The United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute – commonly known as UNICRI - is one of the 5 global Research and Training Institutes of the United Nations which report to the UN Secretary General . Its main headquarters are located in Turin, Italy.

As specified by its motto, ‘Advancing Security, Serving Justice, Building Peace’, the aim of the Institute is to contribute to the formulation and implementation of sound security, crime prevention and criminal justice policies .

The Institute carries out its activities as a ‘first response broker’ through three main units: Justice, Protection and Ethics; Anti-human trafficking and Emerging Crimes; and the Security Governance/Counter-Terrorism Laboratory .

Within this framework, UNICRI carries out ‘applied research and technical cooperation’ . Examples of UNICRI’s activities include the following: studying major patterns in crime ; contribution to improved policy research ; analysis of international and national criminal justice strategies; and the establishment of national and international networks of information exchange in the field of counter-terrorism and security strategies ; and general training activities aimed at providing the highest calibre of law enforcement personnel and judicial practitioners.

Justice, Protection and Ethics

UNICRI justice, protection and ethics programmes aim to promote the rule of law and the adoption of international standards in the field of crime prevention and the protection of human rights. Within this framework, UNICRI seeks to strengthen the governance of judicial institutions and to support judicial reform and operational capacity building. Justice, Protection and Ethics programmes are carried out worldwide with a special regional focus on countries in transition in Africa, the Balkans and Latin America.Access to justice, in particular for vulnerable groups such as women and children at risk, rehabilitation and reintegration of victims of crimes into society is a top priority for the Institute. Activities to enhance civil society and institutional awareness on justice issues are also developed.Applied research activities include: legal technical assistance and interdisciplinary advanced training pertaining to juvenile justice; the protection of children’s rights; the treatment of offenders; countering corruption; and the prevention of violence against women. In this area, restorative justice, migration issues, bullying, victimization and asset recovery are among the latest activities planned.

Security Governance Counter-Terrorism Laboratory

The Institute is involved in implementing the UN Counter-Terrorism Strategy through its participation in the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF). Within the CTITF, the Laboratory is co-leader of three working groups: 'Radicalization and Extremism that lead to terrorism'; 'The Protection of Vulnerable Targets'; and 'Preventing and Responding to WMD attacks'.

Officially designated by the UN E/2006/28 ECOSOC Resolution, the Laboratory's International Permanent Observatory on Security Measures during Major Events (IPO) http://www.unicri-ipo.org/ provides security planning and preparation assistance to Member States. Other activities in this field include: EU-SEC II, working to set up a common long-term strategy for research and policy in the field of security during major events within the European Union; the Knowledge Management System on illicit trafficking of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) weapons; and the Programme of Excellence, aimed at increasing the level of knowledge and priority given to existing modes of multilateral cooperation. UNICRI is also implementing programmes in the field of witness protection, trafficking of precious metals, international criminal tribunals and urban security.

Security Governance Counter-Terrorism Laboratory official site

References

1. UN structure chart http://www.un.org/aboutun/chart_en.pdf
2. CLARK, (1989), Human Rights and the U.N. Committee on Crime Prevention and Control, The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science 506: 68-84
3. The European Institute for Crime Prevention and Control affiliated with the United Nations http://www.heuni.fi/12600.htm
4. [UNICRI website - www.unicri.it]
5. UNICRI website - www.unicri.it
6. Action Oriented Research: Strategies for Engaged Scholarship - http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/bpl/jomf/2005/00000067/00000004/art00012
7. South Africa's Position in Africa's Crime Rankings - http://www.iss.co.za/pubs/asr/9No4/Schonteich.html
8. Home Office United Kingdom, International Websites http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ERORecords/HO/415/1/crimprev/intadvice.htm
9. UNICRI International Permanent Observatory on Security During Major Events - http://www.unicri-ipo.org/index.php?module=CMpro&func=viewpage&pageid=19