About the IAP
The International Association of Prosecutors (IAP) is a non-governmental and non-political organisation; it is the first and only worldwide organization of prosecutors. The Association has over 170 Organisational Members – including associations of prosecutors, prosecuting agencies and crime prevention agencies – and together with its individual membership it represents over 250,000 prosecutors in over 156 different countries.
The IAP was established in June 1995 at the United Nations offices 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 serious transnational crime; particularly drug trafficking, money laundering and fraud. The need was perceived for greater international co-operation between prosecutors and for greater speed and efficiency in mutual assistance, asset tracking and other international co-operative measures.
The IAP elects a President, six Vice-Presidents and a Secretary-General, and appoints a General Counsel, who are ex officio members of its governing body, the Executive Committee. The immediate Past Presidents remains a supernumerary member for up to three years. The Executive Committee also consists of no fewer than 10 and not more than 30 appointed members, generally reflecting the regions of the world where the IAP has members. There are at present 31 members from 29 countries.
The Senate of the Association consists of past members of the Executive Committee. It operates in conjunction with the President and the Executive Committee. The Senate discharges advisory and other responsibilities to promote the objects and functioning of the Association.
The IAP Secretariat is based in The Hague where the Secretary-General of the association Mr. Derk Kuipers and the Office Manager Mrs. Evie Sardeman are located. The Secretary General is the Chief Executive of the Association and manages its day-to-day affairs. The General Counsel Miss Elizabeth Howe is a Chief Crown Prosecutor and is seconded to the association by the Crown Prosecution Service of England and Wales and is responsible for the Association's Professional work programme. The Communication Manager, Mrs. Janne Holst Hübner has since 2008 been seconded to the association by the Director of Public Prosecutions of Denmark and is responsible for the Association's Network and Communication Fora to include websites and conferences.
A. To promote the effective, fair, impartial and efficient prosecution of criminal offences;
B. 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
C. To promote high standards and principles in the administration of criminal justice, including procedures to guard against or address miscarriages of justice, in support of the rule of law;
D. To promote and enhance those standards and principles which are generally recognised internationally as necessary for the proper and independent prosecution of offences
E. To assist prosecutors internationally in the fight against organised or other serious crime, and for that purpose:1. To promote international co-operation in gathering and providing evidence; in tracking, seizing and forfeiting the proceeds of serious crime; and in the prosecution of fugitive criminals.
2. To promote speed and efficiency in such international co-operation
F. To promote measures for the elimination of corruption in public administration
G. To promote the professional interests of prosecutors and to enhance recognition of their crucial role in achieving criminal justice
H. 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
I. To promote examination of comparative criminal law and procedure and to assist prosecutors engaged in judicial reform projects
J. To co-operate with international juridical organisations in furtherance of the foregoing objects.
Apply for IAP Membership
Organisational Membership is open to:1. An association of prosecutors organised on a country or a jurisdictional basis
2. A prosecution service organised on a country or a jurisdictional basis
3. An organisation, agency or foundation established for the promotion of crime prevention measures and the functions of which are closely connected with the prosecution of crime or an international unit, body, organisation or forum established by (a) state(s) or by (a) prosecution service(s) to stimulate and improve coordination and cooperation between competent national prosecuting authorities may be eligible for organisational membership.
Individual membership is open to lawyers who are, or had been prosecutors. “Prosecutor” means any lawyer who is or had been appointed by or on behalf of the state or other public authority to prosecute criminal offences or who is or had been elected for that purpose and includes lawyers who have regularly been retained by a prosecutor so appointed or elected to conduct or assist in the conduct of criminal prosecutions and also includes examining magistrates;
For more information regarding IAP Membership please visit the IAP Secretariat Counter during the conference or visit the IAP website: www.iap-association.org.
