Officials at the preparatory meeting.
DOHA: The Western Asian Regional Preparatory Meeting for the 13th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice began yesterday, with an emphasis on the need for international cooperation to combat crimes.
The Prime Minister and Interior Minister’s Legal Adviser Maj. Gen. Dr Abdullah Yousuf Al Maal chaired the meeting as the representative of the host country.
“As the chairman of the preparatory committee for the congress I am pleased to inform you that Qatar has started early preparations for the international event and we have arranged a media campaign to promote the congress and its objectives.”
A website of the congress will be launched during this meeting,” he said.
He said Qatar has provided financial support to United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to enhance its resources and enrich its preparation for the congress.
Qatar is discussing with other countries on improving the agenda of the congress with fruitful recommendations. It has been decided to hold a youth forum from all continents to discuss their role in protecting society from crime and ensuring criminal justice.
“Though crime has become more cross-border and its various forms are a global concern, each geographical groups have their special issues.
“We believe this meeting will be a milestone in the way of preparation for the Doha 2015, and we hope that it will come out with action-oriented recommendations,” he said.
Judge Hatem Fouad, UNODC representative for GCC, said one of the main challenges of the congress is serious risks faced by countries in the growing phenomenon of organised crime and illicit trafficking and the growing capability of criminal gangs as new technology has become available to them.
Dimitri Vlassis, Head of anti-corruption and economic crimes programme at UNODC, tabled the agenda include clauses to be discussed in the congress.
It includes successful experiences in implementation of policies and comprehensive strategies for crime prevention and criminal justice to strengthen the rule of law at national and international levels.
Addressing the second session, Ambassador Dr Ahmed Hassan Al Hammadi, Director of Legal Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Vice-President of the preparatory committee, highlighted changes in crime due to the weak growth of the economy, internal and external conflicts, migration and its impact on states and the depletion of their resources.
‘One of the effective tools that have not been used to its full potential is to involve civil society, particularly young people, in our national efforts to combat crime and we hope we have the opportunity during the conference to offer to the delegates Qatar’s experience in the field of protecting young people against crime, and utilising their energies in the protection of the family and the nation.
“Among the effective tools of crime prevention, education is the most important of human rights because it is the way to achieve sustainable development in modern society,” he added.
The Peninsula
