24 May 1989

15th plenary meeting

International co-operation in combating organized crime

The Economic and Social Council,

Recalling the responsibility assumed by the United Nations in the field of crime prevention and criminal justice,

Concerned that organized crime has increased in many parts of the world and has become more transnational in character, leading, in particular, to the spread of such negative phenomena as violence, terrorism, corruption, illegal trade in narcotic drugs and, in general, undermining the development process, impairing the quality of life and threatening human rights and fundamental freedoms,

Taking into account the decisions of the Seventh United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders relating to organized crime, as well as views expressed on the matter by members of the Committee on Crime Prevention and Control,

Convinced of the need to strengthen international co-operation in combating organized crime,

Recognizing the pivotal role of the Committee on Crime Prevention and Control in providing guidance and the co-ordinating role to be played by the Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat, especially by the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Branch, in strengthening international co-operation in crime prevention and criminal justice,

1. Invites the Committee on Crime Prevention and Control to give special attention in its work to promoting international co-operation in combating organized crime;

2. Calls upon Governments, international organizations and interested non-governmental organizations to co-operate to that end with the Committee on Crime Prevention and Control and to submit to the Committee, through the Secretary-General, their proposals on strengthening international co-operation in combating organized crime;

3. Requests the Committee on Crime Prevention and Control to consider ways of strengthening international co-operation in combating organized crime, taking due account of the opinions of Governments, international organizations and non-governmental organizations, and to submit its views to the Economic and Social Council at its first regular session of 1992.