A/RES/55/59
Convinced that adequate prevention and rehabilitation programmes are
fundamental to an effective crime control strategy and that such programmes should
take into account social and economic factors that may make people more
vulnerable to and likely to engage in criminal behaviour,
Stressing that a fair, responsible, ethical and efficient criminal justice system is
an important factor in the promotion of economic and social development and of
human security,
Aware of the promise of restorative approaches to justice that aim to reduce
crime and promote the healing of victims, offenders and communities,
Having assembled at the Tenth United Nations Congress on the Prevention of
Crime and the Treatment of Offenders in Vienna from 10 to 17 April 2000 to decide
to take more effective concerted action, in a spirit of cooperation, to combat the
world crime problem,
Declare as follows:
1.
We note with appreciation the results of the regional preparatory
meetings for the Tenth United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the
Treatment of Offenders. 2
2.
We reaffirm the goals of the United Nations in the field of crime
prevention and criminal justice, specifically the reduction of criminality, more
efficient and effective law enforcement and administration of justice, respect for
human rights and fundamental freedoms, and promotion of the highest standards of
fairness, humanity and professional conduct.
3.
We emphasize the responsibility of each State to establish and maintain a
fair, responsible, ethical and efficient criminal justice system.
4.
We recognize the necessity of closer coordination and cooperation among
States in combating the world crime problem, bearing in mind that action against it
is a common and shared responsibility. In this regard, we acknowledge the need to
develop and promote technical cooperation activities to assist States in their efforts
to strengthen their domestic criminal justice systems and their capacity for
international cooperation.
5.
We shall accord high priority to the completion of the negotiation of the
United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the
protocols thereto, taking into account the concerns of all States.
6.
We support efforts to assist States in capacity-building, including in
obtaining training and technical assistance and in developing legislation, regulations
and expertise, with a view to facilitating the implementation of the Convention and
the protocols thereto.
7.
Consistent with the goals of the Convention and the protocols thereto, we
shall endeavour:
(a) To incorporate a crime prevention component into national and
international development strategies;
2
See A/CONF.187/RPM.1/1
A/CONF.187/RPM.4/1.
2
and
Corr.1,
A/CONF.187/RPM.2/1,
A/CONF.187/RPM.3/1
and