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  United Nations Crime and Justice Information Network in Vienna

  More about Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice at the UN website in NY

  Rules of Procedure of the Functional Commissions of ECOSOC

In this context of strengthening international cooperation in the field of crime prevention and criminal justice, a Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice was established by the Economic and Social Council in February 1992.

The Commission consists of 40 members elected by the Council on the basis of the principle of equitable geographical distribution as follows: African States (12), Asian States (9), Latin American and Caribbean States (8), Western European and other States (7), Eastern European States (4). The size and geographical distribution of the Commission may be reviewed two years after its first session.

The Commission's main functions are: to provide policy guidance to the United Nations in the field of crime prevention and criminal justice; develop, monitor and review the implementation of the United Nations Crime Prevention Programme; facilitate and help to coordinate the activities of the interregional and regional institutes on the prevention of crime and the treatment of offenders; mobilize the support of Member States; and prepare the United Nations congresses on the prevention of crime and the treatment of offenders.

Secretariat services are provided to the Commission by the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Branch of the Center for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs, located at the United Nations Office at Vienna.

(Extracted from: United Nations Action in the field of Human Rights, Sales No. E. 94.XIV.11)