NCJ Number
189827
Journal
International Centre for Criminal Law Reform and Criminal Justice Policy Volume: 3 Issue: 2 Dated: Fall/Winter 1998 Pages: 7-8
Date Published
1998
Length
2 pages
Annotation
This discussion of foreign policy and national security notes that threats to domestic security include both transnational crime and external acts of aggression and emphasizes the need for governments to enter into bilateral and multilateral associations, agreements, and arrangements.
Abstract
Sound economic conditions, a healthy physical environment, and political stability are prerequisites for overall national security. In addition, crime prevention and crime control through effective criminal justice institutions and with due regard to human rights are essential to peace, security, and prosperity. However, the growing reliance of whole sectors of society on private security measures has negative implications for democratic institutions and social peace in both the short term and the long term. Recent multilateral efforts at international cooperation have had three major themes: (1) the development of the International Criminal Court, (2) efforts to improve international cooperation to address transnational organized crime, and (3) a renewed focus on technical assistance and cooperation initiatives between countries. A process is in place to draft a new International Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime. Finally, the number of international technical assistance initiatives in which Canada and other countries are involved in the areas of human rights and criminal justice is growing steadily.