Informal Meeting

  

 

 

ATTENDING MEMBERS:

 

Aniedi Okure - Dominicans for Justice and Peace

Ariel Alberto Jara Acosta – International Society of Substance Use Professionals

Carlos Sesma - Derechos Humanos Mexico

Darren Brookbanks - Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime

Evelyn Durmayer - International Association of Democratic Lawyers

Femi Oyebode  - Rural and Urban Aid For Youth Development Initiative

Gerhard Reissner - International Association of Judges

Gerson Nosea – Rapha International

Herta Kaschitz

Ifeanyi Nwanoro – CIPDI - Center for Innovative and Pragmatic Development Initiative

Jay Albanese – Criminologists Without Borders

Linda MacDonald – Persons against NST

Micheael O’Connell - Victim Support Asia

Pa Karim Jr Diop

Patrick Karlsen - SPERO

Philip Reichel - Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences

Ramil Iskandarli - Legal Analysis and Research NGO

Rishi Ojiha  – Just say no ONG

Sabine Peters

Taher Al-Hatef - AWTAD Anti-Corruption Organization

Tariq Khosa – NIOC, CGR

Wessam Farid – Maat for Peace

 

UNODC MEMBERS                                                  ALLIANCE MEMBERS

 

Sarah Pirker                                                                                                         Anna Alvazzi del Frate

Billy Batware                                                                                                       Ingeborg Geyer

Konrad Gertz                                                                                                       Tobias Krachler

Anders Frantzen                                                                                                  Silvia Marino

 

 

• CONSTRUCTIVE DIALOGUES

 

• Constructive Dialogue on Firearms : 5 May 2023 
• Constructive Dialogue on Technical Assistance: 31 May 2023
• Constructive Dialogue on International Cooperation: 13 September 2023
• Constructive Dialogue on Trafficking in Persons: 4 October 2023
• Constructive Dialogue on Smuggling of Migrants: 9 October2023

 

The number of applicants is much higher in comparison to the previous constructive dialogues. (Over 250 Organisations). About 211 applicants for the CD on Firearms (69 of which have expressed interest to speak), 195 for the CD on Technical Assistance (56 of which have expressed interest to speak).

The perspective on constructive dialogues, from both organisations and member states, is very encouraging. This year’s proposal is to have at least half a day (possibly a full day) of constructive dialogue that will include an interactive panel discussion. The objective is to have a really constructive discussion, that is not so scripted but linked directly to the topic of the working groups. The CD could benefit from more clarity on the topics, and the dialogues should provide valuable sources for the work of the Working Groups. In addition to the dialogues other events could occur the previous day; UNODC should prepare a descriptive information on those working group topics for non-governmental stakeholders, since their meetings are normally closed to Civil Society. Usually these topics are very technical, and by preparing information for participants they could be more into the topics and make more meaningful contributions. Additional training could be provided for those who are not in SE4U;

The applications for the May CDs are already closed, but the next batch of applications for the constructive dialogues in September and October is coming up. UNODC is also going to organise two preparatory meetings for those who want to speak as panelists, making sure they understand how they can prepare their contributions.

A common issue for the focal points is that the ministries constantly shift. The problem is brought up regarding Nigeria.  It is a temporary problem, and as soon as a new focal point is nominated, it will appear on the UNODC website.

• WHATSON PLATFORM:

Whatson Phase 2 is presented: new features have been added, making the database more interactive, so that organisations can make their contributions and present focal points. Two new features have been introduced: one of them is the Blog, together with the Calendar where organisations can share their events with other members. A guide will be shared.

• PRESENTATION OF TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS REPORT FOR CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS - 1st of March 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM Vienna time

The report came out two weeks ago. The presentation will include an interactive part.

• NGO APPLICATION FOR CDs

About the submission of candidates for the CDs to the Extended Bureau, the list of approved non governmental stakeholders should arrive by the 17th of March. Even before the list is approved it’s necessary to communicate with those stakeholders to make sure that the process can be started in order to prepare for the Constructive Dialogues.

 

Regarding the request to have the NGOs apply only once every two years for all the events of the Conference of the Parties: those who have been approved by the conference of the parties should be able to participate in all events (including CD’s). The decision couldn’t be taken in an intersessional meeting, no consensus was reached, it may be considered in october 2024 (next meeting of the CoP). The current idea is to combine applications: there is already the possibility of submitting only one application for two constructive dialogues, and soon for three; NGOs with ECOSOC status are already pre-approved to participate. They can request to participate even after the deadline. For the October and November CDs, it shouldn’t be needed for NGOs to complete the full applications again, if they have already participated in May. 

• CRIME COMMISSION (CCPCJ)

The theme of this year’s crime commission will be “Access to justice”. It can be an opportunity to highlight different important issues. An event to commemorate Gary Hill (who strongly coordinated CS participation in the Crime Congress) should be organised in the occasion of the CCPCJ, together with the discussion on the involvement of Civil Society with CCPCJ and in particular with the Crime Congress. In-person participation is encouraged. There will be a specific youth component: for this reason youth organisations should be reached out to. It would be important to work on ways to involve NGOs in CCPCJ, aside from the side events: for this reason contact will be made with different networks. The idea is to create some regional capacity to interact in a continuous ways with the CCPCJ processes.

The next Crime Commission will be May 22nd-26th.  

• AHC COMMITTEE

The AHC Intersessional (6-7th March) is the first upcoming event.

Applications for the AHC Intersessional will be open from 20/02 to 03/03.

5th session of the AHC:  11-21 April 2023, Vienna

• SIDE/PARALLEL EVENTS AND ADDED INFORMATIONS

Commission on the Status of Women – Parallel Event:  March 9th.

There will be a Consultation – Introduction day (Alliance, NGO CSW, UNEP), still a work in progress. March 7th, E-Building Vienna, hybrid meeting.

Criminologists without Borders will co-sponsor two side events at the CSW: “Feminist approaches to justice: empowerment of women and girls in the digital age” and “Women and girls and a just society for them”

There will also be a side event for CCPCJ under the topic of NSActors and torture.

Adjournment: the next informal meeting will be 22/03 15:00-16:30.