In April 2000, the Governments of Canada and Italy submitted a resolution to the UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice proposing that the UN develop international guidelines to assist countries in adopting restorative justice programmes.  The proposal was made in the aftermath of the Tenth UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Treatment of Offenders that had seen substantial country interest in restorative justice.

The Basic Principles were endorsed by the Economic and Social Council in 2002.

UN Economic and Social Council Endorses Basic Principles on Restorative Justice

On July 24, 2002, the UN Economic and Social Council adopted a resolution encouraging countries to use Basic Principles on the Use of Restorative Justice Programmes in Criminal Matters in developing and implementing restorative justice in their countries.

The Need for Basic Principles

In 1997, the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice adopted a provisional agenda for the Tenth UN Crime Congress held in 2000.  Item four of that agenda was "Offenders and victims: accountability and fairness in the justice process." It was understood that this topic opened the door to discussion of restorative justice.

Proposing Basic Principles on the Use of Restorative Justice: Recognising the Aims and Limits of Restorative Justice

This focuses on the more tangible expressions of restorative justice found in the programmes frequently identified with the movement.  

Resolution Submitted by Governments of Canada and Italy in 2000

Ancillary Meetings of the 10th Congress

The Basic Principles grew out of substantial discussion on restorative justice at the United Nations 10th Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders.

Critical analysis of the United Nations Declaration of Basic Principles on the Use of Restorative Justice Programs in Criminal Matters

In this study, Nadeau examines the United Nations Declaration of Basic Principles on the Use of Restorative Justice in Criminal Matters. A literature review at the beginning covers writings dealing with definitions of restorative justice, community, and retributive justice, and with measures for determining the restorative qualities of a criminal justice system. On this basis, Nadeau analyzes the declaration itself. The analysis begins with definitions of significant terms in the document. It continues with key issues in the use of restorative practices, such as the following: free and voluntary consent; reasonable and proportionate obligations; procedural safeguards; power imbalances; safety matters; and outcomes.

Promoting Restorative Justice to the UN

This article briefly describes PFI efforts on promoting the Basic Principles.

11th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice

Several ancillary sessions at the 11th Crime Congress explored aspects of restorative justice. Also, restorative justice was included in a UN sponsored workshop.