For information only - not an official document

UNIS/CP/820
13 April 2015

Spotlight on human dignity, justice at high-level debate on rule of law and development

DOHA/VIENNA, 13 April (UN Information Service, Vienna) - The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is committed to efforts to oppose the criminals who sabotage the rule of law and sustainable development, UNODC Executive Director Yury Fedotov told a packed audience today at a high-level event at the 13th Crime Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Doha.

"Together, we can advance justice and uphold human dignity, and confront the criminals who undermine the rule of law and sustainable development," said Mr. Fedotov.

Acknowledging the importance of protecting the sustainable development goals from crime, Mr. Fedotov said major efforts were needed to ensure that the UN provides an integrated approach.

The UNODC chief emphasized that coordination was essential to promote genuine participation and ownership by countries. Mr. Fedotov said countries needed clear, meaningful targets to uphold their commitments as well as to bolster international cooperation founded on the spirit of shared responsibility.

Mr. Fedotov was speaking at a high-level special event held on the margins of the 13th Crime Congress titled, "The Rule of Law, Human Rights and the Post-2015 Agenda."  

In closing remarks, Mr. Fedotov said, "It leaves no doubt that responsive, transparent and strong institutions that operate in accordance with the rule of law and promote justice are essential for overcoming poverty, and realizing human rights and fundamental freedoms."

Other speakers included President of the 69th Session of the UN General Assembly Sam Kutesa; President of ECOSOC Martin Sajdik; Minister of Foreign Affairs, State of Qatar, Khalid Bin Mohammed Al-Attiyah; Assistant Secretary-General of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Ivan Simonovic; Assistant Secretary-General Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), Dmitry Titov; former President of Slovenia, Danilo Turk; Minister of Justice of Italy, Andrea Orlando; Minister of Justice of Thailand, Paiboon Khumchaya; and UN Development Programme Assistant Secretary-General Magdy Martinez-Soliman. 

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Follow the Live webcast of the UN Crime Congress on UN Web TV at: http://webtv.un.org
All archived videos are available at: http://bit.ly/1DuYElB

For further information please contact:

Martin Nesirky
Spokesperson for the 13 th UN Crime Congress
Tel: (+974) 55726047
Email: martin.nesirky[at]unvienna.org

Fethi Debabbi
Deputy Spokesperson for the 13 th UN Crime Congress
Tel: (+974) 66695242

For further information about the media arrangements please contact:

Anne Thomas
Information Officer
Tel: (+974) 66882624
Email: anne.thomas[at]unvienna.org

Veronika Crowe-Mayerhofer
Tel: (+974) 6668925