Press
Release ECE/GEN/99/31
Geneva, 13 December
1999
INTERNATIONAL
COOPERATION AGAINST INTERNATIONAL CRIME
Conference on Organised Crime in Geneva concludes
A conference on
the themes of "Justice, banking and financial institutions fighting criminal
activities" took place on 9-10 December 1999 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. It
was organised by the Crans Montana Forum under the auspices of the United Nations Economic
Commission for Europe (UN/ECE) and the Council of Europe.
In his concluding remarks, Yves Berthelot,
Executive Secretary of the UN/ECE, noted that the last few years have seen an increase in
corruption and organised crime, especially in Europe. This increase has become a major
area of concern to the international community. The debates that took place over the two
days seemed to indicate that corruption and organised crime are enhanced by certain
factors, including a feeble State; inadequate laws that lead to a black-market economy;
gaps in legislation, or, where the legislation does exist, its lack of implementation; the
transfer of information through electronic systems and the appearance of electronic money;
fiscal havens, the lack of transparency of the international financial markets; and the
fact that the regulatory mechanisms of the international system are not adapted to recent
economic and technological developments.
This increase in organised crime is mostly
concentrated around corruption, drug trafficking and money laundering that are associated
with it. Another branch of organised crime which has grown considerably over the last few
years is that of trafficking in women and children. This issue will be discussed more
in depth during the Conference on Women "Beijing +5" organised by the
UN/ECE, which will take place from 19 to 21 January 2000.
The Conference on Organised Crime,
however, emphasised that the fight against the causes of this increase in organised crime
was taking place on several levels, notably at institution and rule level. Over the last
decade, institutional development has been remarkable, thanks to UN and Council of Europe
Conventions, WTO and IMF norms, and EC directives.
Thus, the standards to be applied in
the implementation of custom duties published by the WTO have reduced the possibilities of
fraud, just as the recommendations made by the IMF have improved banking supervision
rules, and have improved transparency. However, the application of such laws stumbles over
the insufficient cooperation between the judiciary and the police, the training of police
inspectors (the creation of teams of police chiefs dedicated to the inspection of accounts
was suggested), the independence of the judiciary (examples were given of judges who were
put under pressure whilst investigating political or powerful persons). Overall, it was
agreed that the fight against international organised crime can only be efficient if
international cooperation is improved.
However, international cooperation is
difficult, since the concept of what makes up organised crime is not the same in all
countries, and national laws are not uniform. The prosecution of a crime across borders is
difficult, sometimes even impossible, when the crime is international in nature.
International cooperation often stumbles over issues of sovereignty, confidentiality, and
trust between police forces. Cooperation is slow, whereas it does not take long to muddle
a trail by using dummy accounts.
Cooperation is, however, developing; it is
ongoing at the legislative level, with the harmonisation of national concepts and laws. As
for international prosecution, agreements similar to those in force in Switzerland upon
follow-up to a criminal affair from one canton to another were proposed, as was the idea
that a pan-European Public Prosecutor’s team could call up judges from various
countries to contribute to the effort. Interpol has opened files on the laundering of drug
money, organised crime in Eastern Europe, credit card abuse, computer-linked crime, etc,
in which the information is organised by criminal cases.
Mr. Berthelot underlined the importance of
raising awareness of organised crime, and the need for citizens and politicians to
recognise it as an issue affecting the development of their country, as well as affecting
each individual, whether as a consumer, tax-payer, or entrepreneur. This awareness is
growing, even if it cannot be substantiated with figures. The increase in the number of
meetings held on this topic is a reason for hoping that in the long term things will
improve.
For further information please
contact:
Information Unit
United Nations Economic Commission
for Europe (UN/ECE)
Palais des Nations, Room 356
CH - 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
Tel: +(41 22) 917 44 44
Fax: +(41 22) 917 05 05
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.unece.org