59 non-governmental stakeholders, including two representatives from Institut de diplomatie publique, participated in the 2023 Constructive Dialogue on Technical Assistance together with representatives from governments, international and regional organizations.
United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC Review Mechanism) is a peer review process that supports States parties to the Convention in the effective implementation of this instrument. After the first two years of its application and 189 countries under review, the commitment of State parties to include the participation of non-governmental stakeholders in this process remains a critical component to ensuring a comprehensive approach to implementing the Convention.
During the Dialogue, public diplomacy practitioners had the opportunity to be briefed on the status of the review process carried out within the framework of the UNTOC Review Mechanism as well as on the outcomes of the 14th meeting of the Working Group of Government Experts on Technical Assistance.
The panel discussions focused on the needs for technical assistance arising in the prevention of organized crime with a special emphasis on the development of strategies to combat organized crime and on the importance of data collection and analytical processes to support the mainstreaming of gender and human rights in the implementation of UNTOC.
Delegation from the Institute
O. Weretelnik (PhD),
The Constructive Dialogue is a unique opportunity for public diplomacy practitioners to talk with State parties and relevant stakeholders, including non-governmental organizations, in a transparent manner, trying to find the way to work jointly against transnational organized crime.
Nissi L. Ikenna-Amadi Nee Kalio (Ph.D.)
Gender plays a key role in resilience to organized crime and we at Institut de diplomatie publique are exploring how to shape more inclusive policies.
Dr. Nissi Kalio, Doctor/PhD member of the Institute, emphasized that Organized crime is committed to all and sundry, involving diverse genders as perpetrators and victims. Imperatively, a gender, human
rights and victim centered approaches will be key in countering organized crime.
Gender shapes our experiences as humans, it plays a significant role in the scheme relating to organized crime. It will be important that we recognize patterns and trends in building solutions that are appealing to both men and women as crime affects both men and women, with varying risk and victimization profiles. Gender dimensions to organized crimes and underlying the need for a gender-centered interventions to protect human beings (victims; discriminating, marginalized and vulnerable) from these crimes. Greater attention should be paid to gender perspectives as combating organized crime requires a multifaceted approach to restrict perpetrators (terrorists) and to strengthen the rule of law globally for increased transparency and accountability. Organized crimes are targeted at either individual, group of individuals or nation (s) as victims. In order to protect and support victims of organized crime,
the adaptation of an approach that encourages investigations emanating from victims narration of an incidence is vital and to corporate with agencies and institutions where necessary in identifying criminals for prosecution. The approach will require a centralized reporting platform either online and in person irrespective of nation or distance. Taking advantage and applying technological innovations for global purpose, creating awareness on member states on the centralized point. A regulatory team in all member states for immediate distress response and actions to verify victims claims and begin the prosecution process. In view of the above approaches, this serves as a medium for protecting human rights and self-worth of victims and it also portrays the rights of citizens to be part of the crusade in combating organized crime irrespective of gender. In addition, there should be a provision that protects the right of vulnerable citizens from undue influence by perpetrators of organized crime even where the perpetrators of such crime is a corrupt institution/government.
The summary of the discussions, including the written contribution from Institut de diplomatie publique, was published on the webpage of the 2023 Constructive Dialogue on Technical Assistance.