Discorso pronunciato dall’Ambasciatrice Mariangela Zappia, Rappresentante Permanente d’Italia alle Nazioni Unite, alla Riunione della Terza Commissione per l’Adozione della Risoluzione su Prevenzione di Reati e Giustizia Penale —
Mr. Chair,
I have the honor to introduce resolution A/C.3/73/L.8.Rev.1, titled Strengthening the United Nations crime prevention and criminal justice programme, in particular its technical cooperation capacity.
First, let me inform the Committee that UNODC just noticed that the resolution on the Review Mechanism of the Palermo Convention, adopted in Vienna by the Conference of the States Parties in October 2018, will be given number 9/1, instead of 9/2 as previously communicated. As a consequence, the reference included in OP6 of the current resolution should be amended accordingly.
Effective crime prevention and criminal justice are fundamental to international peace and development. As is the implementation of the rights of the person, including those who go through the criminal justice system. These are central elements of the Sustainable Development Agenda, and the international community universally recognizes them.
All policies that uphold human rights – especially the rights of those who are most vulnerable – must also encompass the fight against crime. Criminal phenomena exacerbate social tensions and divisions at the expense of the least fortunate, they drain public resources and they often violate fundamental human rights and freedoms.
The resolution that this Committee negotiated in recent weeks advances the commitment of Member States to implement the Palermo Convention and the relevant United Nations Programs fully and effectively.
This year’s text has achieved significant progress in a number of areas. We have effectively addressed sensitive issues, such as data collection and analysis, illegal financial flows, recovery of assets, cybercrime and ICTs, links between organized criminal and terrorist groups, the protection of cultural heritage, human rights, gender issues and the importance of investing in education and youth.
Moreover, this Committee has done a great job in ensuring coordination and coherence with other resolutions on related issues, including the GA resolution on anti-corruption and the resolutions adopted by ECOSOC and by the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ).
The Resolution also mentions the strong support for the review mechanisms of the UN Convention against Organized Crime adopted by the Conference of States Parties few weeks ago.
Very significantly, the Resolution asks the PGA to organize a high-level debate during the current GA session on the role of regional organizations in fighting organized crime. We look forward to the high-level debate as there are many concrete benefits that can come from greater cooperation and sharing of best practices among regional organizations in this area.
Finally, let me thank all delegations for their cooperation during the negotiation process and for sharing the relevance of the issues at hand.
In light of the progress made, I wish to invite you all to give positive consideration and to co-sponsor the Resolution.
I thank you.
