United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute
Encyclopedia
The United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute is one of the five United Nations
Research and Training Institutes. The Institute was founded in 1968 to assist the international community
in formulating and implementing improved policies in the field of crime prevention
and criminal justice
.
(ECOSOC) outlined in Resolution 1086
B (XXXIX) the organizational arrangements for a United Nations Social Defence Programme. In 1967 UN Secretary-General U Thant
issued Bulletin ST/SGB/134 which established the United Nations Social Defence Research Institute (UNSDRI), mandated to develop "new knowledge and the application thereof in advancing policy and practice in the prevention and control of both juvenile delinquency
and adult criminality" through research and technical support. In 1968, the United Nations and the Italian Government signed an agreement for the establishment of UNSDRI's Headquarters in Rome
and the Institute was formally inaugurated the following year by the UN Secretary-General.
In 1989, under ECOSOC Resolution No. 1989/56, the Institute was renamed the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI). Its mandate was enlarged through the adoption of its present statute. In 2000 UNICRI moved its Headquarters from Rome to Turin
.
UNICRI supports the formulation and implementation of improved policies in the field of crime prevention and justice, the promotion of national self-reliance and the development of institutional capabilities. The Institute works to advance the understanding of crime-related problems, supporting the respect for international instruments and standards; it facilitates the exchange and dissemination of information, cooperation in international law enforcement and judicial assistance.
UNICRI structures its activities to meet the identified needs of member states. Its programme activities arise from priorities identified by the UN Annual Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Commission. The Institute current priorities include, inter alia, activities related to organized crime
, judicial reform, juvenile justice, security and counter-terrorism
, major event security, international criminal law
, corruption, human trafficking
, victim protection, counterfeit
ing, cybercrime
, crimes against the environment
, and drug abuse
.
The Institute is a firm believer in the importance and benefits of close international and cross-regional cooperation. It encourages the sharing of information and experiences at all levels.
Operating from a flexible and responsive cooperation platform, the Institute offers advisory services, strategic assistance and action-oriented analysis across a wide spectrum of security topics. UNICRI cooperates with other entities of the United Nations and many other international and regional organizations to deliver coordinated response packages.
UNICRI is a member of The United Nations Counter Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF) which has a remit to implement the terms of the 2006 UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. Within the CTITF framework of activity, the Institute jointly leads two working groups, the first of which seeks to enhance the protection of vulnerable targets through the development of public/private initiatives. The second addresses issues surrounding radicalisation and extremism that lead to terrorism.
A special focus is given to education and training in developing countries, with support given to academic and para-academic institutions to assist them in the development of activities and initiatives designed to benefit the public at large. UNICRI also provides tailor-made, specialized training programmes for judicial personnel at the request of Member States.
The library holds more than 18,000 monographs; 1,250 journals and yearbooks; tens of thousands of documents produced by the United Nations System and other organizations; multimedia material; and grey literature on crime prevention and criminal justice issues. The centre offers on-line access to all its services, such as the library catalogue, the Criminological Thesaurus, bibliographic databases, directories, full-text articles, and abstracts of monographs.
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Research and Training Institutes. The Institute was founded in 1968 to assist the international community
International community
The international community is a term used in international relations to refer to all peoples, cultures and governments of the world or to a group of them. The term is used to imply the existence of common duties and obligations between them...
in formulating and implementing improved policies in the field of crime prevention
Crime prevention
Crime prevention is the attempt to reduce victimization and to deter crime and criminals. It is applied specifically to efforts made by governments to reduce crime, enforce the law, and maintain criminal justice.-Studies:...
and criminal justice
Criminal justice
Criminal Justice is the system of practices and institutions of governments directed at upholding social control, deterring and mitigating crime, or sanctioning those who violate laws with criminal penalties and rehabilitation efforts...
.
History
In 1965, the United Nations Economic and Social CouncilUnited Nations Economic and Social Council
The Economic and Social Council of the United Nations constitutes one of the six principal organs of the United Nations and it is responsible for the coordination of the economic, social and related work of 14 UN specialized agencies, its functional commissions and five regional commissions...
(ECOSOC) outlined in Resolution 1086
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1086
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1086, adopted unanimously on November 29, 1996, after recalling all relevant Security Council and General Assembly resolutions on Haiti, the Council decided to extend the United Nations Support Mission in Haiti for a final time, until May 31, 1997, unless...
B (XXXIX) the organizational arrangements for a United Nations Social Defence Programme. In 1967 UN Secretary-General U Thant
U Thant
U Thant was a Burmese diplomat and the third Secretary-General of the United Nations, from 1961 to 1971. He was chosen for the post when his predecessor, Dag Hammarskjöld, died in September 1961....
issued Bulletin ST/SGB/134 which established the United Nations Social Defence Research Institute (UNSDRI), mandated to develop "new knowledge and the application thereof in advancing policy and practice in the prevention and control of both juvenile delinquency
Juvenile delinquency
Juvenile delinquency is participation in illegal behavior by minors who fall under a statutory age limit. Most legal systems prescribe specific procedures for dealing with juveniles, such as juvenile detention centers. There are a multitude of different theories on the causes of crime, most if not...
and adult criminality" through research and technical support. In 1968, the United Nations and the Italian Government signed an agreement for the establishment of UNSDRI's Headquarters in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
and the Institute was formally inaugurated the following year by the UN Secretary-General.
In 1989, under ECOSOC Resolution No. 1989/56, the Institute was renamed the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI). Its mandate was enlarged through the adoption of its present statute. In 2000 UNICRI moved its Headquarters from Rome to Turin
Turin
Turin is a city and major business and cultural centre in northern Italy, capital of the Piedmont region, located mainly on the left bank of the Po River and surrounded by the Alpine arch. The population of the city proper is 909,193 while the population of the urban area is estimated by Eurostat...
.
Aims and functions
The Institute carries out action-oriented research, training and technical cooperation programmes, with the aim of assisting governments and the international community at large in tackling the threats that crime poses to social peace, development and political stability and in fostering the development of just and efficient justice systems.UNICRI supports the formulation and implementation of improved policies in the field of crime prevention and justice, the promotion of national self-reliance and the development of institutional capabilities. The Institute works to advance the understanding of crime-related problems, supporting the respect for international instruments and standards; it facilitates the exchange and dissemination of information, cooperation in international law enforcement and judicial assistance.
UNICRI structures its activities to meet the identified needs of member states. Its programme activities arise from priorities identified by the UN Annual Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Commission. The Institute current priorities include, inter alia, activities related to organized crime
Organized crime
Organized crime or criminal organizations are transnational, national, or local groupings of highly centralized enterprises run by criminals for the purpose of engaging in illegal activity, most commonly for monetary profit. Some criminal organizations, such as terrorist organizations, are...
, judicial reform, juvenile justice, security and counter-terrorism
Counter-terrorism
Counter-terrorism is the practices, tactics, techniques, and strategies that governments, militaries, police departments and corporations adopt to prevent or in response to terrorist threats and/or acts, both real and imputed.The tactic of terrorism is available to insurgents and governments...
, major event security, international criminal law
International criminal law
International criminal law is a body of international law designed to prohibit certain categories of conduct commonly viewed as serious atrocities and to make perpetrators of such conduct criminally accountable for their perpetration. Principally, it deals with genocide, war crimes, crimes against...
, corruption, human trafficking
Human trafficking
Human trafficking is the illegal trade of human beings for the purposes of reproductive slavery, commercial sexual exploitation, forced labor, or a modern-day form of slavery...
, victim protection, counterfeit
Counterfeit
To counterfeit means to illegally imitate something. Counterfeit products are often produced with the intent to take advantage of the superior value of the imitated product...
ing, cybercrime
Computer crime
Computer crime, or cybercrime, refers to any crime that involves a computer and a network. The computer may have been used in the commission of a crime, or it may be the target. Netcrime refers to criminal exploitation of the Internet. Such crimes may threaten a nation’s security and financial health...
, crimes against the environment
Environmental crime
Environmental crime can be broadly defined as illegal acts, which directly harmthe environment. International bodies such as the G8, Interpol, EU, UN Environment Programme and the UN Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute have recognised the following environmental crimes:* Illegal...
, and drug abuse
Substance abuse
A substance-related disorder is an umbrella term used to describe several different conditions associated with several different substances .A substance related disorder is a condition in which an individual uses or abuses a...
.
The Institute is a firm believer in the importance and benefits of close international and cross-regional cooperation. It encourages the sharing of information and experiences at all levels.
Location
The United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute has its Headquarters on the United Nations Campus in Turin, Italy. It also has a Liaison Office in Rome and offices around the world.Activities
The UNICRI Applied Research Programme is organized into three main areas:- Emerging Crimes
- Security Governance and Counter Terrorism
- Training and Advanced Education.
Emerging crimes
The Emerging Crimes Unit is actively involved in efforts to reduce the impact of emerging crimes such as trafficking in human beings; corruption; crimes against the environment; counterfeiting and cybercrimes. The Emerging Crimes Unit also acts to protect those at most risk of being victimized, including women and underage victims of trafficking; youth at risk or in conflict with the law; and the victims of counterfeiting - both consumers and legitimate producers.Security governance and counter terrorism
Projects in this area focus on terrorism prevention; security during major events; protection of vulnerable targets; prevention of radicalization; and prevention of illicit trafficking of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear materials. Activities are specifically designed to offer Member States a comprehensive range of effective strategies to prevent acts of terrorism and to enhance institutional capacity through effective security governance whilst upholding the rule of law and respect for human rights.Operating from a flexible and responsive cooperation platform, the Institute offers advisory services, strategic assistance and action-oriented analysis across a wide spectrum of security topics. UNICRI cooperates with other entities of the United Nations and many other international and regional organizations to deliver coordinated response packages.
UNICRI is a member of The United Nations Counter Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF) which has a remit to implement the terms of the 2006 UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. Within the CTITF framework of activity, the Institute jointly leads two working groups, the first of which seeks to enhance the protection of vulnerable targets through the development of public/private initiatives. The second addresses issues surrounding radicalisation and extremism that lead to terrorism.
Training and advanced education
As part of its commitment to sharing knowledge between nations around the world, UNICRI provides many training programmes and educational courses on issues relating to crime prevention and criminal justice. It maintains partnerships with many universities and educational institutes to assist in running its courses. Courses offered include:- Master of Laws in International Crime and Justice (LL.M.)
- International Summer School on Migration - Challenges and Opportunities for Europe
A special focus is given to education and training in developing countries, with support given to academic and para-academic institutions to assist them in the development of activities and initiatives designed to benefit the public at large. UNICRI also provides tailor-made, specialized training programmes for judicial personnel at the request of Member States.
UNICRI Documentation Centre
The centre is a major resource of crime-prevention related material and is available to researchers worldwide for use in the development and implementation of technical interventions and research. It also supports training activities and organizes initiatives targeting the general public. The activities of the centre include the collection, analysis and dissemination of legislative, statistical and bibliographic documents in the library.The library holds more than 18,000 monographs; 1,250 journals and yearbooks; tens of thousands of documents produced by the United Nations System and other organizations; multimedia material; and grey literature on crime prevention and criminal justice issues. The centre offers on-line access to all its services, such as the library catalogue, the Criminological Thesaurus, bibliographic databases, directories, full-text articles, and abstracts of monographs.