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Context: The 33rd session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) in Vienna (Austria) concluded after five days of discussions aimed at strengthening crime prevention, criminal justice responses, and global cooperation.

Details

• The session brought together approximately 1400 participants from 128 States, along with representatives from intergovernmental organisations, non-governmental organisations, and United Nations entities and institutes.

Key Highlights from the Session

• The session focused on the theme of "Promoting international cooperation and technical assistance to prevent and address organised crime, corruption, terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and other forms of crime, including in the areas of extradition, mutual legal assistance and asset recovery."
• Discussions explored various forms of international cooperation in criminal matters, as well as challenges and good practices in the legal and operational aspects of such cooperation.
• A workshop organized by the Institutes of the UN Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme Network (PNI) complemented the thematic discussion, providing insights into lessons learned by criminal justice practitioners and policymakers globally.
• The session adopted four thematic resolutions covering various topics such as countering trafficking in persons, treatment of children associated with terrorist groups, reducing reoffending through rehabilitation and reintegration, and preventing and countering violence against children by organised criminal groups and terrorist groups.
• The Chair of the Commission organised two special events during the session.
  • The first event focused on the role of the UN Crime Congress in achieving the Agenda 2030 in the digital age.
  • The second event, titled "Generation Justice: Youth Voices for Justice at the UN Crime Congress," launched the GenJust (Generation Justice) initiative and discussed youth engagement in crime prevention and criminal justice.

Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ)

• The commission's roots can be traced back to the League of Nations era, but it took shape after World War II with the establishment of the United Nations.
• The CCPCJ serves as the primary policymaking body within the UN for crime prevention and criminal justice.
• Its responsibilities include providing policy guidance, overseeing the implementation of UN crime programs, acting as the governing body of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), coordinating activities related to crime prevention, mobilising support among member states, and organising the UN Congresses on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice.

Shift in Focus

• Over time, the focus of the UN's crime program has evolved from narrow concerns such as juvenile delinquency to broader issues like transnational organised crime, terrorism, and corruption.
• There has been a shift from expert-driven bodies to state-driven bodies within the commission, reflecting changes in how crime is perceived and addressed.
• The integration of the UN's crime program with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development highlights the interconnectedness of crime prevention efforts with other development goals.

Membership

• The commission comprises 40 member states elected by the Economic and Social Council, with representation from various regional groups.
• Members serve overlapping three-year terms.

Bureau

• The commission elects a bureau for each session, consisting of a chairperson, three vice-chairpersons, and one rapporteur.

Crime Congress

• The commission organizes international congresses every five years to facilitate the exchange of information and best practices in crime prevention and control.
• These congresses have played a significant role in shaping global criminal justice policies and systems.

Conclusion

• The Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice plays a pivotal role within the UN system in addressing the multifaceted challenges posed by crime and advancing efforts to establish fair, effective, and accountable criminal justice systems globally

Source:

unodc.org

Wikipedia

PRACTICE QUESTION Q. The "Generation Justice" initiative was frequently seen in the news, it is associated with which of the following? A)  A new line of educational toys focused on civic engagement. B)  A campaign promoting the use of technology to solve crimes. C)  An effort to increase youth participation in crime prevention and criminal justice. D)  A scholarship program for students interested in law enforcement careers. Answer: C