environmental crime.
Finally, NGOs met with Aldo Lale-Demoz, Deputy-Director, UNODC and Director, Division of Operations and Jean-Luc Lemahieu, Director, Division for Policy Analysis and Public Affairs. The discussion focused on a number of substantive issues, including: UNODC mandates and indicators for the post-2015 development agenda, smuggling of migrants, and the abolition of the death penalty. The two Directors expressed appreciation for the important role played by NGOs on the ground in implementing the mandates of UNODC.
Further information
UNODC CTOC/COP web page
At its 23rd annual session (12-16 May 2014), the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) welcomed 81 NGO representatives from 37 organizations around the world.
Building on a well-established tradition, an informal meeting between UNODC Executive Director, Mr. Yury Fedotov, and the NGO community took place on 13 May 2014. The discussion touched upon a number of substantive issues, including: preparations for the 13th Crime Congress (12-19 April 2015, Doha); UNODC and the inclusion of justice and security in the post-2015 agenda; death penalty; corruption and transnational organised crime; victims' and women's rights and environmental crime.
gggInformal Dialogue with UNODC Executive Director
NGO representatives were also briefed on organizing ancillary meetings at the 13th Crime Congress by Mr. Gary Hill (Coordinator of ancillary meetings and exhibitions). The presentation he delivered, as well as his contact details are available here.
On the last day of the Crime Commission (16 May 2014), NGO, UNODC and Member States representatives discussed the progress made in implementing resolution A/C.3/68/L.8 on "Taking action against gender-related killings of women and girls", which called for "an open-ended intergovernmental expert group meeting (IEGM) to discuss ways and means to more effectively prevent, investigate, prosecute and punish gender-related killing of women and girls". Participants were informed of ongoing preparations for the organization of the IEGM. Two conference room papers (CRP 4 and CRP 5) summarizing the contributions made by Member States and NGOs to the discussion guide of the IEGM are available here.
A number of NGO statements were also submitted, some of which can be accessed here.
The active participation of NGOs is also illustrated in the 21 side events organized in collaboration with UNODC and Member States. Among the topics covered were: femicide; revision of the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners; Bangkok Rules; post-2015 agenda; death penalty; protection of victims of crime; social and pastoral care in prisons; human trafficking and migration; cybermobbing and corruption.
At its 56th annual session (11-15 March, 2013), the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) welcomed 164 NGO representatives from 56 organizations around the world.
Building on last year's experience, the Vienna NGO Committee on Drugs (VNGOC) organized the second Informal Civil Society Hearing on March 11, 2013. CSO representatives, UN experts, and representatives of Member States came together in an effort to explore ways in which CSOs can significantly contribute to the realization of the objectives included in the 2009 Plan of Action. The meeting provided an excellent opportunity for CSOs to strengthen their contribution and start planning for the 2014 High-level Segment Review, as well as the 2016 UNGASS on drugs.
NGOs organized 13 side events in collaboration with UNODC and Member States. A summary of the presentations made during the side events is available here.
Moreover, NGO representatives participated in the three round-table discussions focusing on the progress made in the implementation by Member States of the Political Declaration and Plan of Action on International Cooperation towards an Integrated and Balanced Strategy to Counter the World Drug Problem.
Finally, the VNGOC organized an informal dialogue with UNODC Executive Director, Mr. Yury Fedotov, which provided a platform for a substantive and honest exchange between the Executive Director and CSOs.
Link to BEYOND 2008 Page
Sixty-three NGOs from all around the world participated to the 6 th session of the COP/CTOC last 15-19 October 2012. Working on different subjects and among others on the prevention of crime, the assistance to victims, the access to justice, the preservation of the environment, the promotion of Human Rights or the research on small arms, they united under the umbrella of the Alliance of NGOs on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice to have a stronger voice on the debate.
The Conference was also the occasion for the civil society to organise side events as a way to share knowledge and experience, advocate for the rights of victims and compare best practices. In total, NGOs organised 7 side events.
Among other, the Global Alliance Against Trafficking in Women - GAATW, the Academic Council on the United Nations System - ACUNS and the Austrian NGO EXIT organised a side event entitled "Learning from Victims of Crime for a Better Criminal Justice Response". The purpose of this event was to bring the voice of victims to the attention of policy makers. Two panellists, an Albanian lawyer and a young Afghan boy, were asylum seekers who expressed the enormous difficulties faced in their home countries and in their host countries and the hardship of the travel.
NGOs attending the informal dialogue with the UNODC Executive Director
During the side event "the contribution of NGOs to counter trafficking operations", civil society panellists looked at some of the ways in which NGOs are partnering with goverments in the implementation of the UNTOC. They explain how NGOs facilitate the access to justice, contribute to research and build capacity of victims and other organizations. NGO participate also law enforcement actions such as by reporting trafficking cases, providing evidence and assisting victims.
Finally, NGOs met with UNODC Executive Director Yury Fedotov during an Informal Dialogue. NGO expressed their expectation on the conference's outcome and asked diverse questions on UNODC priorities and work with NGOs. Mr Fedotov reasserts UNODC willingness to partner with NGOs. The office is seeking for their feedback to its work but also put in place a small grant facility program and a trust fund to help victims of Human Trafficking to support the work of NGO and their beneficiaries. NGOs help UNODC reach out to victims and in so doing, bridge the gap between decisions taken at high levels and local communities, beneficiary of the assistance of UNODC.
06 March 2015 - Cooperation between African Governments and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in tackling corruption was the focus of a recent workshop held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Jointly organized by UNODC and the UNCAC Coalition, a global CSO umbrella group, the meeting brought together some 60 participants from 23 African countries.
At the meeting's opening ceremony, Ali Sulaiman, Ethiopian Anti-corruption Commissioner, welcomed all participants to his country, and recalled a recent African Union's report which found that a whopping US$ 1 trillion had been lost to corrupt practices in Africa over the last 50 years. "Africa cannot afford to lose such staggering amount of money."
The event - hosted by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa ( UNECA) and supported by the Austrian Development Agency - was the first multi-stakeholder workshop to take place in Africa for CSOs and Governments working towards the implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and its review mechanism. The meeting allowed CSOs and Governmental focal points to meet - in some cases for the first time - and discuss how to best tackle corruption in their respective countries.
The workshop also served as a platform to exchange best practices regarding the UNCAC and its review mechanism, as well as to build a good working relationship between civil society and the Government. One of the issues put forward by several CSOs was the need to build strategic alliances among anti-corruption agencies, civil society organizations, international organizations, and the private sector in order to reduce corruption.
The countries represented at the meeting had either completed the UNCAC review process or are currently undergoing it. There were 15 country pairings of Government and civil society representatives, a model which facilitated the dialogue between them. One example of this seen during the workshop was the opportunity for the Government focal point from Côte d'Ivoire's recently created anti-corruption institution, the High Authority Council for Good Governance, to meet and initiate dialogue with the civil society representative from the Ivorian Network of Young Leaders for Integrity (RIJLI).
The UN Convention against Corruption is the only legally binding, universal, anti-corruption instrument, and its Article 13 calls on civil society to play an active role in combating corruption. To date, some 250 civil society organizations from across the world have been trained under the UNODC Civil Society Programme with the aim of providing the necessary tools to work with Governments and the private sector on implementing the Convention.
New grants scheme to tackle corruption
UNODC's latest small grants scheme is now open and is designed to assist civil society organizations in their engagement with the private sector in anti-corruption activities. Applications for the current round of small grants are open to African-based CSOs. The deadline is 27 March 2015 and more information is available here or from UNODC's Civil Society team via ngo.unit@unodc.org.
Further information at:
UN Convention against Corruption
UNODC and the Civil Society
UNODC's work on corruption
In its resolution 55/61 of 4 December 2000, the General Assembly recognized that an effective international legal instrument against corruption, independent of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (resolution 55/25, annex I) was desirable and decided to establish an ad hoc committee for the negotiation of such an instrument in Vienna at the headquarters of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
The text of the United Nations Convention against Corruption was negotiated during seven sessions of the Ad Hoc Committee for the Negotiation of the Convention against Corruption, held between 21 January 2002 and 1 October 2003.
The Convention approved by the Ad Hoc Committee was adopted by the General Assembly by resolution 58/4 of 31 October 2003. The General Assembly, in its resolution 57/169 of 18 December 2002, accepted the offer of the Government of Mexico to host a high-level political signing conference in Merida for the purpose of signing the United Nations Convention against Corruption.
In accordance with article 68 (1) of resolution 58/4, the United Nations Convention against Corruption entered into force on 14 December 2005. A Conference of the States Parties is established to review implementation and facilitate activities required by the Convention.
Events
6th session of the Implementation Review Group (Vienna, 1-5 June 2015) [Link to Documents]
6th session of the Working Group on Prevention (Vienna, 31 August - 2 September 2015)
9th session of the Working Group on Asset Recovery (Vienna, 3-4 September 2015)
Resumed 6th session of the Implementation Review Group (St. Petersburg, November 2015)
4th session of the Open-ended Intergovernmental Expert Meeting on International Cooperation (St. Petersburg, November 2015)
6th session of the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (St. Petersburg, 2-6 November 2015)
Past Events
5th session of the Working Group on Prevention (Vienna, 8-10 September 2014)
[Link To Documents]
8th session of the Working Group on Asset Recovery (Vienna, 11-12 September 2014)
[Link To Documents]
3rd session of the Open-ended Intergovernmental Expert Meeting on International Cooperation (Vienna, 9-10 October 2014)
[Link To Documents]
Resumed 5th session of the Implementation Review Group (Vienna, 13-15 October 2014)
[Link To Documents]
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Convention highlights
Prevention
Corruption can be prosecuted after the fact, but first and foremost, it requires prevention. An entire chapter of the Convention is dedicated to prevention, with measures directed at both the public and private sectors. These include model preventive policies, such as the establishment of anticorruption bodies and enhanced transparency in the financing of election campaigns and political parties. States must endeavour to ensure that their public services are subject to safeguards...
[Read More]
Criminalization
The Convention requires countries to establish criminal and other offences to cover a wide range of acts of corruption, if these are not already crimes under domestic law. In some cases, States are legally obliged to establish offences; in other cases, in order to take into account differences in domestic law, they are required to consider doing so. The Convention goes beyond previous instruments of this kind, criminalizing not only basic forms of corruption...
[Read More]
International cooperation
Countries agreed to cooperate with one another in every aspect of the fight against corruption, including prevention, investigation, and the prosecution of offenders. Countries are bound by the Convention to render specific forms of mutual legal assistance in gathering and transferring evidence for use in court...
[Read More]
Asset recovery
In a major breakthrough, countries agreed on asset-recovery, which is stated explicitly as a fundamental principle of the Convention. This is a particularly important issue for many developing countries where high-level corruption has plundered the national wealth, and where resources are badly needed for reconstruction and the rehabilitation of societies...
[Read More]
Signature/ratification status
The Convention entered into force on 14 December 2005, in accordance with its article 68 (1). For each new State or regional economic integration organization becoming a party to the Convention, the Convention enters into force on the thirtieth day after the date of deposit by such State or organization of the relevant instrument.
Status: Signatories: 140, Parties: 173
[Link to Full Status Page]
Authoritative status information on treaties deposited with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, including the United Nations Convention against Corruption, is available on the United Nations Treaty Collection.
Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption
[Click to Enlarge]Pursuant to article 63 of the Convention, a Conference of the States Parties to the Convention was established to improve the capacity of and cooperation between States Parties to achieve the objectives set forth in this Convention and to promote and review its implementation.
[Link to Regular sessions of the Conference of the States Parties]
Mechanism for the Review of Implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption
At its third session, held in Doha from 9 to 13 November 2009. the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption adopted resolution 3/1, entitled "Review mechanism". In that resolution, the Conference recalled article 63 of the United Nations Convention against Corruption, especially paragraph 7, according to which the Conference should establish, if it deemed it necessary, any appropriate mechanism or body to assist in the effective implementation of the Convention.
In the same resolution, the Conference adopted, subject to the provisions of the present resolution, the terms of reference of the Mechanism for the Review of Implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption...
[Read More | Link to Documents]
Open-ended Intergovernmental Working Group on Asset Recovery
At its first session, held in Amman from 10 to 14 December 2006, the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption adopted resolution 1/4 entitled "Establishment of an intergovernmental working group on asset recovery". In that resolution, the Conference decided to establish an interim open-ended intergovernmental working group, in accordance with article 63, paragraph 4, of the United Nations Convention against Corruption and rule 2, paragraph 2, of the rules of procedure of the Conference, to advise and assist it in the implementation of its mandate on the return of proceeds of corruption.
[Read More | Link to Documents]
Open-ended Intergovernmental Working Group on Prevention
At its third session, held in Doha from 9 to 13 November 2009, the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption adopted resolution 3/2 entitled "Preventive measures". In that resolution, the Conference decided to establish an interim open-ended intergovernmental working group, in accordance with article 63, paragraph 7, of the Convention, and rule 2, paragraph 2, of the rules of procedure of the Conference of the States Parties, to advise and assist the Conference in the implementation of its mandate on the prevention of corruption.
[Read More | Link to Documents]
Pilot Review Programme
Article 63 of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) establishes a Conference of the States Parties with a mandate to, inter alia, promote and review the implementation of the Convention. At its first session, held in Jordan in December 2006, the Conference of the States Parties agreed that it was necessary to establish an appropriate and effective mechanism to assist in the review of the implementation of the Convention (resolution 1/1). The Conference also requested the Secretariat to assist parties in their efforts to collect and provide information on their self-assessment and their analysis of implementation efforts and to report on those efforts to the Conference...
[Read More | Link to Documents]
Meetings of the Open-ended Intergovernmental Working Group on Review of the Implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption
[Read More | Link to Documents]
Meetings of the Open-ended Intergovernmental Working Group on Technical Assistance
[Read More | Link to Documents]
Preparatory and negotiating sessions of the Ad Hoc Committee for the Negotiation of a Convention against Corruption
[Read More | Link to Documents]
Excellencies,
Distinguished participants,
Allow me to begin by thanking the President of the General Assembly for his leadership in bringing us together today. And my sincere thanks to the Permanent Missions of Qatar, Thailand, Italy, Mexico and Morocco for proposing this important debate.
As other speakers have mentioned, the Secretary-General's Synthesis Report and the report of the Open Working Group have confirmed that access to justice and promoting safe, peaceful and inclusive societies, as well as strong institutions, are essential to sustainable development.
These are not abstract concepts, but necessary enablers and outcomes of sustainable development.
Global progress has been made in terms of reducing violent crime; however, homicide levels in low and lower-middle income countries have increased by 10 per cent over the last decade.
In 2013, the homicide rate in these countries was on average 2.5 times the rate in high-income countries.
Reducing crime and violence and ensuring the rule of law are manifestly important to the everyday lives of people - to protect the vulnerable from exploitation, stop corruption from eroding public services, and free young people from the downward spiral of poverty, drugs, crime and violence.
As part of integrated UN system efforts, UNODC stands ready to support implementation of a transformative post-2015 development agenda that promotes health, security, justice and the rule of law, while addressing the factors that undermine them, namely crime, drugs, terrorism and corruption.
Such a response requires comprehensive, long-term crime prevention strategies and establishing a culture of lawfulness.
It relies on courts that are efficient, effective and accessible, and law enforcement agencies that keep communities safe from crime and violence, while protecting the rights of people.
It depends on criminal justice systems that assist and protect victims and witnesses of crime; that recognize the special needs of women and children; and that offer alternatives to incarceration and promote social reintegration, which can also help to counter the appeal of violent extremism.
UNODC's integrated country, regional and global programmes promote effective, rights-based crime prevention and criminal justice responses to address these challenges.
Our broad mandate includes stopping human traffickers and migrant smugglers, as well as going after drug lords. It encompasses promoting health and alternative livelihoods.
It involves battling corruption, illicit financial flows, money laundering and terrorist financing.
It includes confronting emerging and re-emerging crimes, including wildlife and forest crime, cybercrime, piracy and trafficking in fraudulent medicines, all of which hinder sustainable development.
Our work is based on globally agreed frameworks, among them the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its three protocols, the Convention against Corruption, the international drug control conventions, the universal legal instruments against terrorism and UN standards and norms on crime prevention and criminal justice.
While much remains to be done for Member States to effectively implement their commitments, these frameworks provide a sound basis for addressing challenges to the rule of law and justice, strengthening institutions and promoting international cooperation in support of sustainable, equitable development.
There are two elements that are essential to the attaining these goals.
Namely, we need genuine ownership on the part of States, which in turn must be underpinned by clear, meaningful targets that can be agreed globally, and customized at the national level.
We also need to be able to measure progress if countries are to uphold their commitments.
Therefore, strengthening national statistical systems so that States can produce high-quality crime and criminal justice data should be another priority.
This remains a challenging task, and the 13th Crime Congress in Doha this April offers a key opportunity to advance the discussion.
As this event makes clear, the focus of the Crime Congress on the role of crime prevention and criminal justice in addressing social and economic challenges and promote the rule of law, is truly well-timed.
The Crime Congress represents the world's largest gathering of governments, civil society and experts in the areas of crime prevention and criminal justice.
For 60 years, the Congresses have been instrumental in shaping policies and strengthening international cooperation to confront crime and promote the rule of law.
In 2015, as we mark the 70th anniversary of the United Nations and work towards the September Summit on the post-2015 development agenda, the 13th Crime Congress is well placed to contribute to the global discussion on the linkages between crime prevention, criminal justice and sustainable development.
In particular, the Congress could provide a forum for identifying priorities, and sharing national experiences and best practices in crime prevention and criminal justice.
This could include discussion of current efforts to monitor the rule of law, crime prevention and criminal justice on the national and international levels, which in turn can help feed into the General Assembly's deliberations for September.
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
As the Secretary-General emphasized in his Synthesis Report, we must "invest in the unfinished work of the MDGs, and use them as a springboard into the future we want - a future free from poverty and built on human rights, equality and sustainability".
The September Summit, where States will agree on a vision of development that will guide the work of the UN and many others for years to come, is an historic opportunity.
We must take it.
Thank you, and I look forward to continuing this very important discussion in Doha.
26 February 2015 - Reducing violent crime is critical to sustainable development, UNODC's Yury Fedotov told the General Assembly this week, spotlighting that while global progress has been made in combatting the scourge, homicide levels in low and lower-middle income countries have increased by 10 per cent over the last decade.
According to UNODC figures, in 2013, the homicide rate in these countries was on average 2.5 times the rate in high-income countries.
"Reducing crime and violence and ensuring the rule of law are manifestly important to the everyday lives of people - to protect the vulnerable from exploitation, stop corruption from eroding public services, and free young people from the downward spiral of poverty, drugs, crime and violence," said Mr. Fedotov at a high-level General Assembly thematic session on 'Integrating Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in the Post-2015 Development Agenda.'
The gathering precedes the 13th UN Crime Congress to be held in Doha this April, and which is the largest gathering of Governments, civil society and experts in the area of crime prevention and criminal justice.
Kicking off the session alongside Mr. Fedotov was, among other UN officials, Martin Sajdik, President of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) as well as the Permanent Representative of Austria, Qatar's Foreign Minister via video message, and the Former President of Slovenia.
Following their opening remarks, two panel discussions were held on successes and challenges of crime policies and on fostering international cooperation.
UNODC's programmes promote rights-based crime prevention and criminal justices responses to address challenges on a country, regional and global level. Its mandate involves battling corruption, illicit financial flows, money laundering and terrorist financing. Additionally, it focuses on emerging and re-emerging crimes, including wildlife and forest crime, cybercrime, piracy and trafficking in fraudulent medicines, all of which hinder sustainable development.
Its work is based on globally agreed frameworks, among them the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its three protocols, the Convention Against Corruption, the international drug control conventions, the universal legal instruments against terrorism and UN standards and norms on crime prevention and criminal justice.
Mr. Fedotov stressed the importance of garnering support for these international treaties: "While much remains to be done for Member States to effectively implement their commitments, these frameworks provide a sound basis for addressing challenges to the rule of law and justice, strengthening institutions and promoting international cooperation in support of sustainable, equitable development."
Furthermore, the UNODC chief called for "genuine ownership" on the part of States and tools to measure whether countries are upholding their commitments. Strengthening national statistical systems to provide high-quality crime and criminal justice data should also be a priority.
In his remarks, UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson echoed that call to the Assembly, saying that all countries need effective crime prevention and criminal justice systems that adhere to due process and guarantees of fair trial.
Stressing that more must be done to safeguard sustainable development through effective crime prevention and the promotion of human rights, Mr. Eliasson called for a "holistic approach" to deal with crime. "As we move forward with our plans for transformative sustainable development, we must acknowledge the debilitating and destabilizing effects of crime and violence."
"Insecurity corruption and crime impede access to health, education and other basic services. They undermine trade and commercial relations, job opportunities and the protection of property. All this harms individuals and damages societies. A deeply worrying trend is the growing relationship between organised crime and terrorism."
Like Mr. Fedotov, the Deputy Secretary-General urged nations to adopt international instruments on terrorism, drug control, corruption, human trafficking and smuggling of migrants and firearms, and emphasized that Governments and the global community need detailed crime research and analysis to make effective policy choices.
President of the General Assembly, Sam Kutesa, in his remarks said crime prevention and access to justice "go hand-in-hand" with many critically important development objectives including the eradication of poverty and increasing access to health care, education, water and energy.
Calling protection against crime and violence "one of the most fundamental pre-requisites for leading a dignified, productive life," he said crime weakens State authority, fuels corruption, harms already fragile economies and undermines quality of life. Modern crime has great reach and considerable influence. It transcends borders and grows in size and scope.
Hence, the rule of law must be a fundamental principle integrated into the core of the UN's work. That starts with States' commitment to international law, Mr. Kutesa said encouraging the adoption of Conventions against Transnational Organized Crime and against Corruption.
"The centrepiece of our efforts should be criminal justice reform, aimed at access to justice and the promotion of an independent judiciary."
Further information at:
UN Deputy Secretary-General's speech at the high-level General Assembly thematic session
UNODC Executive Director's speech at the high-level General Assembly thematic session
UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime
UN Convention against Corruption
12 February 2015 - Corruption is the single greatest obstacle to economic and social development around the world. But it does not just steal money from where it is needed the most; it leads to weak governance, which in turn fuels organized criminal groups and promotes crimes such as human trafficking, arms and migrant smuggling, counterfeiting and the trade in endangered species.
In the run up to the 13th United Nations Crime Congress being held in April, different crimes are being highlighted, showing their impact on development and how vital it is to tackle them to achieve sustainable development. In February 2015 the focus is on corruption, outlining the scale of the problem and telling its transnational story.
It stifles economic growth, undermines the rule of law, and squanders talent and precious resources. Where corruption is rife, companies are reluctant to invest as the costs of doing business are significantly higher. Ultimately, corruption prevents people, countries and businesses from fulfilling their potential.
Corruption is one of the many transnational crimes that will be discussed at the 13th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Doha, Qatar. Held from 12 to 19 April 2015, the Congress will bring together governments, policy-makers and experts to share their experiences and intensify international cooperation in tackling the threat of transnational organized crime. As the international community continues to discuss the post-2015 development agenda, so the Crime Congress will focus on the links between security, justice and the rule of law, and the attainment of a better, more equitable world.
Further information at:
United Nations work on corruption
13th United Nations Crime Congress
International Anti-Corruption Day Campaign
11 December 2014 - In a wide ranging keynote address to students at Dhaka's prestigious University yesterday, UNODC Executive Director Yury Fedotov outlined his Office's international mission to confront drugs, crime, corruption and terrorism.
Describing Dhaka as an "energetic" and "vibrant" city, the UNODC Chief discussed first his mission to South Asia and his talks with government leaders to promote an integrated regional response to these challenges. One that sought to build support among nations, promote partnerships within the UN System and deliver solutions at the grassroots level.
He subsequently linked these ongoing actions to UNODC's wider activities when he said UNODC's global mandate "encompasses many challenges, including drug trafficking and the many forms of organized crime, among them human trafficking and migrant smuggling, wildlife poaching, counterfeit and fraudulent medicines, cyber-crime and piracy, as well as terrorism, money laundering and corruption."
The foundation for this work, he said, were the UN Conventions that have been ratified by the vast majority of countries, including Bangladesh. These included the three international drug control conventions; the Convention against Transnational Organized Crime; and the Convention against Corruption. The conventions are, said Mr. Fedotov, "more than just pieces of paper." They commit counties to ratify them and to undertake action.
But UNODC's work was not simply about legislation, it is also about "people". Describing young people as a country's "greatest asset," Mr. Fedotov told the students your "health is so important to achieving your full potential." He then made a connection between drug trafficking and how it fuels violence and corruption, undermines development, and is implicated in other serious crimes and human rights violations.
Photo: UNODCTelling the assembled students they were "youth leaders" he said they needed to take direct action to motivate their peers. UNODC was helping in this, Mr. Fedotov said, by launching a Youth Initiative that had connected over 700 schools and youth groups from over 100 countries. The initiative was helping young people to share experiences through social media, but also to "inspire".
The afternoon event at Dhaka university was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, represented by Secretary Shahidul Islam, the University of Dhaka, represented by Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. A. A. M.S. Arefin Siddique and UNODC. Support was further provided by the UN Information Centre and the UN Youth Students' Association, Bangladesh. The special guest of honour was Dr. Md. Mozammel Haque Khan, Senior Secretary. Ministry of Home Affairs.
Further information at:
UNODC in South Asia
VIENNA, 9 December (United Nations Information Service) - Corruption is a global phenomenon that strikes hardest at the poor, hinders inclusive economic growth and robs essential services of badly needed funds. From cradle to grave, millions are touched by corruption's shadow.
On this year's observance of the International Anti-Corruption Day, we call again on people everywhere to get involved in "Breaking the Corruption Chain".
Next year the world will agree a new post-2015 sustainable development agenda. Our aim is to empower individuals and catalyse governments, the private sector and civil society to help lift millions out of poverty, protect the planet and achieve shared prosperity and dignity for all. Eliminating corruption and its harmful impacts will be crucial to our future well-being.
To dismantle corruption's high walls, I urge every nation to ratify and implement the UN Convention against Corruption. Its ground breaking measures in the areas of prevention, criminalization, international cooperation and asset recovery have made important inroads, but there is much more to do. Public services must uphold the highest standards of integrity and ensure that appointments are driven by merit. Public servants, as well as elected officials, must be guided by ethics, transparency and accountability.
The private sector also has a crucial role. Good behaviour is good business. Business groups can convert anti-corruption action into firm support for sustainable development.
I call on everyone to help end corruption, and come together for global fairness and equity. The world and its people can no longer afford, nor tolerate, corruption.
9 December 2014 - Today, UNODC and the UN Development Programme are marking the International Anti-Corruption Day with an awareness-raising campaign which will reach more than 8 million people globally. The campaign's message, 'Break the corruption chain', invites people to avoid being part of everyday acts of corruption which relentlessly undermine education, health, justice, democracy and sustainable development in communities large and small all over the world.
The campaign aims to bring together people from all walks of life in the fight against corruption, serving as a global call for action and raising awareness about the importance of countries ratifying the UN Convention against Corruption. Taking back what is lost to corruption is everyone's responsibility - the International Day is observed the world over by governments and civil society organizations, the private sector and the media and the general public.
On his statement for the Day, UNODC Executive Director Yury Fedotov said that no country, region or field of endeavour escapes the pull of corruption, adding that this crime "may be seen in missing tracts of forest, lost classrooms, absent hospitals and unbuilt roads. Corruption, today, represents a serious brake on the forward motion of sustainable development and building effective institutions."
"Our global resistance to corruption" added Fedotov, "hinges on every country ratifying and implementing the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), as well as entering into its peer review mechanism." This tool has been useful for participating countries, with results that range from meaningful reform to the strengthening of anti-corruption institutions all over the world.
Speaking about the Convention, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that "its ground breaking measures in the areas of prevention, criminalization, international cooperation and asset recovery have made important inroads, but there is much more to do. Public services must uphold the highest standards of integrity and ensure that appointments are driven by merit. Public servants, as well as elected officials, must be guided by ethics, transparency and accountability."
Further information at:
Anti-Corruption Campaign website : anticorruptionday.org
Message of the UN Secretary-General on International Anti-Corruption Day
Message from UNODC Executive Director on International Anti-Corruption Day
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