Asean and diplomatic partners discuss criminal justice cooperation

The Regional Conference on Asean Cross-Border Criminal Justice Cooperation follows recent commitments to address transnational issues within the framework of Asean Vision 2025, and regional frameworks for cooperation on different forms of crime including the Mekong memorandum of understanding. 
UNODC’s goodwill ambassador for the rule of law in Southeast Asia, Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha, opened the conference along with the US Ambassador to Thailand Glyn Davies, the secretary general of the Asean Inter-Parliamentary Assembly Isra Sunthornvut, and the UNODC regional representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific Jeremy Douglas – with each highlighting the importance of justice cooperation as the region integrates.
Asean countries are undeniably benefiting from economic and infrastructure integration, but they have recently also had to consider the evolution of related challenges including the illegal movement and trafficking of persons, goods and capital between countries. It is also apparent that transnational organised crime groups have been able to capitalise on regional connectivity and trade flows, while many justice agencies and authorities remain reactive and not well set-up to cooperate effectively across borders.
“Regional integration has brought economic benefits, but security and crime challenges have also been changing and states now have to work together more and more frequently and in ways they have not had to in the past,” said Douglas. “We expect the discussions this week will lead to a deeper understanding of some of the transnational issues being faced, but also policy and institutional needs that we can then help address through our Regional Programme for Southeast Asia.”
Mutual legal assistance for joint investigations of transnational crime, extradition and asset recovery has been understood and applied in different ways by different Asean countries, in part because legal systems and capacities vary significantly in the region. 
At the same time, all countries of the region have signed the Asean Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Treaty, the UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime and the UN Convention against Corruption, and they are working to comply with UN Security Council resolutions requiring mutual legal assistance.
Unfortunately, despite commitments to regional and international treaties and resolutions, justice cooperation in the Asean region has largely taken place on an ad-hoc and sometimes informal basis leading to mixed results. Engagement with justice authorities from outside Southeast Asia is also often inconsistent – and in some cases minimal or not happening – leaving the region open to possible exploitation and criticism.
“Common justice challenges are bringing us closer together by necessity,” stated Princess Bajrakitiyabha, adding: “Our efforts to improve how we cooperate and work together to address transnational organised crimes and terrorism will strengthen the foundation for the rule of law here in the region, and support sustainable development which is our ultimate goal. As a UNODC goodwill ambassador, I look forward to working with you to build a resilient Asean, in-line with the Asean Vision 2025 and the UN 2030 Agenda.”