Statement by the International Development Law Organization (IDLO)
Excellencies,
It is a pleasure to address this Conference on behalf of the International Development Law Organization (IDLO), the only global intergovernmental organization exclusively devoted to promoting the rule of law to advance peace and sustainable development.
Drawing on IDLO’s 40 years of experience, partnering with some 100 countries, allow me to share three reasons why the rule of law is key to combatting transnational organized crime.
First, rule of law-based cross-border, coordinated, and cross-cutting approaches can improve governance, strengthen policy and legal frameworks, and enhance the capacities and collaboration of legal and justice actors.
This, in turn, promotes more effective investigations, prosecutions, and adjudications of various forms of transnational organized crime, including trafficking in persons.
In Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique, for example, IDLO is implementing a sub-regional programme to bolster policy and legal frameworks, strengthen resilience, and reinforce the capacities of investigators, prosecutors, and adjudicators and their ability to collaborate.
Second, the rule of law can advance gender equality in crime prevention and criminal justice, including by increasing the representation of women in law enforcement. This not only empowers women to fully exercise their rights but also enhances the effectiveness and fairness of legal systems, which is a necessary condition for progress towards SDG 16 and the entire 2030 Agenda.
In Liberia, IDLO is implementing a programme to combat trafficking in persons with a specific focus on boosting capacities of women in law enforcement. In partnership with the Liberia Female Law Enforcement Association (LIFLEA) and the Gender and Security Sector National Taskforce (GSSNT), IDLO’s Professional Development Fund Scholarship Programme supports women in law enforcement to acquire specialized skills and increase their chances of professional advancement.
Third, digital innovation can significantly contribute to closing the justice gap, while improving the cost-effectiveness, efficiency, transparency, and accountability of criminal justice systems.
Digital innovation can strengthen criminal justice systems, empower justice seekers, support good governance, and transform institutions to make them work for people.
In Kenya, for example, we supported our partners to harness digital solutions in crime prevention and criminal justice such as e-filing systems, virtual hearings, issuance of electronic court decisions, and digitized case management systems.
I would like to conclude, by emphasising the importance of partnerships and international cooperation. IDLO is pleased to participate in multiple partnerships, including with governments, civil society, UNODC, the G7, G20, OECD and the World Bank, to share best practices and promote coordinated actions.
IDLO remains committed to collaborating with all partners to implement the UNTOC and the Protocols thereto, as an essential part of realizing the 2030 Agenda.