U.N. network assists the international community with a variety of issues. (International).

Finding the answers to difficult criminal justice questions is never easy, especially if you want accurate or verified data. Much of the world lacks the sophisticated research equipment, personnel and budgets required to produce data in an easily retrievable format. Also, to many nations, crime, court and correctional data are viewed as sources of embarrassment and/or are modified for propaganda purposes.

However, there are some resourceful agencies, listed below, that can help locate information on a regional basis or can determine the accuracy of information provided by other sources. Most of the following organizations and sources receive only enough financial support to do the work mandated by their own boards or governing agencies. Therefore, be prepared to pay for the cost (including postage) of any booklets or documents received from them.

U.N. Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Program Network

The U.N. Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Program Network comprises the U.N. Center for International Crime Prevention (CICP) and a number of inter-regional and regional institutes, as well as specialized centers, around the world. The network was developed to help the international community strengthen cooperation in the crucial areas of crime prevention and criminal justice. Its components provide a variety of services, including information exchange, research, training and public education.

CICP

CICP, located in Vienna, Austria, is the U.N. office responsible for crime prevention, criminal Justice and criminal law reform. Its work focuses on combating transnational organized crime, corruption, illicit trafficking in human beings and terrorism prevention.

The center helps states elaborate, ratify and implement international legal instruments, such as the U.N. Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime (2002) and the negotiations for a convention against corruption, due to be completed by December. It also promotes internationally recognized principles, standards and norms in such areas as independence of the judiciary, protection of victims, juvenile justice, alternatives to incarceration, treatment of inmates, police use of force, mutual legal assistance, extradition and other matters pertaining to criminal justice and crime prevention. Additionally, the center promotes the fundamental principles of maintaining the rule of law through national, regional and inter-regional activities. The center's technical cooperation activities focus particularly on developing countries and countries in transition.

CICP also promotes research and studies of new and emerging forms of crime in cooperation with the U.N. Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI). The center maintains the Internet-based U.N. Crime and Justice Information Network (UNCJIN), a substantial database with links to other criminal justice-related sites. Contact information: Vienna International Center, P.O. Box 500, A-1400 Vienna, Austria; phone: [phone]; fax: [phone] or 5933; e-mail: [e-mail]; Web site: www.odccp.org/odccp/crime_cicp.html.

UNICRI

UNICRI in Turin, Italy, which was established within the framework of an ECOSOC (represents the organizations that operate in a consultive relationship with the United Nations) resolution, carries out a wide range of activities. The institute focuses on action-oriented research, training and technical cooperation, particularly regarding issues of concern to developing countries with transitional economies. Contact information: Via le Maestri de Lavoro, 10, 10127 Turin, Italy; phone: [phone]; fax: [phone]; e-mail: [e-mail]; Web site: www.unicri.it.

UNAFEI 

The U.N. Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders in Tokyo focuses on training and research to promote the sound development of criminal justice systems and mutual cooperation in Asia and the Pacific region. The institute addresses urgent, contemporary problems in the administration of criminal justice, paying the utmost attention to the trends and activities of the United Nations, and the needs of the countries concerned. Contact information: 1-26 Harumi-cho, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-0057, Japan; phone: [phone]; fax: [phone]; e-mail: [e-mail]; Web site: www.unafei.or.jp.

ILANUD 

The U.N. Latin American Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders in San Jose, Costa Rica, assists countries in the region, providing specialized services in response to their increasing needs. Services include help with implementing programs and projects based on research to provide policy guidance as well as designing projects for the improvement of the administration of justice and obtaining the required funding from international donor agencies. Contact information: Apartado 10071-1000, San Jose, Costa Rica; phone: [phone]; fax: [phone]; e-mail: [e-mail]; Web site: www.ilanud.or.cr.

HEUNI

The primary objective of the European Institute for Crime Prevention and Control affiliated with the United Nations located in Helsinki, Finland, is to promote the international exchange of information on crime prevention and control among European countries. Its main activities include organizing meetings, conducting research and providing technical assistance to governments upon request. Contact information: P.O. Box 157, 00121 Helsinki, Finland; phone: [phone]; fax: [phone]; e-mail: [e-mail]; Web site: www.heuni.fi.

UNAFRI 

The U.N. African Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders in Kampala, Uganda, serves the needs of African countries in the areas of crime prevention and the treatment of offenders, acting as a vehicle for coordination and collaboration in the fight against crime. Its main activities are training and human resource development, research and policy development, information and documentation, advisory services to governments and promotion of joint activities and strategies. Contact information: P.O. Box 10590, Kampala, Uganda; phone: [phone]; fax: [phone]; e-mail: [e-mail] or [e-mail]; Web site: www.unafri.or.ug.

NAASS 

The Naif Arab Academy for Security Sciences in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, an intergovernmental organization operating under the aegis of the Council of Arab Ministers of Interior, carries out various interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral activities to serve the needs of the Arab states in the fields of crime prevention, security and safety. The academic institutions comprising the Naif Arab Academy for Security Sciences are the Institute of Graduate Studies, the Training Institute, the Department of Scientific Affairs and the Department of International Cooperation. Contact information: P.O. Box 6830, Riyadh, 11452, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; phone: [phone]; fax: [phone]; e-mail: [e-mail]; Web site: www.naass.edu.sa.

AIC

The Australian Institute of Criminology, a federal government agency in Canberra, Australia, is the country's national center for the analysis and dissemination of criminological data and information. It aims to be responsive to the needs of the government and the community with respect to policy issues in the fields of justice and the prevention and control of crime, and provides authoritative information at a national level in these fields. The institute conducts research in areas such as violence; property crime and drugs; sophisticated crime, regulation and business; social policy and crime; and research dissemination and support. AIC's national criminal justice library supports its research activities. Most publications are available in full on the institute's Web site: www.aic.gov.au. Contact information: G.P.O. Box 2944, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia; phone: [phone]; fax: [phone]; e-mail: [e-mail].

ICCLR and CJP 

The role of the International Center for Criminal Law Reform and Criminal Justice Policy in Vancouver, Canada, is to contribute to local, national and international law reform initiatives and to improve the administration of criminal justice. Its objective is to promote the rule of law, human rights, democracy and good governance. The center focuses on technical cooperation, research, training and advisory services. Contact information: 1822 E. Mall, Vancouver, B.C., Canada V6T 1Z1; phone: [phone]; fax: [phone]; e-mail: [e-mail] or [e-mail]; Web site: www.icclr.law.ubc.ca.

ISISC

The International Institute of Higher Studies in Criminal Sciences in Siracusa, Italy, is a nongovernmental organization in consultative status with ECOSOC and the Council of Europe. A public foundation by presidential decree, ISISC is a scientific institution devoted to higher education, studies, research, training and technical assistance in matters pertaining to international and comparative criminal law, international humanitarian law and security issues. Contact information: Via S. Agati, 12, 96100 Siracusa, Italy; phone: [phone] or 516; fax: [phone]; e-mail: [e-mail]; Web site: www.uncjin.org/Institutes/ISISC.pdf.

NIJ 

The National Institute of Justice in Washington, D.C., is the research and development agency of the U.S. Department of Justice. The institute's mission includes developing knowledge that will reduce crime, enhance public safety and improve the administration of justice. NIJ sponsors basic and applied research, evaluations and pilot program demonstrations, develops new technologies and disseminates criminal justice information. Contact information: 810 Seventh St. N.W., Washington, DC 20531; phone: [phone]; fax: [phone]; e-mail: [e-mail]; Web site: www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/.

Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law

The Raoul Wallenberg Institute in Lund, Sweden, is an academic institution established to promote research, training and academic education in the field of international human rights law and related areas. In addition to the facilitation of two master's programs at Lund University and a publications program, the Raoul Wallenberg Institute cooperates with public institutions as well as academic institutions and nongovernmental organizations in several countries for the promotion of human rights and good governance through capacity-building programs. Contact information: P.O. Box 1155, S-22105 Lund, Sweden; phone: [phone]; fax: [phone]; e-mail: [e-mail]; Web site: www.rwi.lu.se/.

ISPAC

The tasks of the International Scientific and Professional Advisory Council of the U.N. Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Program in Milan, Italy, include channeling professional and scientific input to the United Nations and providing a capacity for the transfer of knowledge and exchange of information in crime prevention and criminal justice. The council draws on the contributions of nongovernmental organizations, academic institutions and other relevant entities, as well as individual experts. Contact information: 3 Piazza Castello, 20121 Milan, Italy; phone: [phone]; fax: [phone]; e-mail: [e-mail]; Web site: www.ispac-italy.org.

ICPC 

The International Center for the Prevention of Crime in Montreal is an international forum that works with national and local governments, and criminal justice, city and nongovernmental organizations, to ensure the safety of communities and reduce crime, violence and insecurity. It fosters dialogue and exchange of knowledge and expertise with developed countries and those in development about effective practice and sustainable prevention, using targeted strategies, multi-sector partnerships, tools for diagnosis and implementation and good practice. It facilitates access to technical assistance and training in community safety strategies. Contact information: 507, Place d'Armes, Suite 2100, Montreal, Quebec, H2Y 2W8, Canada; phone: [phone]; fax: [phone]; e-mail: [e-mail]; www.crime-prevention-intl.org.

Human Rights Nongovernmental
Organizations (NGOs)

Amnesty International
1 Easton St.
GB-London WC1X 8DJ
Great Britain
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]

Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe
Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
Krucza 36/Wspolna 6
PL-00-522 Warsaw
Poland
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Telex: 815045 ODIWA PL

Council of Europe
Commission of Human Rights/Committee for the
Prevention of Torture
P.O. Box 431 R6
F-67006 Strasbourg-Cedex
France
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Telex: 87388F

Human Rights Information and Documentation
System (HURIDOCS)
2 Rue Jean-Jaquet
CH-1201 Geneva
Switzerland
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]

Human Rights Watch
485 Fifth Ave.
New York, NY 10017-6104
United States
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]

Inter-American Commission on Human Rights
Organization of American States
1889 F St. N.W.
Washington, DC 20006
Phone: [phone]
Telex: 440118

International Bar Association (IBA)
2 Harewood Place
Hanover Square
GB-London W1R 9HB
Great Britain
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Cable: Inbarassoc London SW1

International Commission of Jurists (ICJ)
P.O. Box 145
109 Route de Chene
CH-122 Chene-Bourgerie (GE)
Switzerland
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Cable: INTERJURISTS, GENEVA

International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
19 Avenue de la Paix
CH-1202 Geneva
Switzerland
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Cable: INTERCROIXROUGE
Telex: 414226

Penal Reform International (PRI)
169 Clampham Road
GB-London SW9 OPU
Great Britain
Phone: [phone]

Gary Hill is president of CEGA Services Inc., an international consultant in crime prevention, criminal justice and corrections, and chairman of the functional committee of the U.N. Crime Center's International Scientific and Professional Council.