Law and Crime Prevention

UN Secretary-General António Guterres addressing the opening of the 14th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, via video.
UN/DGC

Kyoto Crime Congress opens with declaration to tackle growing crime threats, promote inclusive COVID-19 recovery

7 March 2021
Global

Held in an innovative hybrid format amid COVID-19 restrictions, the 14th UN Congress on criminal justice opened on Sunday in Kyoto with calls for renewing global cooperation against crime to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and recover from the pandemic.

International Criminal Court Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda. (file photo)
ICC

ICC Prosecutor opens probe into alleged crimes in occupied Palestine

4 March 2021
Middle East

The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) said on Wednesday that her Office has started an investigation into crimes allegedly committed in Occupied Palestinian Territory. 

Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
Unsplash/Ali Guddam

Saudi Arabia commutes three death sentences, UN experts call for charges to be dropped 

3 March 2021
Middle East

Independent UN human rights experts welcomed on Wednesday Saudi Arabia’s decision to commute the death sentences of three men for crimes they had allegedly committed when they were minors, and urged the Kingdom to overturn their convictions and release them. 

 

Malaysian customs officials show a seized illegal shipment of ivory.
TRAFFIC

FROM THE FIELD: Taming the illegal wildlife trafficking trade

3 March 2021
Global

Cargo ships have become increasingly favoured over the last year as a means for criminal organizations to transport illegal wildlife products, , after COVID-19 related restrictions disrupted other forms of transportation.

Ecuador advocates for greater control of money laundering from illicit activities. (file)
UNODC

Financial transparency, 'sound governance and accountability’ essential to reach Global Goals

25 February 2021
Global

Financial integrity is “paramount to the success of the 2030 Agenda”, the President of the UN General Assembly said on Thursday, launching a new report that offers a blueprint to address a range of obstacles, particularly surrounding illicit finance flows. 

'Reconciliation' bracelets given to members of an indigenous community in Nariño, Colombia, as part of the country's peace process.
UN Verification Mission in Colombia/Nadya González

Probes on extrajudicial killings, ‘important step’ in fighting impunity in Colombia – UN rights office

19 February 2021
Americas

The UN human rights office, OHCHR, welcomed on Friday, progress on the investigation in Colombia of people falsely presented as having been killed in combat as "an important step in fighting impunity". 

Women walking past Indian security forces in Srinagar, summer capital of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Nimisha Jaiswal/IRIN

Loss of autonomy in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir threatens minorities’ rights – UN independent experts

18 February 2021
Asia Pacific

India’s decision to end autonomy in Jammu and Kashmir and restrict the participation of minorities in political and other activities sparked the concern of two UN-appointed independent human rights experts, on Thursday.

A Venezuelan family who fled violence now shelters in Cucuta, Colombia.
©UNICEF/Arcos

Stop criminalizing civil society, UN rights experts urge Venezuelan authorities 

18 February 2021
Americas

United Nations independent human rights experts called on Thursday for the authorities in Venezuela to stop “continuous and increasing” attacks and intimidation against civil society organizations and journalists in the country.

Aicha was raped on numerous occasions after which her husband left her.
ICC-CPI/Rena Effendi

FROM THE FIELD: Life after conflict in the Central African Republic

16 February 2021
Africa

Behind each case brought to the International Criminal Court (ICC), lie countless personal stories of horror, trauma and, sometimes, hope. “Life after conflict”, a photo-led series published by the ICC, shows the devastating impact that war crimes have on people’s lives.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet. (file)
UN News/Daniel Johnson

Paraguay: UN rights chief calls for ‘prompt, independent’ probe into girl deaths and disappearance 

5 February 2021
Africa

Following the disappearance in Paraguay of a teenage girl and killing of two 11-year-olds, the UN human rights chief has expressed her deep concern, also noting on Friday other disturbing elements of abuse against women and girls, surrounding the cases.