‘Global programme for Doha Declaration strengthens judicial integrity’

The State of Qatar has stressed that the Global Programme for the Implementation of the Doha Declaration, being carried out by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) with the support of Qatar, contributes to the strengthening judicial integrity, preventing corruption in the judicial system, promoting the rehabilitation and reintegration of prisoners into society, and spreading a culture of respect for the law among children and youth through education and sports.

This came in Qatar’s statement before the Third Committee (Social, Human and Cultural Committee) of the UN General Assembly on the two items: “Crime Prevention and Social Justice” and “International Drug Control”.

The statement was delivered by Hassan Muhanna al-Ajmi, a member of Qatar’s delegation taking part in the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly.

He added that the efforts being made at the national, regional and international levels to combat crime and the scourge of drugs, as well as to strengthen criminal justice systems, would support the rule of law and contribute to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Plan 2030.

Al-Ajmi noted the important role played by the UNODC through its activities to promote justice and security and support member states in the fight against transnational organised crime, corruption, terrorism, and human trafficking.

He revealed that the number of beneficiaries of capacity-building activities within the Global Programme for the Implementation of the Doha Declaration has reached more than 4,000 stakeholders, including policy makers, judges, academics, teachers, sports trainers, children and youth from more than 160 countries.

Al-Ajmi said that 23 countries have received direct technical assistance to meet their needs, as stated in the report of the UN secretary general.

Recognising the importance of addressing the dangers of organised crime and its implications for development efforts, Qatar had ratified the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime and its Special Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons Especially Women and Children, he said.

In response to the Qatar National Vision 2030, the first and second national development strategy set out a sectoral strategy for security and safety, as the second national development strategy (2018-2022) included a goal to protect society from drugs through the implementation of projects in rehabilitation and training those working in the field of combating drugs and their supporters, and raising awareness about the dangers of drugs, al-Ajmi said.

As part of Qatar’s efforts to combat human trafficking at the national and international levels, the National Committee for Combating Human Trafficking organised the fifth session of the Interpol Global Conference in Doha, he added.

Qatar, al-Ajmi said, plays a leading role in facilitating negotiations on the organisation of the high-level meeting of the UN General Assembly.

He added that Qatar is proud to have taken an advanced position in the fight against corruption in the global rankings of Transparency International, thanks to measures it has taken to fulfil its obligations towards the anticorruption convention.

Al-Ajmi also pointed out that Qatar has also continued to present His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad alThani International Anti-Corruption Excellence Award, which is granted every year those to individuals and institutions that have demonstrated vision, innovation, enthusiasm, commitment and dedication to tackle corruption.