The Review Mechanism of the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime and Its Protocols : An Analysis Based on Peer Review Methodology

This essay analyses the main features of the Review Mechanism of the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and its Protocols, in the perspective of the peer review methodology. Some interesting indications as to the Review Mechanism’s legitimacy may be drawn from comparing it with other peer review systems in the field of transnational criminal law and human rights law. Although the UNTOC Review Mechanism’s institutional design reveals many structural flaws, a strong commitment by the States parties to promoting the best standards of the peer review methodology could arguably contribute to increasing its overall legitimacy and effectiveness, far beyond its formal constraints.