Towards stronger international co-operation on crime prevention: Commission welcomes adoption of Kyoto declaration

In a statement delivered on 7 March, Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson welcomed the adoption of the Kyoto Declaration on advancing crime prevention, criminal justice and the Rule of Law by the United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice. Under the declaration, UN member countries commit to advancing crime prevention and the criminal justice system. The declaration pays specific attention to addressing the root causes of crime, safeguarding victims' rights and protecting witnesses, addressing children's vulnerabilities to abuse and exploitation, improving prison conditions, reducing reoffending through rehabilitation and reintegration into society, removing impediments to the advancement of women in law enforcement and ensuring equal access to justice and affordable legal aid. The declaration also stresses the need to promote the Rule of Law, notably through securing the integrity and impartiality of the criminal justice system as well as the independence of the judiciary, and to strengthen international cooperation to prevent and address crime and terrorism. The EU has rules and tools in place to fight crime, including legislation on freezing and confiscating the proceeds of crime, EU rules on combating terrorism, recently agreed rules on countering the spread of terrorist content online as well as an independent European Public Prosecutor's Office. In addition, a new Rule of Law mechanism with a first EU Rule of Law report published last year helps promoting the rule of law culture in the EU. The actions to be taken under the declaration will contribute to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

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