DOHA: The State of Qatar has praised the role of civil society in contributing to the efforts of the crime prevention and criminal justice to all citizens and residents alike.
At a plenary debate meeting on the role of the citizen in law enforcement and crime prevention, which was held this morning as part of the Thirteenth United Nations Congress on crime prevention and criminal justice, currently being held in Doha, HE Ambassador Dr. Ahmed Al Hammadi, Director of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that "the concept of security has evolved at an accelerated pace, and jumped out of its traditional concept to a social concept that focuses on community engagement."
He added that the previous conferences on crime prevention had stressed the importance of the civil society which has become an essential component of community involvement in crime prevention through partnership between police services, municipalities, schools and youth centres.
On Qatar's experience, HE Ambassador Al-Hammadi said that the criminal justice system in Qatar allows for each of the accused to be represented by a lawyer before the Court and in the case of his incapacity, the State bears the costs, but he noted the (The police, the judiciary and prison) would no longer be able to achieve the modern concept of crime prevention. Stressing that the police community since its inception on January 1, 2010 in Qatar has been keen to raise awareness of all members of the society of citizens and residents through an annual programme including field visits and meetings to spread awareness about the community's customs and traditions as well as the State's laws and legal culture .
He said the community police is highly respected and appreciated by all communities, embassies and diplomatic missions in Qatar. He also commended the role played by the Qatari Foundation for the protection and social rehabilitation, and the civil society organizations working in the related area in protecting target groups and address the problems that could arise within the framework of their respective work.
Participants of the Thirteenth United Nations Congress on crime prevention and criminal justice continued their discussions on mechanisms for involving local communities in law enforcement and criminal justice that at the plenary meeting this morning.(QNA)
