The Role of Non-Governmental Organizations in Civil Society in Crime Prevention within Iran’s Criminal–Legislative Policy

Abstract

The role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), as one of the most significant institutions of civil society, has gained a special position in modern criminal policy in recent decades. Public participation through these organizations not only strengthens the sense of social responsibility and civic solidarity but also plays an effective role in crime prevention and the reform of criminogenic contexts through education, social supervision, civic advocacy, and cooperation with formal institutions of criminal justice. In Iran’s criminal policy, although the legislator—especially in higher-level policy documents and development laws—has emphasized the necessity of public participation and the utilization of NGO capacities, the existing legislative system still lacks the coherence and efficiency required to institutionalize such participation. Weak legal frameworks, the absence of supportive enforcement guarantees, the security-oriented attitude toward civic activities, and the lack of coordination between governmental and non-governmental institutions have prevented the full realization of the potential capacity of these organizations in crime prevention. This article, using a descriptive–analytical method, examines the position of NGOs in the theories of civil society and participatory criminal policy, analyzes the legislative situation of Iran in this regard, and finally offers suggestions for revising the country’s criminal–legislative policy to strengthen the role of NGOs in crime prevention.