24 May 1989

15th plenary meeting

African Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders

The Economic and Social Council,

Recalling its resolution 1984/51 of 25 May 1984, by which it urged the Secretary-General and all the organizations and agencies involved in the establishment of the African Regional Institute for Crime Prevention and the Treatment of Offenders to take steps to ensure its prompt creation and appealed to Governments in the African region to co-operate fully and act expeditiously in this respect,

Affirming the usefulness of regional co-operation in crime prevention and criminal justice as fostered by the United Nations regional and interregional institutes for the prevention of crime and the treatment of offenders, which have played pivotal roles in assisting the Member States of their respective regions,

Bearing in mind that the Conference of Ministers of the Economic Commission for Africa, by resolution 642 (XXIII) of 15 April 1988, adopted the statute of the Institute and decided that its headquarters should be located at Kampala,

Acknowledging with satisfaction the activities so far undertaken during the initial operation of the Institute and the efforts made by the Economic Commission for Africa, in co-operation with the Organization of African Unity and the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Branch of the Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs, towards the full realization of the project,

Noting with appreciation the responsiveness of the United Nations Development Programme in earmarking the necessary funds for the initial phase of the Institute,

Firmly convinced that the Institute should undertake its activities on a continuous basis, so as to respond promptly and efficiently to the needs and concerns of the African States, meet their training and research requirements in the field of crime prevention and criminal justice, and contribute to existing regional and international efforts directed towards the prevention of crime and the treatment of offenders,

1. Expresses its appreciation to the Secretary-General for the steps taken to establish the African Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders;

2. Requests the Secretary-General to continue making every effort to ensure adequate support for the Institute, through the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Branch of the Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs, and to explore other means of ensuring the effective operation of the Institute;

3. Urges the Secretary-General and all the organizations and agencies involved in the establishment of the Institute to make every effort to assist the host country in arrangements necessary for the effective operation of the Institute;

4. Invites Member States in the African region and other interested States to contribute generously to the activities of the Institute to enable it to formulate and implement technical co-operation projects;

5. Invites the international community, including governmental and non-governmental organizations, to respond positively to the need for assistance and support, which would enable the Institute to fulfil its mandates effectively;

6. Urges the United Nations Development Programme to continue providing the necessary financial support to the Institute, and appeals to other funding agencies to do likewise;

7. Requests the Secretary-General to issue special postage stamps on the occasion of the Eighth United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders, to be held in 1990, and to place the revenue earned at the disposal of the Institute for the formulation and implementation of specific technical assistance projects in the African region;

8. Invites the United Nations interregional and regional institutes for the prevention of crime and the treatment of offenders to strengthen existing collaboration with the African Institute, promote a regular exchange of information and experience and implement joint activities of mutual interest;

9. Requests the Secretary-General, to submit a report on the implementation of the present resolution to the Economic and Social Council at its first regular session of 1990.