Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice

The recent increase in the scope, intensity and sophistication of crime around the world threatens the safety of citizens everywhere and hampers countries in their social, economic and cultural development. The dark side of globalization allows multinational criminal syndicates to broaden their range of operations from drug and arms trafficking to money laundering and trafficking in human beings.

The United Nations has acknowledged the importance of crime prevention and criminal justice since 1950, when it helped countries to set standards for fair and efficient criminal justice systems. Member States recognize that they must cooperate in order to counter international crime successfully.

Crime Programme

Established in 1997, the Centre for International Crime Prevention (CICP) is the United Nations office responsible for crime prevention, criminal justice and criminal law reform. The CICP works with Member States to strengthen the rule of law, to promote stable and viable criminal justice systems and to combat the growing threats of transnational organized crime, corruption and trafficking in human beings. Since October 2002, the Centre for International Crime Prevention (CICP) has been renamed the UNODC Crime Programme.

Criminal Justice Reform

Fair and effective criminal justice systems which ensure respect for the human rights of all those involved are a prerequisite for combating criminality, both national and trans-national, and for building societies based on the rule of law. The Criminal Justice Reform Unit assists States in developing strategies to reform all the aspects of their criminal justice systems, with particular emphasis on vulnerable groups. Through the UNODC field office network, the Unit has developed projects in the areas of juvenile justice, penal reform, support to victims. The Unit also prepares assessment tools and manuals in all areas of criminal justice reform and based on the set of United Nations standards and norms in crime prevention and criminal justice, with particular emphasis on the needs of vulnerable groups and of post-conflict and transitional societies.

Terrorism constitutes a threat to international peace and security, and it is contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations. UNODC's Global Project against Terrorism is an integral part of the United Nations' collective action against terrorism. The Terrorism Prevention Branch, working closely with the Counter-Terrorism Committee of the Security Council, provides technical assistance to Member States and promotes international cooperation against terrorism.

Corruption is a complex social, political and economic phenomenon. The Global Programme Against Corruption targets countries with vulnerable developing or transitional economies by promoting anti-corruption measures in the public sphere, private sector and in high-level financial and political circles. The Judicial Integrity Programme identifies means of addressing the key problem of a corrupt judiciary.

Criminal groups have established international networks to carry out their activities more effectively through sophisticated technology and by exploiting today's open borders. The Global Programme against Transnational Organized Crime maps the latest trends among organized criminal groups and highlights their potential worldwide danger so that preventive action can take place.

The smuggling of migrants and the trafficking of human beings for prostitution and slave labour have become two of the fastest growing worldwide problems in recent years. The Global Programme Against Trafficking in Human Beings will enable countries of origin, transit and destination to develop joint strategies and practical action against the trade in human beings.