Vienna Chapter
Mr. Chairman,
Allow me first to express on behalf of the Group of 77 and China our
congratulations to you on your election, as well as to the other members
of the Bureau and to assure you of our full commitment to support your
efforts for the successful conclusion of our work.
While commending the Secretariat for its valuable contribution in the
preparation for this session, we cannot help but notice the desired
results, since most of the documents of the session were available only
last week in all working languages. This situation has adversely affected
our delegations capability to thoroughly study the documents and come
fully prepared for this session. We call upon the Secretariat to take the
necessary measures to avoid in the future any recurrence of this
regrettable situation.
The Group takes note of the draft Plans of action prepared by the
Secretariat for the implementation of the recommendations contained in the
Vienna Declaration adopted by the Tenth Congress on Crime Prevention and
Treatment of Offenders. Though these plans are very ambitious and may
reduce the extent of international crime, if fully implemented, the Group
is of the view that the objectives can not be achieved unless the
international community, particularly the donors community, commits itself
to providing to developing countries both technical and financial
assistance and training, especially by making adequate contributions to
the United Nations Fund for Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice. This
assistance should also be extended to the implementation of the three
Global Programmes initiated by the ODCCP against Trafficking in Persons
and Corruption, and studies on the extent of Transnational Organised Crime
and also the provisions of the Convention on Transnational Organised Crime
and the protocols thereto.
The Group holds the view that the United Nations Congresses on Crime
Prevention and Treatment of Offenders should continue to be convened at
five year intervals. This will contribute to maintaining the momentum in
fighting international crime and the vigilance of the international
community in this regard. We may also mention here that convening the UN
Congresses does not entail any additional financial burden on the United
Nations' budget.
With regard to the issue of corruption, the Group would like to
express its deep concern for the grave problems associated with this
phenomenon, namely endangering the stability and security of societies,
undermining the values of democracy and morality and jeopardising social,
economic and political development. The Group reiterates its full
commitment to the elaboration of an international legal instrument against
corruption. We strongly recommend that this new instrument should include
measures to prevent the illegal transfers of funds and repatriation of
illegally transferred funds to the countries of origin.
The Group also encourages the Terrorism Prevention Branch to
intensify its efforts towards inter-alia the development of a specialised
data base. Indeed, the fight against transnational organized crime and
terrorism would be significantly enhanced by greater research, surveys and
exchange of experience.
Mr. Chairman,
In order to make the work of the Commission more efficient, we should
draw on the experience accumulated by a similar United Nations body, that
is the Commission on Narcotic Drugs. The latter decided in its 42nd
session to elect, henceforth, the Bureau of the coming session at the end
of the current session. This will, no doubt facilitate the work of the
Bureau. The usefulness of this innovation has been eloquently demonstrated
during the 44th session of the CND. We should follow this example.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
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