Statement by By H. E. Mr. Mohsen Naziri Asl Ambassador and Permanent Representative of The Islamic Republic of Iran  Before The Thirty-Third Session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Agenda Item 3: General Debate (13-17 May 2024, Vienna) In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful   Mr. Chair,           At the outset, we would like to congratulate you on your election and express gratitude to the Secretariat for convening the 33rd session of the Commission and looking forward to a productive meeting under your able guidance. The Islamic Republic of Iran continues to contribute positively to the Commission's work by demonstrating its commitment to effectively combat various crimes, including human trafficking, smuggling of migrants, trafficking in cultural properties, money laundering, corruption, and countering the use of ICT for criminal purposes through devising mechanisms to improve its criminal justice responses and promote international cooperation. Mr. Chair, The Member States should refrain from overly broad or unjustified grounds for non-cooperation in area of mutual legal assistance and extradition, with regard to transnational organized crime, corruption, and terrorism. In this regard, practical and effective approaches should be adopted to facilitate timely and meaningful international cooperation. We would like to remind Member States of their international obligations to provide the widest possible international cooperation in removing the persistent obstacles and challenges in asset recovery. The management and utilization of returned assets is the responsibility of the requesting state, and recovered assets must be returned without conditions and with full respect for the sovereign rights of the states of origin. Denying criminals of the proceeds of crime by strengthening international cooperation on tracing, seizing, confiscating, and returning such assets is an integral part of a collective response to corruption. To address any gaps within the international anti-corruption framework, we consider adoption of an additional protocol to UNCAC on asset recovery and return as a positive step forward. Mr. Chair, Promoting, facilitating and supporting the widest measures of technical assistance, transfer of technology, financial and material support and training, would play a significant role in preventing and combating crimes, taking into account the specific challenges and ever increasing needs of developing countries. In this regard, restrictions and limitations imposed and/or maintained against certain developing countries, should be removed. Furthermore, all necessary technical assistance should be made to developing countries without discrimination.   Mr. Chair, To address unprecedented challenges due to increasingly exploitation of emerging technologies, we express our support for Elaboration of a Comprehensive International Convention on Countering the Use of Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) for criminal purposes, in accordance with UNGA Resolution 74/247. It is essential that at this stage all members engage constructively in the reconvened concluding session of the Ad Hoc Committee aimed at finalization of a comprehensive, inclusive and balanced draft Convention to be submitted to the General Assembly at its 78th Session through transparent and cooperative process which address the concerns of all Member States, in particular developing countries. Mr. Chair, We would like to reiterate that the adoption, promulgation, maintaining and application of Unilateral Coercive Measures in contravention of international law and the UN Charter continue to impede international cooperation in fighting crimes. We firmly believe that upholding multilateralism, supporting the UN development system, and refraining from application of such measures are essential to improve solidarity, international cooperation, and strengthen states' capabilities in crime prevention and criminal justice.   Mr. Chair, The Islamic Republic of Iran has demonstrated its unwavering determination, strong commitment, and decisive role in the fight against terrorism.  We are glad to inform that now Iran has been working on drafting a comprehensive Anti-Terrorism Act. Iran continues to suffer from terrorist attacks under different forms and manifestations. Let me now refer to some of the very horrific terrorist attacks committed against the Iranian high-ranking official and world renowned anti-terrorism champion General Ghasem Soleimani, the hero of combating ISIL (Daesh) in 2020, and the recent terrorist attack by Zionist regime against Iran's diplomatic premises in Damascus on 1 April 2024 which resulted in martyrdom of seven Iranian senior military advisers, engaged in an official mission to combat terrorism.   Mr. Chair, I cannot conclude my remarks without addressing the atrocities that have been perpetrated against Palestinian, in particular in Gaza who are suffering from unprecedented humanitarian crisis. Within the last 7 months, the Israeli regime’s aggression in Gaza has resulted in the tragic loss of life of more than 35,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children and 80,000 injured and over two million forcibly displaced. We strongly condemn the occupying Zionist regime’s brutal attacks on the Rafah. In blatant defiance of international community’s calls, including provisional measures by International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding prevention of Genocide against Palestinian, the Zionist regime and its main supporters, continue commission of heinous crime. The international community must held Israeli regime accountable and bring the perpetrators to justice for acts of terrorism , crimes against humanity and genocide against Palestinians. We look forward to a constructive and result-oriented discussions in this session of Commission. I thank you.