By Anna Curry

The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) has commissioned a United Nations (UN) body dedicated to examining and analyzing issues related to crime prevention and criminal justice. The Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) was officially founded in 1992 and continues to review UN standards for criminal justice as well as interpreting Member States’ application of these principles. 

Although the Commission covers a variety of topics, this year’s Conference will focus on its two fundamental priorities: equal access to justice for all and international cooperation in combating transnational organized crime and corruption under Resolution 1992/22. 

Regarding the first principle, a vast array of Member States indicated that equal justice is vital to ensuring the rights of individuals as well as crime prevention. Six Member States even highlighted the fulfillment of their 2030 Sustainable Development Goals as a catalyst toward greater international assurance of equal justice. According to the Representative Larissa Glacomin of Ghana, the commission is specifically focused on “trying to make sure impoverished communities have an affordable and legal path to justice.”

In relation to the second commission priority, international cooperation in combating transnational organized crime and corruption, there is a wide consensus amongst Member States that trafficking and terrorism must be adequately discussed as a pillar of this priority. 

Among the many issues related to criminal justice and crime prevention, it appears human trafficking, drug proliferation, acts of terror and cybercrime will be very prevalent in committee conversations. Ultimately, the ECOSOC Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice hopes to have a report complete by the conclusion of the 2024 AMUN Conference.