A/RES/73/185
The rule of law, crime prevention and criminal justice
in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals
Recalling its resolutions 67/186 of 20 December 2012, entitled “Strengthening
the rule of law and the reform of criminal justice institutions, particularly in the areas
related to the United Nations system-wide approach to fighting transnational
organized crime and drug trafficking”, and 68/188 of 18 December 2013, entitled
“The rule of law, crime prevention and criminal justice in the United Nations
development agenda beyond 2015”,
Aware of the importance of its resolution 70/1 of 25 September 2015, entitled
“Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development ”, which
includes the commitment to promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for
sustainable development, providing access to justice for all and building effective,
accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels, and in this respect recalling its
resolution 70/299 of 29 July 2016 on the follow-up to and review of the 2030 Agenda
at the global level,
Expressing its grave concern about the negative effects of all manifestations of
transnational organized crime on development, peace, stability and security and
human rights,
Convinced that the rule of law and development are strongly interrelated and
mutually reinforcing and that the advancement of the rule of law at the national and
international levels, including through crime prevention and criminal justice
mechanisms, is essential for sustained and inclusive economic growth and sustainable
development and the full realization of all human rights and fundamental freedoms,
Expressing appreciation for the ongoing efforts of Member States to promote
the rule of law and strengthen crime prevention and criminal justice, including by
integrating development programmes into their initiatives in this regard,
Convinced that the promotion of and respect for the rule of law at the national
and international levels, as well as justice and good governance, should guide the
activities of the United Nations and its Member States,
Emphasizing its commitment and strong political will in support of effective,
fair, humane and accountable criminal justice systems and the institutions comprising
them, encouraging the effective participation and inclusion of all sectors of society,
thus creating the conditions needed to advance the wider United Nations agenda, and
recognizing the responsibility of Member States to uphold human dignity, all human
rights and fundamental freedoms for all, in particular those affected by crime and
those who may be in contact with the criminal justice system, including vulnerable
members of society, regardless of their status, who may be subject to multiple and
aggravated forms of discrimination, and to prevent and counter crime motivated by
intolerance or discrimination of any kind,
Encouraging Member States to consider using and applying the United Nations
standards and norms in crime prevention and criminal justice to strengthen fair and
effective criminal justice systems, bearing in mind the importance of the r ule of law
and its relevance for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals,
Stressing the significance of a well-functioning, efficient, fair, effective and
humane criminal justice system as the basis for a successful strategy against
transnational organized crime, corruption, terrorism, illicit drug production,
manufacturing and trafficking, trafficking in persons and other dangerous forms of
trafficking,
Recognizing the importance of the rule of law to all areas of engagement within
the United Nations system, and noting with appreciation the progress made in
ensuring coherence and coordination of activities to support the rule of law, in
cooperation with the Rule of Law Coordination and Resource Group, while
recognizing the different mandates of different United Nations entities,
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