UNODC and justice and prison reform

Fair and effective criminal justice systems which ensure respect for the human rights of all those involved are a prerequisite for combating crime and for building societies based on the rule of law. UNODC assists States in developing strategies to reform all the aspects of their criminal justice systems, with particular emphasis on vulnerable groups.  Through its field office network, the Office has developed projects in the areas of juvenile justice, penal reform and support to victims. It has also prepared assessment tools and manuals in all areas of criminal justice reform, based on United Nations standards and norms in crime prevention and criminal justice.

"Effective criminal justice systems can only be developed based on the rule of law and the rule of law itself requires the protection of effective criminal justice measures."

Resolution of the ECOSOC on Strengthening the Technical Cooperation Capacity of the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme in the area of the rule of law and criminal justice reform

 

22 July 2005

The Criminal Justice Reform Unit (CJRU) is part of the UNODC Rule of Law Section in the Division for Operations' Human Security Branch. The Unit contributes towards the mandate of UNODC by assisting developing countries, countries emerging from conflict, and countries with economies in transition in building the capacity of their justice systems to operate more effectively within the framework of the rule of law and with particular attention to vulnerable groups, such as women and children. (General Assembly Resolution, 59/159 of 3 February 2005).

The Unit oversees project development and provides substantive support for project implementation in the general area of justice reform, including:

  • juvenile justice;
  • penal reform;
  • restorative justice;
  • alternatives to imprisonment;
  • victim support; and
  • monitoring and civilian oversight of criminal justice performance.

Project activities include a wide number of interventions such as:

  • training and skills transfer;
  • the provision of advice;
  • law reform;
  • the provision of grants to NGOs; and
  • the development of normative guides, manuals and reports on best practice and training.

Mandates

Criminal justice reform is at the heart of the mandate of the United Nations. Successive UN Crime Congresses, the First UN Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders being held in Geneva in 1955, have explored ways in which criminal justice systems can operate both more effectively and more humanely. The most recent Crime Congresses, held in Vienna in 2000 and in Bangkok in 2005, have continued to strengthen the role of the United Nations in the area of criminal justice reform. The Vienna Declaration (PDF) and its Plans of Action, in particular, highlighted the importance of the issue of criminal justice reform. The Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice has in successive sessions continued to underscore the importance of effective global responses in the area of criminal justice reform. The mandate to assist States in building fair and effective criminal justice systems are also contained in resolutions by the main policy-making organs of the United Nations: the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council.

CJRU works on the implementation and the operationalisation of the United Nations Standards and Norms in Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice. These include the Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials (GA Resolution 34/169), United Nations Rules for the Protection of Juveniles Deprived of their Liberty (GA resolution 45/113), Basic Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary (ECOSOC Resolution 1989/60), United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Administration of Juvenile Justice (GA resolution 40/33), United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (ECOSOC resolution 1984/47), United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for Non-Custodial Measures (GA resolution 45/110), the Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power (ECOSOC 1989/57) and the Guidelines on justice in matters involving child victims and witnesses of crime.

NEW:

UNODC is cooperating with the Institute of the Rights of the Child, Sion, Switzerland), UNICEF and IBCR in organising an international seminar on Children as Victims and Witnesses.  A Question of Law... and of Rights from 14th to 18th of October 2008.

More information at: http://www.childsrights.org/html/site_en/index.php?c=for_sem