24 May 1989

15th plenary meeting

United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Administration of Juvenile Justice (The Beijing Rules)

The Economic and Social Council,

Recalling General Assembly resolution 40/33 of 29 November 1985,

Recalling also section II of Economic and Social Council resolution 1986/10 of 21 May 1986, entitled "Juvenile justice and the prevention of juvenile delinquency",

Aware of the exemplary role of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Administration of Juvenile Justice (The Beijing Rules), in promoting the development, improvement and reform of juvenile justice systems world wide,

Emphasizing the need to promote continued progress and reform in the administration of juvenile justice and to ensure universal and effective recognition of, and respect for, the legitimate rights and interests of juveniles in conflict with the law,

1. Expresses its satisfaction with the report of the Secretary-General concerning the implementation of General Assembly resolution 40/33 and related resolutions on juvenile justice;

2. Expresses its appreciation of the efforts of Member States, specialized agencies, regional commissions and institutes of the United Nations system, intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, individual experts, policy makers and practitioners, as well as the United Nations Secretariat, to promote the principles of the Beijing Rules;

3. Calls upon Member States that have not yet done so to apply the Beijing Rules and to submit information thereon to the Secretary-General;

4. Invites Member States to exchange views and information on their experiences and progress in implementing the Beijing Rules and to undertake multifaceted co-operation;

5. Urges Member States to provide funds for model projects which promote the principles of the Beijing Rules at the national, regional and interregional levels;

6. Requests the Secretary-General:

(a) To continue to promote concerted regional and international action and co-operation in connection with the Beijing Rules;

(b) To continue to disseminate the Beijing Rules widely in all official languages of the United Nations and to assist those countries that have not yet done so to translate the text of the Rules into their national languages and disseminate them for the benefit of those working in the field of juvenile justice;

(c) To promote the letter and spirit of the Beijing Rules wherever possible, especially in all programmes of the United Nations relating to young persons;

(d) To ensure effective programme interlinkages within the United Nations system between juvenile justice, within the framework of the Beijing Rules, and situations of "social risk", especially youthful drug abuse, child abuse, child sale and trafficking, child prostitution and street children;

(e) To conduct collaborative research on various aspects of juvenile justice administration, with emphasis on innovative and effective programming, and to develop training programmes, material and curricula for juvenile justice personnel;

(f) To provide the necessary technical assistance to Member States, particularly the developing countries, in implementing the Beijing Rules, developing projects and evaluating achievements;

(g) To allocate the necessary funds for activities relating to the Beijing Rules, especially pilot projects;

7. Invites the International Labour Organisation, the United Nations Children's Fund, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the World Health Organization to promote and apply the principles of the Beijing Rules in all activities and programmes of relevance to young persons;

8. Calls upon the Department of Technical Co-operation for Development of the United Nations Secretariat and the United Nations Development Programme to support projects of technical assistance, to co-operate in promoting activities in the field of juvenile justice, and to invite other funding agencies within and outside the United Nations system to provide financial support for programmes relating to the administration of juvenile justice;

9. Requests the United Nations regional commissions and institutes for the prevention of crime and the treatment of offenders to intensify efforts to promote the Beijing Rules, both in their work programmes and their project and advisory activities;

10. Decides that the Eighth United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders should consider the progress achieved in the implementation of the Beijing Rules, and that the Secretary-General should submit an updated report thereon for consideration under item 6 of the provisional agenda for the Congress.