Doha/Vienna, 13 April 2015 - Passed by acclamation at the 13th Crime Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, the Doha Declaration contains recommendations on how the rule of law can protect and promote sustainable development. The organizing principles of the declaration are that sustainable development and the rule of law are mutually reinforcing and crime prevention and criminal justice should be integrated into the wider UN system.
Throughout the declaration emphasis is placed on fair, effective, humane and accountable criminal justice systems. Nations are invited to uphold human dignity, human rights and fundamental freedoms and to prevent corruption and to enhance transparency and integrity. The declaration states that international cooperation is the cornerstone of efforts to enhance crime prevention. Eradication of illiteracy is also viewed as fundamental to the prevention of crime and corruption.
Child and youth related issues sit at the heart of the recommendations and should be fully integrated into criminal reform efforts. It is also important that the results of the Doha Youth Forum that fed into the declaration are given the necessary support by Member States. Each of these recommendations has been crafted with the intent of creating a powerful point of departure for turning these principles into solutions that assist the victims of crime.
The Doha Declaration would not have been possible without the wisdom of the Qatari government which-from the moment the venue of the 13th Crime Congress was announced-has set out with single-minded resolve to achieve agreement on the Doha Declaration. Their diplomatic industry led to bilateral missions to capitals to discuss crucial elements of the declaration, as well as support for pre-congress negotiations. In all these deliberations, the Qatari government never turned from the path of creating not just wise words, but the firm foundation for action.
The result is a declaration that has energized the 60-year legacy of Crime Congresses and given it the power to shape how we tackle crime and promote development for years to come. I offer my wholehearted congratulations to the Qatari government and people for their generous support for the Crime Congress. I pledge UNODC's enduring engagement in the coming years to ensure that these recommendations are fully implemented throughout the world.
For further information please contact:
Martin Nesirky: Spokesperson for the 13th UN Crime Congress
Email: martin.nesirky[at]unvienna.org