UN chief urges governments to ensure rule of law, human rights

(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Secretary General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon Sunday stressed the need to fight crimes of all types as there could be no development without the rule of law.

He urged international governments to adapt to the changes and fight against all types of crimes including new and emerging crimes such as cybercrimes.

"Crime threatens peace and security, hinders development and violates human rights," he observed.

He also highlighted that peace and security, development and human rights, the three major pillars of the UN, are all the more pivotal this year as UN will consider a post-2015 development agenda later this year.

Speaking at the opening session of the 13th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Doha, Ban said: "Our goal is for the world to speak and to say with one clear voice, 'today was a better day than yesterday, and tomorrow will be better than today."

He said: "We must also adapt to changing times. Cybercrime has now become a business which exceeds billions of dollars a year in online fraud, identity theft and lost intellectual property. It affects millions of people around the world, as well as businesses and governments.'

He exhorted the participants to address the growing links between organised crime and terrorism. "Like never before, terrorists and criminals around the world are coming together and feeding off each other. They are funding terror through criminal networks and growing rich through the suffering of entire populations."

The secretary general urged the congress to take a comprehensive approach to address extremism, trafficking, money laundering, corruption and a range of related issues. "There will always be crime and there will always be extremists. But we must work to stop crime and extremism being seen as attractive or necessary options € especially by youth. That is why we are focused on equitable, sustainable development.

"This September, member states of the UN will consider a post-2015 development agenda that can pave the way to a better future for billions of people. Success requires that the new agenda and sustainable development goals reflect the centrality of the rule of law."

Ban encouraged every country to ratify and implement the conventions against drugs, crime and corruption, and the international instruments against terrorism, and to support the important and varied work of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

The UN chief pointed out that strengthening legal rights helps to address inequalities and international cooperation and coordination are critical especially in combating transnational organised crime and terrorism.

Ban also talked about crimes such as growing atrocities against women, drug related violence, human trafficking, bonded labour, sexual slavery and threat to wild life.

He referred to the Qatari capital saying Doha in Arabic means 'big tree' and "the city has grown with ambition and energy, like a spirited sapling, into the modern metropolis we see today".

UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice is the world's largest and most diverse gathering of governments, civil society, academia and experts in crime prevention and criminal justice.