BANGKOK: A major UN conference began here on Monday urging the international community to tighten the noose around organized crime syndicates and terrorism networks by combatting them together.

“By fighting one evil, we fight the other as well,” Antonio Maria Costa, director-general of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), said during the opening session of the conference.

“Since these uncivil behaviours are conspiratorial in nature, I propose we equally conspire — namely, we act together — in opposing them,” he added.

At the same time, Costa also called for more commitment to take on the scourges of corruption and human trafficking by strengthening the criminal justice systems in countries.

Countries need “proper legislation, honest courts, skilled and aggressive prosecutors and adequate detention facilities” to fight crime or oppose corruption, he said. “Whether we fight crime, or oppose corruption, or struggle against trafficking of people or protect innocent civilians against deadly terrorist attacks, one particular goal stands out: the need to strengthen criminal justice systems the world over.”

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan promised countries emerging from conflicts that the global body would help to restore a strong legal culture. It would be achieved through a soon to be established “Rule of Law Assistance Unit.”

“(The unit) will help national efforts to re-establish the rule of law in societies emerging from instability and war,” said Annan in a speech that was read out during the opening session.

These themes, along with economic and financial crimes, will be addressed during the 11th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, which runs from April 18-25.—Dawn/The InterPress News Service.