Doc. 9392

22 March 2002

Prevention of recidivism in crimes against minors

Motion for a recommendation

presented by Mr Nickolay Chaklein and others

The Assembly,

Considering that the first human right is safety;

Considering that the well-being and best interests of children are fundamental values shared by all member states;

Considering that there are grounds for organising a Europe-wide mechanism for preventing crimes against minors;

Considering, in view of the Council of Europe’s competence and experience in the matter of conventions on judicial co-operation and the need to extend such co-operation throughout the European continent, that the Council of Europe is the most appropriate framework within which to establish a Convention providing for co-ordination in the prevention of offences and crimes against minors;

Considering that the proper course of action would be to draw up a Council of Europe Convention ensuring exchange of relevant information and allowing national courts to take account of previous convictions in one or more of the Organisation’s other Member States,

Recommends that the Committee of Ministers:

draw up, in consultation with the Parliamentary Assembly, a Council of Europe convention on the repression of recidivism against minors, with a view to promote the collection of information across national courts, establish national agencies to disseminate this information, promote exchange of information, knowledge and expertise in the field between national administrative bodies, promote programmes aimed at furthering awareness and training at inter-governmental level, foresee the training of those concerned, and identify areas in which technical assistance and expertise in the development of appropriate measures is needed.

Signed : (see overleaf)

Signé : ¹

Chaklein, Russia, UEL

Cilevičs, Latvia, SOC

Coifan, Romania, LDR

Fedorov, Russia, EDG

Holovaty, Ukraine, LDR

Olteanu, Romania, SOC

Shishlov, Russia, LDR

Škrabalo, Croatia, LDR

Stankevič, Lithuania, LDR

Tabajdi, Hungary, SOC

¹        SOC: Socialist Group

      EPP/CD: Group of the European People’s Party

      EDG: European Democratic Group

      LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers’ Group

      UEL: Group of the Unified European Left

      NR: not registered in a group