UN, BRAZIL TO ADDRESS URBAN INSECURITY

UN, BRAZIL TO ADDRESS URBAN INSECURITY

(Reissued as received.)

VIENNA, 24 April (UN Information Service) -- The Government of Brazil and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) have agreed to initiate a comprehensive cooperation strategy to reduce urban insecurity in Brazil, within the broader context of strengthening cooperation to counter drugs and crime.
The strategy will be incorporated in the UNODC-Brazil Strategic Programme Framework for 2003-2006, presently under formulation.

The UNODC will assist the Brazilian authorities in coordinating with other relevant international agencies, and with strategic policy planning on drug control and crime prevention.  It will also promote the exchange of know-how and international "best practices" between Brazil and other countries, including South-South cooperation.

The two parties have agreed to develop a multi-year programme for technical co-operation in the following priority areas:

-- Social crime prevention, focusing on youth at risk and their families;

-- Strengthening of NGOs working with youth at risk, community-based crime prevention in urban areas affected by drugs trafficking, and conduct of victimization surveys;

-- Juvenile justice reform, with emphasis on reintegration of juveniles in conflict with the law through social and educational activities, as well as employment opportunities;

-- Improved access to justice for juveniles in conflict with the law, with legal and psychological support adapted to their needs;

-- Police reform, including the modernization of police forces, strengthening of police professionalism and improvement of working and living conditions, as well as police training on interactions with juveniles and social minorities; and

-- Judicial cooperation, aimed at strengthening the country's capacities to counter organized crime, human trafficking, firearms and corruption, and strengthening capacities to prevent money-laundering and recover assets.

The agreement calls for technical cooperation to address the whole range of issues of illicit drugs abuse.

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