Latest news with #CCPCJ
Hindustan Times
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Pak-based groups linked to terror attacks: India at UN meeting
India raised the links of proscribed Pakistan-based terror groups Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and their proxies to terror attacks ranging from the 2008 Mumbai attacks to the Pahalgam massacre at a United Nations meeting in Vienna and called for the early adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism. While delivering India's statement at the session of the UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ), Niraj Kumar Bansod, a joint secretary of the Union home ministry, emphasised that terrorism is an existential danger to global peace and security. Raising the role of Pakistan-based terror groups, he said: 'UN-proscribed terrorist groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad and their proxies have orchestrated attacks on Indian soil, leading to tragic loss of innocent lives.' 'Incidents such as the 2008 Mumbai attacks, the attacks in Uri and Pathankot in 2016, the 2019 Pulwama suicide bombing, and most recently, the heinous terror attack in Pahalgam where 26 tourists were shot dead, remain deeply etched in our national consciousness,' he said. India reiterated its resolve to eliminate all forms of terrorism and said it has been at the forefront of global efforts to combat the menace. 'We are signatory to 13 sectoral conventions on terrorism adopted by the United Nations, and we strongly advocate for the early adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism,' Bansod said. New Delhi first proposed the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism at the UN General Assembly in 1996, when it was dealing with Pakistan-backed terror in Jammu and Kashmir, and negotiations on the proposed treaty have been held up primarily because UN member states have not been able to agree on the definition of terrorism. The four-day meeting of the CCPCJ from May 19 was attended by more than 1,300 participants representing 134 member states, 64 non-governmental organisations, 15 intergovernmental organisations and 15 UN entities such as Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and Interpol. The Indian side has stepped up efforts to expose Pakistan's continuing support for terrorism targeting India at such global meetings and mechanisms in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terrorist attack of April 22. India's statement at the CCPCJ meeting said all forms of terrorism, 'irrespective of the motives behind terrorist act, can never be justified, and the perpetrators and supporters of such acts should be brought to justice'. This was in line with a statement issued by the UN Security Council calling for the perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack to be held accountable. Bansod also said that India has been an 'active participant in the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and other international platforms dedicated to countering the financing of terrorism'. The statement further highlighted that India has continuously strengthened its legal and enforcement mechanisms to counter the challenges posed by terrorism, illicit drug trafficking, cybercrime, corruption, and other transnational criminal activities. 'These issues are no longer confined by borders; they demand unified and decisive international cooperation,' Bansod said. Currently, seven teams of political leaders, parliamentarians and former diplomats are travelling across the world to inform key interlocutors of India's new approach to combating cross-border terrorism following the Pahalgam terror attack. India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terrorist infrastructure on Pakistani soil. This triggered four days of intense clashes that ended when India and Pakistan reached an understanding on stopping military actions on May 10. Indian officials have also hinted that New Delhi will push for placing Pakistan in the 'grey list' of the FATF at the financial watchdog's plenary meet in June by furnishing evidence that Islamabad failed to enforce anti-money laundering and counter-terror reforms and made no headway in prosecuting UN-designated terrorists. At the meeting in Vienna, India also pointed to the growing threat posed by cybercrime and said the government has adopted an integrated approach to this evolving challenge. 'We have established a robust legal and institutional framework to prosecute cyber offences effectively. The creation of the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) has enabled seamless information sharing among law enforcement agencies and relevant stakeholders,' Bansod said.
Arab Times
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Arab Times
Kuwait shares expertise to protect human rights
VIENNA, May 21: Kuwait's Assistant Foreign Minister for Human Rights Affairs Ambassador Sheikha Jawaher Al- Sabah affirmed that the State of Kuwait dedicates significant concern for broadening the cooperation with nations of the globe in the field of human rights. The fact that the State of Kuwait is a member of the UN Human Rights Council affirms its commitment to these rights, she said in a statement to KUNA during her first official visit to Austria where she met the director of human rights at the Austrian Foreign Ministry Ambassador at the department's headquarters during her participation in the meetings of the 34th session of the UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ). Sheikha Jawaher said her talks with the Austrian official dealt with means of boosting bilateral relations, swapping expertise in the human rights sphere and coordination between the two sides at international quarters and organizations. Kuwait pursues its efforts in support of international norms at this level through regional initiatives and continuous cooperation with international partners and relevant institutions, she added. Kuwait has been firmly committed to the UN principles regarding boosting justice and the rule of law, and it follows an inclusive approach linking security, justice and sustainable development, said a Kuwaiti official recently . Attorney General Justice Bader Al-Mosad announced this during a speech delivered before the 34th session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) kicked off earlier in the day in Vienna. He extolled efforts of Ghada Waly, Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in backing member states. He noted that Kuwait has modernized its legislations and judicial institutions to be compatible with its international commitments, referring to some prominent laws enacted on combating corruption, child rights and others, as part of Kuwait Vision 2035. In the speech, Al-Mosad reviewed Kuwait's efforts in human trafficking, pointing to the establishment of the national committee on human trafficking and the launch of the national strategy for 2025-2028 as well as updating foreigners' residency laws. Al-Mosad further highlighted the key role of Kuwait's Ministry of Interior in developing strategies of combating crime, mainly cybercrimes and illegal trafficking, through a method that respects human rights and enhances the rule of law. He reiterated Kuwait's belief in the importance of international collaboration and sharing expertise to face criminal challenges. Kuwait is committed to achieving sustainable development goals mainly the 16th one related to justice and peace, he said. He finally emphasized that Kuwait would continue to positively and constructively cooperate with international partners to cement justice and security globally.(KUNA)
The Star
21-05-2025
- The Star
South Africa ramps up efforts to combat environmental and organised crime
Environmental crimes severely endanger South Africa's ecosystems, economy, and communities. To address this increasing threat, strategies focusing on stronger law enforcement and increased global collaboration have been adopted. At the 34th session of the United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) in Vienna, SAPS social crime prevention head Major-General Thokozani Mathonsi shared the country's experiences with addressing new, emerging and evolving forms of crime, including crimes that affect the environment, smuggling of commercial goods and trafficking in cultural property, and other crimes targeting cultural property. Mathonsi said wildlife poaching and trafficking, marine and coastal offences, destruction of protected areas, and illegal mining of precious metals have major negative impacts across ecological, economic, social, and security sectors. Effective law enforcement against these crimes requires adequate resources and enhanced collaboration to improve detection and prosecution. 'To address this challenge, South Africa established the Environmental Enforcement Fusion Centre (EEFC), which analyses data sets and provides critical evidence, including information retrieved from seized electronic devices. The National Integrated Strategy to Combat Wildlife Trafficking (NISCWT) enhances law enforcement and prosecution collaboration,' Mathonsi said. He said that for South Africa, crimes affecting the environment constitute serious criminal offences and require cooperation among all Member States. In this context, South Africa looks forward to the intergovernmental expert group (IEG) on crimes that affect the environment to identify gaps in the current international legal framework and explore the merits of developing an additional protocol to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime (UNTOC). Mathonsi said South Africa is experiencing a significant increase in counterfeit goods, including clothing, liquor, cigarettes, and medicines. This poses a threat to the sustainability of the country's industries. 'To combat this crime, smuggled goods and misdeclared goods should be forfeited and destroyed,' he said. South Africa continues to struggle with cross-border organised fraud, compounded by the emergence of new technologies, making organised fraud detection difficult. 'To combat these crimes, we have adopted a legislative framework to ensure that mechanisms for the seizure and confiscation of assets related to organised fraud are effectively implemented. The police can apply for property preservation orders and asset forfeiture orders,' Mathonsi said. He stated that South Africa's enhanced collaboration between governments and financial institutions at bilateral and regional levels has improved the identification and disruption of organised fraudulent financial transactions through strengthened information sharing. He said a growing threat to criminal justice was the evolution of cybercrime, including artificial intelligence. Addressing this threat demands advanced resources and digital tools frequently lacking in developing nations. 'Member States should strengthen international cooperation by harmonising and aligning their national cybercrime legal frameworks to effectively counter cybercrime. The adoption of the first UN-based legally binding instrument on countering cybercrime would greatly enhance the fight against transnational organised crime and advance international cooperation in eliminating this growing threat.' He reported a rise in extortion-related crimes, like the construction mafia in South Africa. 'Law enforcement agencies have deployed additional capacity to clamp down on extortionists and gangs and established a multi-disciplinary team to investigate and arrest those behind incidents of gang violence and extortion.' Mathonsi added that to effectively combat crime, the police, community, and business sector must collaborate, recognising that it is a shared responsibility. An Interpol representative said the organisation developed a range of capabilities to combat environmental crimes: Interpol deploys global operations to address the transnational nature of crimes that affect the environment. Interpol-supported investigations help countries address the problem of illegal waste export and pollution crime. Interpol's secure I-24/7 communication system is being upgraded to Nexus for faster, structured global information exchange among law enforcement. It will enhance operational cooperation and handling of urgent requests related to financial crime, corruption, and environmental offences. [email protected]
IOL News
20-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
South Africa's call to the UN over dangers of cybercrime and organised crime
During the UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice session, Correctional Services Minister Pieter Groenewald stressed the significance of global cooperation in the fight against cybercrime. Image: Facebook/ Department of Correctional Services Correctional Services Minister Pieter Groenewald said Monday that international collaboration is essential for combating modern threats such as cybercrime, which erode the rule of law and negatively affect the quality of life for all citizens, particularly vulnerable populations. He also announced that South Africa is in the process of creating a National Transnational Organised Crime Strategy to address these issues. This formed part of South Africa's national statement at the 34th session of the United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) in Vienna, Austria. Groenewald said the CCPCJ is convening at a significant moment, as the international community marks the 10th anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, also known as the Nelson Mandela Rules and the 15th anniversary of the Bangkok Rules. He said these reflect the global consensus that the dignity and human rights of all persons, including those deprived of liberty, must be respected. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ 'As we confront new, evolving, and increasingly complex forms of crime, ranging from cybercrime to crimes that affect the environment, it is imperative that our justice systems remain firmly anchored in the rule of law and guided by the fundamental principles of human rights,' Groenewald said. 'In this context, South Africa welcomes the timely deliberations of this session, recognising that these emerging forms of crime pose a growing threat to global peace, security, and sustainable development. We welcome the theme's alignment with Actions 7 and 24 of the Pact for the Future and the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.' The Minister said that although South Africa supports the ongoing reform of the United Nations to enhance system-wide coherence and realignment of priorities and financial resources, it is concerned about the ongoing liquidity crisis facing the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and its adverse impact on programme delivery and technical assistance, particularly to developing countries. However, the country affirms its support for the role the UNODC plays in addressing transnational organised crime. 'South Africa calls for strengthened international cooperation to effectively address evolving threats, which undermine the rule of law and impact the quality of life of our citizens, particularly the most vulnerable, such as women, children and youth,' Groenewald said. 'In this regard, I wish to inform that South Africa is developing a National Transnational Organised Crime Strategy to prevent and combat transnational organised crime.' 'To enhance the fight against crime and ensure uniformity, Member States are encouraged to harmonise their legal frameworks by ratifying and implementing international legal treaties, such as the recently adopted UN Convention against Cybercrime, which serves as a pivotal international framework to combat cybercrime, strengthen international cooperation and facilitate technical assistance and capacity-building support, particularly for developing countries,' Groenewald continued. Groenewald urged Member States to sign and ratify the instrument for early entry into force and also adopt innovative crime prevention approaches to build a safer and more resilient world. Meanwhile, on behalf of the African Group, ambassador, permanent representative of Burkina Faso and chair of the Africa Group to the Permanent Missions to the United Nations in Vienna, Maimounata Ouattara, urged all United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) State Parties to impose a system-wide zero tolerance policy against corrupt practices and highlights the necessity to take urgent measures to prevent, prosecute and deter all forms of corruption, to strengthen international cooperation to effectively prevent and counter money laundering and illicit financial flows and enhance measures for the identification, tracing, freezing, seizure, return of assets and recovery of all proceeds of crime or corruption, to deny them safe havens through their eventual confiscation.
