Topnews, Statements
14. May 2018
STATEMENT BY DR JOHNNY THABO PITSWANE, DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA TO THE UNITED NATIONS AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS IN VIENNA, 27TH SESSION OF THE COMMISSION ON CRIME PREVENTION AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE, 14 MAY 2018, VIENNA, AUSTRIA
AGENDA ITEM 3: GENERAL DEBATE
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Chairperson,
Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is my great pleasure to join other delegations in congratulating His Excellency, Ambassador Lotfi Bouchaara, of the Kingdom of Morocco and members of the bureau for their elevation to preside over this session of the Commission.
Similarly, we express our appreciation to the Secretariat for their excellent preparations for this session.
We fully subscribe to the statements delivered on behalf of the African Group and Group of 77 and China, respectively and we would like to make the following remarks in our national capacity.
Chairperson,
The 2018 session of the CCPCJ is of particular importance for South Africa and its friends all over the world because it coincides with the centenary celebrations of Nelson Mandela. As a contribution to the centenary of Nelson Mandela, the United Nations General Assembly has decided to hold the Nelson Mandela Peace Summit in September this year on the eve of its 73rd Session.
Here in Vienna, in memory of this global icon and in order to give impetus to the practical application of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, otherwise known as the Nelson Mandela Rules, we are convening a High-Level Special Event on the Centenary of Nelson Mandela within the context of the Group of Friends of the Nelson Mandela Rules Co-Chaired by South Africa and Germany. This Event will take place tomorrow on 15 May 2018 during lunch. We extend an invitation to all member states to join us during this event.
We will be honoured to have as a special guest during this High Level Event the former Deputy Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court of South Africa, Justice Dikgang Moseneke as well as the Minister of Justice of Italy, Mr Andrea Orlando.
Justice was imprisoned at the age of 15 and served 10 years in Robben Island as a political prisoner together with Nelson Mandela. As part of the struggle for democracy and human rights in South Africa, Justice Moseneke together with Nelson Mandela and other political prisoners campaigned for the creation of humane conditions in prisons consistent with the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners. We look forward to hearing the personal testimony of this eminent human rights advocate and highly recognised legal mind.
Chairperson,
The theme of this year’s session uniquely puts the challenge of cybercrime at the forefront of transnational organized crime. As you are aware, cybercrime is increasingly becoming a very serious global challenge. Criminal networks are becoming more agile and sophisticated in their methods due to rapid developments in information and communications technologies. It is therefore incumbent on Member States as a collective to work together in effectively addressing this problem.
It is becoming more evident that without a global and legally-binding instrument under the auspices of the United Nations, our efforts at countering the problem posed by cybercrime would not have much meaningful impact. We are convinced that only a UN instrument on cybercrime can marshall all Member States to adopt a common and collaborative approach to what is ultimately a threat to the stability of peace and security as well as economic order globally.
It is for these reasons that we welcome the ongoing work of the Intergovernmental Expert Group on Cybercrime. We particularly welcome the adoption of the Multi-Year Work-Plan for the period 2018-2021 which will hopefully lead to consensus on the development of a legal instrument on cybercrime.
Chairperson,
Based on the positive work that we have done at the national level in the area of legal aid, my country continues to be in the forefront of promoting universal access to quality legal aid. Evidence show that access to legal aid has enabled millions of people around the world who have insufficient means to have equal access to legal assistance and justice. We will continue to work in partnership with other member states and the UNODC in this regard.
In conclusion, Chairperson, let me assure you of my delegations full support and look forward to successful deliberations under your leadership.
I thank you