"Crime Prevention comprises strategies and measures that seek to reduce the risk of crimes occurring, and their potential harmful effects on individuals and society, including fear of crime, by intervening to influence their multiple causes." ( Guidelines for the Prevention of Crime, Economic and Social Council resolution 2002/13, Annex).
Preventing crime and strengthening criminal justice systems lies at the heart of the work of UNODC and is a prerequisite for fighting transnational organized crime, drug trafficking, corruption and terrorism. UNODC's mandate focuses on the creation of strategies, plans, and programmes, which are multi-sectoral, multi-disciplinary, and which favor civil society participation as it is acknowledged that the causes for crime are numerous and diverse.
Well-planned crime prevention strategies not only prevent crime and victimization, but also promote community safety and contribute to the sustainable development of countries. Effective and responsible crime prevention enhances the quality of life of all citizens. Its basic principles, as identified in the UN Guidelines are: Government Leadership, Socio-Economic Development and Inclusion, Cooperation and Partnerships, Sustainability and Accountability, Knowledge Base, Human Rights/Rule Of Law/Culture Of Lawfulness, Interdependency, Differentiation.
Crime prevention and reinforcing criminal justice is closely linked to the overall economic and social development, and even more so in fragile and poor countries. In the specific case of Afghanistan and its Neighbouring countries, crime weakens the state and the societal structures undermining their development potential. Hence, the UNODC mandate is vital for the overall development of this region.
The Sub-Programme 2 contributes to crime prevention and the strengthening of criminal justice systems in Afghanistan and the neighboring countries through the roll out and implementation of trainings and capacity building activities for officials of relevant government agencies and ministries. Activities under this thematic area aim at building/strengthening cooperation at regional and international level and reinforcing institutional capacities on different technical subjects such as: investigation and prosecution of cyber-crime, trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants, transfer of sentenced persons, controlled delivery and others