International Association of Prosecutors
The International Association of Prosecutors (IAP) is the only global non-governmental organisation of prosecutors, established by the United Nations in 1995, Vienna.
Organisation includes about 200,000 members from over 120 states.
It was established due to rapid growth in transnational crime like drug trafficking, money laundering and fraud. From its website, "The IAP is the only worldwide organization of prosecutors. It was established in 1995 and now has more than 145 organizational members from over 96 different jurisdictions, representing every continent, as well as many individual members.
The website sets out the objects of the IAP. All organizational members of the IAP are expected to commit to the Standards of Professional Responsibility and Statement of the Essential Duties and Rights of Prosecutors adopted by the IAP in 1999. In April 2013 a complaint was lodged against an Executive Committee member, Dr. Ali bin Fadhel Al- Buainain who as head of the Office of Public Prosecution in Bahrain has acted contrary to these standards by prosecuting Bahraini nationals for activities protected by the rights to freedom expression and assembly and for failing to adhere to fair procedures and due process standards, as asserted by Ceartas Irish lawyers for Human Rights.[1] On April 22nd 2013, IAP President James Hamilton acknowledged receipt of the complaint and stated that it is “something we’re going to look very carefully at”, and the outcome “will certainly set a precedent for how we deal with a complaint”.[2] Nevertheless, Dr. Ali bin Fadhel Al- Buainain has sought to be re-elected to the IAP Executive Committee at the 18th Annual General Meeting of the IAP on September 11, 2013, and it has been reported by the Bahrain State News Agency that he has already been re-elected to it for another three years.[3]
Membership brings many advantages and opportunities, including the chance to attend the annual conference. As well as providing lively and interesting discussion on questions which are of practical concern to prosecutors, the annual conferences provide excellent opportunities for networking and getting to know colleagues from other countries. Annual conferences takes place in different venues each year.
Regional conferences in Africa, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe/Central Asia, North America and the Caribbean and the Asia-Pacific region are now regular events in the IAP, and are mainly aimed at front line prosecutors. Information concerning these and other events can be found on the website.
The Association also produces regular newsletters which are distributed to members. In addition a considerable amount of information on the website is available only to members including a members forum where members can exchange information and experiences. A Global Prosecutors E-Crime Network is accessible through the website and contains much information of interest to prosecutors concerning cyber crime. Similarly the ‘Forum for International Criminal Justice’ is also accessible via the website for those seeking information and contacts in that area."