When and where?

We are delighted to announce that the 18th European Regional Conference of the IAP will take place in St Julian's, Malta from 06 - 08 November 2024.  The conference is being hosted by the Office of the Attorney General of Malta.

The conference will be held at the Malta Mariott Hotel & Spa in St Julian's.  St Julian's is centrally located and the conference venue provides all necessary facilities alongside easy access to other parts of the island. 

Malta

Nestled in the sparkling Mediterranean Sea, Malta is a captivating destination that seamlessly blends ancient history, stunning landscapes, and warm hospitality. This picturesque archipelago, consisting of three main islands – Malta, Gozo, and Comino – boasts a rich tapestry of cultural influences spanning thousands of years. From the ancient temples of Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra, testament to prehistoric man, to the medieval fortifications of Valletta, constructed by the Knights of St. John, Malta's UNESCO World Heritage Sites stand as testaments to its remarkable heritage.

Throughout its storied past, Malta has been shaped by a succession of conquerors and occupiers, each leaving their indelible mark on the island's landscape and culture. From the Phoenicians to the Carthaginians, Romans to Byzantines, Arabs to Normans, and later the Spanish, French, and British, Malta has been a coveted prize in the Mediterranean. The British era, which lasted for over 150 years until Malta gained independence in 1964, left a lasting legacy visible in the island's governance, architecture, and language. Today, Malta's vibrant capital, Valletta, with its elegant architecture, bustling markets, and charming cafes, offers a delightful fusion of old-world charm and modern sophistication, reflecting the island's rich and diverse history. Beyond its historical wonders, Malta beckons travellers with its azure waters, sandy beaches, and rugged coastline, inviting visitors to explore its captivating landscapes and immerse themselves in its timeless allure.

 Emerging crime trends in Europe

The upcoming conference seeks to delve into emerging crime typologies, with a particular focus on hate crime, terrorism, and financial crime. Each of these realms will be explored from various perspectives.

The section dedicated to hate crimes will scrutinise the surge in incidents across Europe. Strategies at the national level for prosecuting and preventing such crimes will be examined, underscoring the importance of prioritising victim support within the criminal justice system. Best practices for supporting and protecting victims during the prosecution process will also be shared.

The conference will further address the intricate challenges involved in prosecuting terrorism offences. This part will explore the unique hurdles faced by prosecutors, encompassing issues related to national security, the diverse legal framework, intelligence sharing, and preventive measures at the national level.

In addressing financial crime trends, the conference will cast a critical eye on modern-day money laundering schemes, the utilisation of money mules, and the exponential surge in online fraud. Traditional anti-money laundering (AML) approaches, often relying on relational databases, will be scrutinised, highlighting potential pitfalls in missing connections within the data that may serve as red flags for money laundering activities.

The forthcoming discussion on emerging crime trends during the conference pertains not exclusively to the European region but extends to matters of interest for other global jurisdictions. The trends under scrutiny transcend geographical boundaries, emphasising their relevance and impact on a broader international legal landscape.

Plenary One:  Hate Crime: Trends, Strategies and Support for Victims

Plenary Two: Terrorism: Challenges

Plenary Three and Four: Financial Crime: Modern Day ML Schemes; Money Mules; Online Fraud

Training Session One: UNESCO training session on prosecuting crimes against journalists

Training Session Two: Training session on victim-centered prosecutions in hate crime and terrorism cases

The Attorney General is the constitutionally independent Chief Prosecutor for the Republic of Malta.  The Office of the Attorney General, the specialised independent prosecutorial service of the Republic of Malta, prosecutes scheduled criminal offences following investigations conducted by the police.

The Office of the Attorney General is committed to carrying out its statutory responsibilities, duties, and functions effectively and efficiently and in the best interest of the administration of justice.

The decisions to prosecute and the conduct of prosecutions by the Office of the Attorney General provide a quality prosecution service for all stakeholders involved in the criminal justice system, including the respect for the fundamental rights of victims, suspects, accused and society in general.

ABOUT THE IAP

The International Association of Prosecutors (IAP) has a longstanding tradition of organising conferences to provide fora for prosecutors to network with colleagues from around the world and exchange best practices and experiences.

General information about the IAP

The IAP is a non-governmental, non-political organisation, and the only worldwide organisation for prosecutors. The IAP has over 175 organisational members, including associations of prosecutors, prosecution authorities and crime prevention agencies. Together with its individual membership the IAP represents over 250,000 prosecutors in approximately 170 different countries and territories around the world.

The IAP was established on 06 June 1995 at the United Nations Office in Vienna and was formally inaugurated in September 1996 at its first General Meeting in Budapest. The main impetus leading to its formation was the rapid growth in transnational crime, particularly drug trafficking, money laundering and fraud. An obvious need for enhanced international cooperation between prosecutors was emerging, particularly in the fields of mutual legal assistance, extradition and asset recovery.

Since its inception, the IAP has been committed to setting and raising standards of professional conduct and ethics for prosecutors worldwide, and to the promotion of the rule of law, fairness, impartiality and respect for human rights.  The IAP also aims to improve and strengthen international cooperation to combat crime by building networks between prosecuting agencies and supporting an increased pace and efficiency in the transfer of information and the provision of mutual legal assistance.

The IAP Constitution sets out the following Objects of the IAP:

1. To promote the effective, fair, impartial and efficient prosecution of criminal offences.

2. To respect and seek to protect human rights as laid down in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights proclaimed by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 10 December 1948.

3. To promote high standards and principles in the administration of criminal justice, including procedures to guard against or address miscarriages, in support of the rule of law.

4. To promote and enhance those standards and principles which are generally recognised internationally as necessary for the proper and independent prosecution of offences.

5. To assist prosecutors internationally in the fight against organised or other serious crime, and for that purpose:

• • to promote international cooperation in gathering and providing evidence; in tracking, seizing and forfeiting the proceeds of serious crime; in the prosecution of fugitive criminals;
  • to promote speed and efficiency in such international cooperation.

6. To promote measures for the elimination of corruption in public administration.

7. To promote the professional interests of prosecutors and to enhance recognition of their crucial role in achieving criminal justice.

8. To promote good relations between individual prosecutors and prosecution agencies; to facilitate the exchange and dissemination among them of information, expertise and experience; and, to that end, to encourage the use of information technology.

9. To promote examination of comparative criminal law and procedure and to assist prosecutors engaged in justice reform projects.

10. To cooperate with international juridical organisations in furtherance of the foregoing objects.

The Executive Committee is the governing body of the IAP, subject to the authority of the General Meeting which is the body of supreme authority in the IAP. The IAP elects a President, up to nine Vice-Presidents and up to twenty-one ordinary members of the Executive Committee. The membership of the Executive Committee reflects the regions in the world where the IAP has members.

The Executive Committee appoints a Secretary-General, who is the Chief Executive, a General Counsel, who is the principal professional representative responsible for the professional programme of the IAP and who provides legal advice and counselling to the IAP, and an Executive Director, responsible for the day-to-day management of the IAP, to include finances, technical support, communication, membership administration and community outreach.

The Senate of the IAP consists of past members of the Executive Committee who elect to join the Senate upon their departure from the Executive Committee and who are, in the opinion of the President and the Executive Committee, fit and proper persons of good standing and repute in the Association. The Senate operates in conjunction with the President and the Executive Committee. The Senate serves as an advisory body and executes powers to promote the IAP Objects.

The Secretariat of the IAP is based in The Hague, The Netherlands.

IAP EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 2023 - 2024