Strasburg, 28^th May 1970

The Ministers taking part in the VIth Conference of European Ministers of Justice,

Mindful of the rapid changes in contemporary society which call for an examination of the extent to which kinds of behaviour now falling within the scope of the criminal law might be excluded from legal control;

Considering also that it is essential to study whether classes of acts now dealt with by criminal sanctions might be dealt with by sanctions not coming under the criminal law or by social measures, bearing in mind the drawbacks attaching to the use of the criminal law and the advantages in the use of other means;

Welcoming therefore the decision of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to authorise the European Comittee on Crime Problems to study these questions;

Having taken note of the report presented by the Italian Minister of Justice and the communications of the Danish and Dutch Ministers;

Considering that a study of the criteria which should, in the present circumstances, determine the field of action of the criminal law constitutes a task of major importance;

Affirming that the scope of the criminal law should be no wider than necessary;