• Topics
  • Alternative Development
  • Corruption
  • Crop Monitoring
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Human Trafficking
  • Illicit Drugs
  • Justice and Prison Reform
  • Money-Laundering
  • Organized Crime
  • Terrorism Prevention
• Resources
  • Commissions
  • Data and Analysis
  • Laboratory and Scientific Services
  • Legal Tools
  • Treaties
• Information For...
  • Donors
  • Member States
  • NGOs and Civil Society
  • Press

Although article 6 of the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, 1988, does not require the Parties to designate an authority or authorities with the responsibility and power to execute requests for extradition or to transmit them to the competent authorities for execution, such authorities were added to the Directory in order to facilitate extradition among States. The transmission of requests and communications relating to them are to be effected between the designated authorities, although a Party may require that such requests and communications be addressed to it through diplomatic channels and, in urgent circumstances, where the Parties agree, through the channels of the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), if possible. Countries permitting urgent requests or communications through Interpol channels are indicated by the words "Request through Interpol: yes".

Article 7 , paragraph 8, of the 1988 Convention requires Parties to designate an authority or authorities with the responsibility and power to execute requests for mutual legal assistance or to transmit them to the competent authorities for execution. The transmission of requests and communications relating to them are to be effected between the designated authorities, although a Party may require that such requests and communications be addressed to it through diplomatic channels and, in urgent circumstances, where the Parties agree, through the channels of the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), if possible. Countries permitting urgent requests or communications through Interpol channels are indicated by the words "Request through Interpol: yes".

Article 17 , paragraph 7, of the 1988 Convention requires Parties to designate an authority or authorities to receive and respond to requests from another Party for confirmation that a vessel that is flying its flag is entitled to do so, and to requests for authorization from the flag State to take appropriate measures in regard to that vessel.

Although article 16 of the the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime does not require the Parties to designate an authority or authorities with the responsibility and power to execute requests for extradition or to transmit them to the competent authorities for execution, such authorities were added to the Directory in order to facilitate extradition among States.

Article 18 , paragraph 13, of the UNTOC Convention requires Parties to designate a central authority with the responsibility and power to receive requests for mutual legal assistance and either to execute them or to transmit them to the competent authorities for execution. Where a State Party has a special region or territory with a separate system of mutual legal assistance, it may designate a distinct central authority that shall have the same function for that region or territory. Central authorities shall ensure the speedy and proper execution or transmission of the requests received. Where the central authority transmits the request to a competent authority for execution, it shall encourage the speedy and proper execution of the request by the competent authority. Requests for mutual legal assistance and any communication related thereto shall be transmitted to the central authorities designated by the States Parties. This requirement shall be without prejudice to the right of a State Party to require that such requests and communications be addressed to it through diplomatic channels and, in urgent circumstances, where the Parties agree, through the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), if possible.

Article 8 , paragraph 6, of the Protocol to Prevent the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, requires Parties to designate an authority or authorities to receive and respond to requests for assistance, for confirmation of registry or of the right of a vessel to fly its flag and for authorization to take appropriate measures.