NCJ Number
216991
Date Published
February 2006
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This report describes the various responsibilities of the United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice and recommends how the Commission can be revitalized.
Abstract
The report first reviews the creation and mandates of the Commission, which was established in 1991 to develop, coordinate, and monitor crime prevention tailored to the needs of member states. This is followed by a section on the relationship between the Commission, the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime and the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption. The report then discusses the Commission's role in relation to the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Fund. This is compared to the role of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs in relation to the Fund of the United Nations International Drug Control Program. A description of the working methods of the Commission focuses on meetings of its bureau and extended bureau and intersessional meetings, multiyear work plans, the development of priority themes for discussion at each Commission session, and solicitation of proposals from member states for consideration in advance of Commission sessions. Recommendations for revitalizing the Commission include giving priority to its role as the principal policymaking body of the United Nations in crime prevention and criminal justice and intensifying efforts to create the consensus necessary for successful negotiations on new conventions. The Commission might also include in its work program the identification of emerging areas of concern to the international community, followed by policy formulation and guidance on these issues. Appended table on the financial status of the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Fund