Madam Chairperson,
Allow me to begin by congratulating you on your election
as the chairperson of this session.
I would also like to extend my sincere gratitude to His
Excellency, Mr. Yuri Fedotov, Executive Director of the UNODC,
for his leadership, as well as all members of the secretariat for
their dedication in preparing this session.
Madam Chairperson, Distinguished Colleagues,
This is the last CCPCJ session before the Kyoto Congress.
I am here today to deliver one simple message.
Please join us in Kyoto for the 2020 Congress.
As a criminal justice practitioner, I appeal to all of you and
your colleagues back home - prosecutors, law-enforcement
officers, judges, correctional officers, probation officers and other
criminal justice practitioners-to actively engage in the Kyoto
Congress.
The Crime Congress has been and will continue to be the
most significant global forum for us as practitioners.
Throughout its history since 1955, the Crime Congress has
been serving as the epicenter for international dialogue on
practical matters on crime prevention and criminal justice.
This continues to be the case for the Kyoto Congress.
The theme of Kyoto Congress is "advancing crime
prevention, criminal justice and the rule of law: towards achieving
the 2030 Agenda."
These are very important goals.
But who is the driving force to achieve these goals?
I think it is us, the practitioners.
We investigate crime and pursue justice for victims and
society.
We help offenders rehabilitate.
We make an impact in the real world by promoting the rule
of law.
That’s why I’m here today: to call to you, as criminal
justice practitioners, to contribute your experiences and ideas to
the discussions during the Kyoto Congress.
Madam Chairperson,
We must undertake all efforts to build a safe society and
achieve sustainable development.
But, we must admit that we cannot complete our mission
alone.
Partnerships with those outside of our criminal justice
systems, particularly the local community and citizens, are
equally important.
Let’s take one of the workshop topics of the Kyoto
Congress, "reducing reoffending", as an example.
Upon release, an ex-offender will need a place to live.
This person will also need a steady job.
But what can be done by the prison is limited.
Housing and employment are areas where the local
community should come in.
The local community can help ex-offenders find places to
live and help them get back on their feet.
The local business owners can hire ex-offenders and pay
them wages to help them live independently.
And we shouldn’t be shy to ask for their support.
It is our responsibility to partner with the local community
to facilitate the goals of offender rehabilitation, which will move
us closer to achieving societies in which "no one is left behind".
In this regard, the trust and respect of the general public in
the law and its enforcement, a culture of lawfulness, is the
bedrock of this community partnership.
Japan will elaborate more on this topic at the side event
today on the ground floor immediately after this morning plenary
session.
Madame Chairperson,
I would like to conclude by showing the video clip of the
Kyoto Congress.
I hope to see you all in Kyoto next April.
Thank you very much.