United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI)

United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Instituteunicri

What is UNICRI?

UNICRI is as an autonomous institution established in 1967 by the Economic and Social Council Resolution urging an expanded United Nations activity in crime prevention and criminal justice. Its mission is to formulate and implement improved policies in the field of crime prevention and justice. In line with its mandate, UNICRI assist intergovernmental, governmental and non-governmental organizations in:

                 advancing understanding of crime-related problems;

                 identifying appropriate strategies, policies and instruments;

                 fostering just and efficient criminal justice systems;

                 supporting the respect of international instruments and standards;

                 and facilitating international law enforcement and judicial cooperation.

UNICRI is governed by a Board of Trustees composed of eminent experts. The Institute’s staff cover a wide range of expertise in the management of research, training and technical cooperation, and are supported by highly qualified consultants selected according to project requirements.

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What UNICRI does

Crime is a common concern both for governments and citizens across the globe. As crime becomes increasingly internationalized, new forms of crime emerge, and organized crime spreads, national responses and international cooperation are required in the fields of crime prevention and criminal justice. UNICRI supports governments and the international community at large in tackling criminal threats to social peace, development and political stability. UNICRI’s programmes aim to promote national self-reliance and the development of institutional capabilities. To this end, UNICRI provides a one-stop facility offering high-level expertise in crime prevention and criminal justice problems.

UNICRI is known for its holistic, dynamic and innovative approach in action-oriented analysis and technical cooperation. The Institute works in specialized niches and selected fields of crime, justice, security governance and counter-terrorism, providing added value to crime prevention, the advancement of justice, the enhancement of human rights and societies development. It also serves as a platform for consultation and cooperation, acting as an honest broker in bringing together different partners such as Member States, local governments, research institutions, international organizations, private entities and civil society at large.

Technical co-operation is enhanced by the use of action-oriented research to assist in the formulation of improved policies and concrete intervention programmes. Institutional and on-the-job training of specialized personnel form an integral part of UNICRI activities.

Areas of Action

With more than 40 years of experience, UNICRI has structured its work programmes and modus operandi in order to always be responsive to the needs of the international community. UNICRI plays a leading role with respect to specific niches and supports the work of other international organizations through its specialized and advanced services.

The Institute’s current priorities include:

  • Asset Recovery;
  • Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Risks Mitigation;
  • Cybercrime;
  • Illicit Trafficking in Precious Metals;
  • Social Justice and Development;
  • Counter-Terrorism;
  • Urban Security;
  • Crimes against the Environment;
  • Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants;
  • Juvenile Justice;
  • Counterfeiting;
  • Protection of Vulnerable Populations and Victims;
  • Addressing Gender Issues in Drug Abuse and Treatment;
  • Robotics and Artificial Intelligence;
  • Security during major events; and
  • International Criminal Law.

What does the UNICRI Office in Brussels do?

The UNICRI Office in Brussels focuses principally on assisting States in asset recovery. This work is carried out with the valuable support of the European Union, and in recognition of the importance of providing specialized case-by-case mentoring for States who have been victims of stolen assets which are the product of corruption and related crime.

The UNICRI Office in Brussels is staffed with experts in the field of providing technical advice to governments on modern practices for asset recovery, assisting in tracing and seizing such assets, ensuring that the assets are successfully returned to the countries from which they were stolen, and to the victims of corruption and related crime.

UNICRI is committed to assisting States in ensuring that the proper mechanisms are in place so that confiscated assets are used to strengthen local communities affected by crime and terrorism, as well as poverty.

This work furthers UNICRI’s overall objectives of advancing understanding of crime-related problems; fostering just and efficient criminal justice systems; supporting respect of international instruments and other standards; and facilitating international law enforcement cooperation and judicial assistance; as well as supporting the European Union’s efforts in these important thematic areas.

UNICRI on the WEB:  www.unicri.it

UNICRI everywhere:

Facebook: facebook.com/UNICRI

Twitter: twitter.com/unicri

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/unicri

Contact Information

UNICRI Office in Brussels

14 Rue Montoyer, 2nd Floor
1000 Brussels, Belgium
Tel.: +32 2 550-1838
[email protected]

Headquarters
Viale Maestri del Lavoro, 10
10127 Turin, Italy
Tel.: (+39) 011 6537 111
Fax: (+39) 011 6313 368
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