24 May 1990

13th Plenary Meeting

1990/23. Continuation of preparations for the Eighth United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders

The Economic and Social Council,

Recalling General Assembly resolutions 415 (V) of 1 December 1950, 32/60 of 8 December 1977, 41/107 of 4 December 1986, 42/59 of 30 November 1987, 43/99 of 8 December 1988 and 44/72 of 8 December 1989,

Recalling also Economic and Social Council resolutions 1987/49 of 28 May 1987 and 1989/69 of 24 May 1989,

Bearing in mind that the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council have reaffirmed in numerous resolutions the importance of the United Nations congresses on the prevention of crime and the treatment of offenders as global events providing a forum for the exchange of expertise and experience in priority areas and for the development of policy options and international co-operation in the field of crime,

Having considered the report of the Secretary-General on the continuation of preparations for the Eighth United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders,

1. Takes note of the reports of the regional preparatory meetings for the Eighth United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders, held in 1989;

2. Approves the organization of work for the Eighth Congress, as proposed by the Secretary-General in his report;

3. Commends the Secretary-General of the Eighth Congress for the important work done in preparing for the Congress, in spite of the limited resources available;

4. Expresses its appreciation to the Committee on Crime Prevention and Control, which, as the preparatory body for the Congress, has provided overall guidance;

5. Endorses the recommendations contained in the reports of the regional preparatory meetings for the Eighth Congress, as reviewed by the Committee on Crime Prevention and Control, and recommends that the Congress approve them;

6. Approves the documentation for the Eighth Congress, which was reviewed by the Committee on Crime Prevention and Control at its tenth and eleventh sessions;

7. Notes with satisfaction the preparations for the two workshops to be held during the Eighth Congress, one on alternatives to imprisonment and the other on computerization of the administration of criminal justice;

8. Invites all Governments to attend the Congress at the highest appropriate level;

9. Invites Governments to finalize their national preparations for the Eighth Congress, including the submission of national papers, and to consider including members of the Committee on Crime Prevention and Control and national correspondents in their delegations to the Congress;

10. Welcomes the organization of ancillary meetings of professional groups during the Congress;

11. Urges the regional commissions, the regional and interregional institutes for crime prevention and the treatment of offenders, the specialized agencies and other entities within the United Nations system, other intergovernmental organizations concerned, non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council, professional organizations and experts to attend the Eighth Congress;

12. Decides to transmit to the Eighth Congress the draft resolutions recommended by the Committee on Crime Prevention and Control at its eleventh session.