In recent years, criminal and terrorist groups have seized every opportunity afforded by growing instability to entrench, expand, and escalate their activities, as highlighted by Ghada Waly in her opening remarks to the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Vienna. This alarming growth of criminal networks is a serious issue, particularly as they intertwine with conflicts and governmental challenges across the globe.
During the four-day conference, various challenges such as human and drug trafficking, the smuggling of cultural and commercial goods, and environmental crimes will be front and center. These emerging threats represent more than just legal issues; they pose fundamental challenges to security, prosperity, and the rule of law worldwide.
Emerging Threats
The world is facing a significant challenge as criminal and terrorist groups increasingly collaborate, blurring the lines that once separated them. As Waly pointed out, new technologies have become a powerful enabler for these networks. The very tools designed to promote communication and commerce are now being exploited to perpetrate an array of illegitimate activities, ranging from minor infringements to grave violations of human rights.
Simultaneously, justice systems around the world are struggling. Many are “starved” of the necessary resources and conditions to provide equitable access to justice, allowing these burgeoning criminal enterprises to flourish without effective countermeasures. Waly emphasized that now is “certainly not the time to scale back” on global investments in crime prevention and criminal justice; rather, a strong case for enhanced multilateral cooperation is more crucial than ever.
Australia’s Justice System in the Spotlight Over Child Offenders’ Reform
Shifting focus to Australia, concerns are mounting over proposed legal reforms that could increase penalties for children. In many Australian states, the age of criminal responsibility begins as early as 10, which allows for the incarceration of young offenders convicted of various crimes. Rights experts have voiced that this policy disproportionately affects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, who already face alarmingly high incarceration rates.
Special rapporteurs, reporting to the Human Rights Council, assert that many proposed laws are incompatible with the rights of children. Among these contentious reforms is Queensland’s “Adult crime, Adult time” initiative, which could lead to longer jail sentences for various offenses committed by minors. This approach raises serious ethical questions regarding the treatment of children in the justice system. Rights experts stress that keeping children out of prisons should always be the primary goal, warning that such laws risk creating a “future under-class of Australians.”
Queensland Crackdown
If the Queensland bill is passed, it could have far-reaching implications, especially for Indigenous children, suggesting a move towards harsher sentencing that could further entrench social inequities. The overall impact of these reforms poses a risk not only to children’s rights but also to the societal fabric of Australia.
Aerial view of Malé, the capital of the Maldives.
Maldives’ Dismissal of Supreme Court Judges Raises Concern, UN Rights Office Warns
In the Maldives, a separate yet equally troubling issue has emerged. The dismissal of two Supreme Court justices by the Maldives authorities has raised alarms regarding judicial independence. Following probes launched in February 2025, the Maldives parliament adopted legislation to reduce the Supreme Court bench size from seven to five—indicating a significant shift in the balance of power.
The scenario is complicated by a third justice’s resignation and the recent retirement of the Chief Justice. The manner in which investigations into these judges were conducted has come under scrutiny from the UN human rights office, raising serious questions about the integrity of the judiciary in the Maldives and its alignment with international human rights obligations.
Judicial Independence
The UN human rights office, through spokesperson Jeremy Laurence, reminded Maldivian authorities of their commitment to uphold an independent judiciary as per the nation’s Constitution. The establishment of checks and balances among various branches of government is vital for ensuring adherence to the rule of law and effective human rights protection. Concerns have also surfaced regarding the transparency and fairness of the proceedings against the judges, with independent rights experts observing that the judges’ legal counsel were not adequately allowed to participate.
Protection of Civilians Week Will Work to Address ‘Culture of Impunity’
Globally, the humanitarian crisis is deepening, particularly for civilians caught in conflicts. Since October 2023, over 50,000 civilians have lost their lives in Gaza, with additional staggering numbers reported in Sudan and Ukraine. In response, the United Nations is convening its eighth annual Protection of Civilians Week, slated for May 19 to 23, to address these preventable deaths and displacements.
The theme for this year—“Tools to Further the Protection of Civilians”—will guide discussions among UN officials, member states, and civil society organizations. This initiative highlights the urgent need for practical measures and political will to protect civilians in conflict zones.
International Guarantees, National Violations
Under international humanitarian and human rights law, civilians should receive clear protections during armed conflicts. However, a concerning “culture of impunity” has emerged, characterized by a widespread disregard for these laws. Despite obvious international regulations aimed at safeguarding civilians, the enforcement mechanisms are faltering. Over the last decade, armed conflicts have surged, disrupting a long-term decline in violence.
Reports indicate a shocking 72 percent rise in civilian deaths from 2022 to 2023, underscoring the increasing severity of the situation. Throughout Protection of Civilians Week, individual member state missions will be hosting informal consultations, underscoring the urgency of collective action to address these ongoing challenges.
