Vienna Chapter
Mr. Chairman,
First of all, allow me to express, on behalf of the Group of 77 and
China, my congratulations to you on your election to direct the
proceedings of the 12th session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and
Criminal Justice. I would like to extend these congratulations to the
other members of the Bureau, and to express the full support of the Group
during this session.
Some important items are going to be considered during the next two
weeks and the Group would like to comment on them:
1-. Regarding the Thematic discussion on trafficking in human beings,
specially women and children, the Group considers that the importance of
the subject deserves an in-depth consideration of such matters as the
facilitation of the signature and entry into force of the Protocol to the
Palermo Convention to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons,
Especially Women and Children; prevention; criminalisation; law
enforcement and judicial cooperation; protection of victims, specially
child victims; right to stay in the receiving countries (redress), and the
possible contribution of non governmental organizations to the process.
In this sense it is imperative that new financial resources in
support of this purpose, as well as of the global programme against
trafficking in human beings, are made available to CICP for providing
technical assistance and cooperation, particularly to developing
countries.
2-. All this will go in hand with the need to strengthen the CICP in
support of the high priority given to technical cooperation and the
enhancement of the operational activities of the Centre to assist
developing countries, as contemplated in item 4 of the Agenda.
3-. The G-77 attaches great importance to the commitments made in the
Vienna Declaration, which seek to address the issue of crime prevention
and criminal justice in a comprehensive manner. We take note of the CICP
activities towards the implementation of the Action Plans of the Vienna
Declaration. However, there is a need to strengthening these activities.
In the context of action against all forms of criminal activity, the Group
underlines the importance of strengthen mechanisms for enhancing
prevention, law enforcement and institutional capacities of States against
urban criminality, which is a high priority for many developing countries.
4-. On the item "International cooperation in combating
transnational crime" we share the need to urge the accession,
ratification and implementation of the Palermo Convention and its
Protocols. The entry into force of the convention and the initiation of
the activities of the follow-up mechanism will firmly mark the beginning
of an effective international system to combat transnational organized
crime.
5-. We welcome the General Assembly's decision to strengthen the
Terrorism Prevention Branch of the Centre for International Crime
Prevention pursuant to the Secretary General's report A/57/152 and fully
endorse the substantive role of the TPB as outlined by the Secretary
General and ECOSOC resolution 2002/19 on "strengthening international
cooperation and technical assistance within the framework of activities of
the Centre for International Crime Prevention in preventing and combating
terrorism".
We also welcome the initiation of the Global Programme against
Terrorism under the aegis of the CICP, inter-alia for the provision of
practical assistance to the states for accession, ratification and
effective implementation of the international conventions and protocols
related to terrorism.
6-. Although the process of negotiating an international convention
against corruption is in its finishing steps, the Group is aware of the
difficulties for the drafting of a consensual text at the Ad-hoc Committee
and has in mind the deadline set by the UNGA for the completion of the
works during its next session. In this regard we reiterate the Group´s
support for the Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee and express that the
calendar of events for the completion of its work, as defined by the
General Assembly in its resolution 57/173, cannot be interpreted as a
time/financial constraint in detriment of the quality of the work, and of
the need to count with a broad and effective instrument once negotiations
are finished. The Group also wants to comment on the quality of the report
presented on document E/CN.15/2003/6. We think that it does not contain
the elements required for the Commission to evaluate the difficulties
regarding the culmination of the negotiations of the Ad-hoc Committee. It
is excessively factual and is incomplete in what regards the consideration
of the latest session of the Committee (March 2003).
7-. Money-laundering is a thread that runs through the whole fabric
of criminal activity. Fighting crime in all its forms entails action
against the profits netted through criminal activity, which are employed
for strengthening the network of crime. In this context, we call for the
strengthening and expansion of the activities of the Centre under the
Global Programme against Money-Laundering. The Group also urges the need
to further develop and strengthen the international regime against
money-laundering under the aegis of the United Nations.
8-. The G77 and China emphatically reiterates once more its energetic
condemnation and rejection of kidnapping in all its forms and
manifestations. Equally, we demand the guarantee of life and physical
integrity of all kidnapped persons and that these be released immediately
and unconditionally. In thanking the Secretariat for the presentation of
the Report contained in document E/CN.15/2003/7, we encourage the
continuity of the efforts to strengthen co-operation in the battle against
this calamity and we manifest our satisfaction at the fact that progress
in the search for greater efficiency in technical assistance in this field
is a primary objective of the Centre in 2003.
9-. Regarding Item 7 of the Agenda and the Report of the Meeting of
Experts on the Application of United Nations Standards and Norms in Crime
Prevention and Criminal Justice, the Group takes note of such document
(E/CN.15/2003/10.Add.1) and coincides with the importance of applying
different mechanisms to promote the national application of UN standards
and norms. The meeting of experts is an important way of optimising the
effective implementation of the ECOSOC mandate on the subject. The Group
feels, though, that the process for the convening of the meetings, as well
as for the designation of experts, should involve all members of the UN,
in particular through consultations with the Regional Groups. While
commending the Secretariat for its efforts in organising the thematic
discussion and the four sub-theme panels included in item 1 of the Agenda,
the Group feels that similar consultations should be undertaken during the
intersessional periods regarding the nomination of panellists for the
thematic discussion.
10-. And last, on the proposals for the nomination of authorities of
the Commission, and in order to make its work more efficient, the Group
reiterates its support for the election of the Bureau of the coming
session at the end of the present session. This draws from experience of
other bodies of ECOSOC and its usefulness has been demonstrated in such
organs.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
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