Criminal Justice Systems
The Challenge:
The establishment of international standards and norms, and the enhancement of police capacities for crime prevention, are essential in improving regional criminal justice systems. It is also vital to establish and maintain the rule of law on the basis of equality, with particular attention to gender equality and the rights and vulnerabilities specific to children. Currently, some countries in the region lack laws for criminalising violence against women, while children are also sometimes treated as adults under the law. The region suffers from a lack of mutual legal assistance (MLA) capacity and networks. Prison management systems also vary significantly from country to country, and not always in line with international standards.
What we do:
UNODC seeks to improve regional criminal justice systems through the establishment of international standards and norms and the enhancement of police capacities for crime prevention.
The United Nations assists States with establishing and maintaining the rule of law on the basis of equality, with particular attention to gender equality and the rights and vulnerabilities specific to children. Some Southeast Asian countries lack laws for criminalizing violence against women, while children are sometimes also treated similarly to adults under the law. The region also suffers from a lack of mutual legal assistance (MLA) capacity and networks, obstructing efforts to combat transnational organized crime. Prison management systems vary significantly from country to country, and it is unclear if some are operating in line with international standards or commitments.
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