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Date: April 29, 2024 Mon
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Results for natural resources
134 results foundAuthor: Kofoed, Julie Garfieldt Title: Criminal Justice in the Netherlands Over Trade in Natural Resources Originating From Conflict Zones Summary: Natural resources such as diamonds, timber, coltan, and other minerals are often extracted from developing countries by rebel groups; and the resources are subsequently exported to developed countries as private goods. There is evidence that the presence of valuable natural resources increases the likelihood of armed conflict; and it is widely acknowledged that the sale of these natural resources is often used to fund an prolong armed conflicts. Once sold, these natural resources regularly enter developed countries, including the Netherlands, as a final destination or a transit point, whereupon they are sold and used as if they were legitimately obtained goods. Given that the countries of origin are often unable to exercise effective control over the illicit extraction and trade in resources on their territory, the IES has advocated that developed importing or transit countries take steps to block access to their national markets by criminalizing trade in resources that originate from conflict zones and that are illicitly extracted and sold. It is hoped that the prevention of access to the external market will diminish the money flow which fuels armed conflicts. It is expected that without the ability to export the illicitly obtained resources to external markets, the most important money flows that underlie or fund the continuation of armed conflict will soon dry up. Details: The Hague: Institute for Environmental Security, Amsterdam International Law Clinic and Bronkhorst International Law Services, 2008. 64p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 8, 2010 at: http://www.envirosecurity.org/pathfinder/Criminal_Jurisdiction.pdf Year: 2008 Country: Netherlands URL: http://www.envirosecurity.org/pathfinder/Criminal_Jurisdiction.pdf Shelf Number: 120262 Keywords: Illegal TradeNatural ResourcesOffenses Against the EnvironmentOrganized CrimeWildlife Crimes |
Author: Panel of Experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo Title: Final Report of the Panel of Experts on the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources and Other Forms of Wealth of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Summary: June 2000, the Council requested the U.N. Secretary-General to establish the Panel to follow up on reports and collect information on all activities of illegal exploitation of natural resources and other forms of wealth of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Panel was also mandated to research and analyse the links between the exploitation of the natural resources and other forms of wealth in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the continuation of the conflict. The Panel’s first report, issued on 12 April 2001 (document S/2001/357), stated that illegal exploitation of the mineral and forest resources of the Democratic Republic of the Congo was in the form of mass-scale looting, as well as "systematic and systemic exploitation", which required planning and organization. Key individual actors -- on the one hand, including top army commanders and businessmen, and government structures, on the other -- have been the engines of that systematic and systemic exploitation. The report named functionaries, companies, banks and individuals involved in the exploitation. The current report notes that the "elite networks" involved in resource exploitation are changing their tactics, as national armies begin withdrawals from the eastern Congo, where a self-financing war economy had been built, centring on mineral exploitation. The Governments of Rwanda and Zimbabwe, as well as powerful individuals in Uganda, have adopted strategies for maintaining the mechanisms for revenue generation, many of which involve criminal activities, once their troops have departed. The elite network of Congolese and Zimbabwean political, military and commercial interests seeks to maintain its grip on the main mineral resources -- diamonds, cobalt, copper germanium -- of the government-controlled area. The network has transferred ownership of at least $5 billion of assets from the State- mining sector to private companies under its control in the past three years, with no compensation or benefit for the State treasury of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In the report, the Panel identifies the circles and individuals in the elite network and its strategies for generating revenues, in the State-controlled area, as well as areas controlled by Rwanda and Uganda. Even with the establishment of an all-inclusive government, control over natural resources would require time and would be possible only within the framework of sound institution-building. In the interim, it is the view of the Panel that continued monitoring and reporting on illegal exploitation will at least serve to deter these activities. The most important element in halting that exploitation relates to the political will of those who support, protect and benefit from the networks, the report states. The Panel does not support the imposition of an embargo or moratorium banning the export of raw materials originating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It says that, nevertheless, restrictive measures need to be taken vis-à-vis the role of companies and individuals involved in arms supply and resource plundering. There was also a need to apply forceful disincentive and incentives. The report states that an international conference on peace, security, democracy and sustainable development in the Great Lakes region would be an ideal forum at which to address the reorientation of the regional trading system to post-conflict imperatives, and for negotiating the framework of a multilateral agreement to carry it out. In further recommendations, the Panel calls for institutional reforms, financial and technical measures, and a monitoring process that could report to the Security Council on a regular basis. Details: Vienna: United Nations Security Council, 2002. 59p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 15, 2011 at: www.grandslacs.net/doc/2477.pdf Year: 2002 Country: Congo, Democratic Republic URL: Shelf Number: 121009 Keywords: Crimes Against NatureIllegal MiningIllegal TradeNatural Resources |
Author: Osaghae, Eghosa E. Title: Youth Militias, Self Determination and Resource Control Struggles in the Niger-delta Region of Nigeria Summary: The Niger-delta region, Nigeria’s oil belt has been the site of a generalised ethnic and regional struggle for self-determination since 1998, the location of often violent confrontations between local ethnic communities and agents of the Nigerian state and oil companies involved in the extraction and exploitation of oil in area. What began as community agitation has undoubtedly undergone several transformations. The first profound transformation was the flowering of civil society, which mobilised a popular civil struggle. In the second, the agitation was extended from that against multinational oil companies (MNCs) to include the Nigerian state. The third transformation involved the elevation of the agitation from purely developmental issues to include the political demands such as federal restructuring, resource control and the resolution of the national question through a conference of ethnic nationalities. The current and fourth stage of the transformation has seen the entrance of youths, youth militancy and youth militias with volatile demands and ultimatums that has elevated the scale of confrontations and violence with the multinationals and the state. The youths presently spearhead and constitute the vanguard of Niger-delta conflict. They chart the course of methods, tactics and strategies and define the conflicts. They drive and run the conflicts and determine the very essence of its momentum, vitality, vocalisation and diction. The insurgency has involved diverse youth militias, well armed, fairly well trained and equipped, using largely speed boats and operating fairly freely in the swamps, creeks, estuaries, rivers and coastal areas of the region, who engage the Nigerian military and seize oil facilities, ships, barges, workers and equipment. Increasingly, the youth militancy has become criminalised, with the region being transformed into an arena of economic crimes, violence and wars between ethnic and communal groups. The present youth-led collective action in the Niger-delta draws inspiration from the 1966 declaration of a Niger-delta republic by a group of educated youths led by cadet sub inspector Isaac Adaka Boro that involved an armed insurrection against the Nigerian state and the seizing of oil facilities. The conflicts have witnessed massive deployments of the Nigerian Army, Navy and other security agencies and represent the most prolonged, extensive and intensive internal military action since the Nigerian civil war», with devastating negative impact on local and national security and stability, and on global economic growth. The negative impact of violence associated with youth-led self-determination struggles in the Niger-delta raises the need for an in-depth examination of the youth, militias and self-determination nexus in the Niger-delta. In other words, there is a need to understand the history, changing contexts and local and social processes and dynamics of the conflicts in the Niger-delta to guide policy-making. Who are the main parties to the conflict? What are their perceptions, values, attitudes and interests? What has been the role of civil society, gender, local elite, traditional governance structures in the prosecution, sustenance and management of the conflicts? How do youths perceive, formulate and respond to the resource control struggles? What social, economic, cultural and political processes conduce with youth responses and methods? What are the methods, strategies and consequences of youth engagement? What is the nature of state, corporate and international perceptions, responses and interventions? What are the efforts and results of conflict containment, management and peacemaking efforts and peacekeeping efforts? The objectives of the study are to examine: a) The resource struggles and conflicts in the Niger-delta region and the role of youths in it; b) The objectives, methods, strategies and conducts of youth engagement; c) The youth movements and militias and their confrontations with the Nigerian state, MNCs and other ethnic groups/communities; d) The results, ramifications and implications of the conflicts; and e) The interventions and policies, their effectiveness or otherwise and efforts at peacemaking. Details: Dakar, Senegal: : Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa, 2011. 108p. Source: Internet Resource: CODESRIA Research Reports: No. 5: Accessed March 23, 2011 at: http://www.codesria.org/IMG/pdf/CDP_Nigeria2.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Nigeria URL: http://www.codesria.org/IMG/pdf/CDP_Nigeria2.pdf Shelf Number: 121102 Keywords: Economic CrimesNatural ResourcesYouth MilitiasYouth Violence |
Author: de Koning, Ruben Title: Conflict Minerals in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: Aligning Trade and Security Interventions Summary: Mineral resources have played a crucial role in fuelling protracted armed conflict in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Illegal armed groups, state forces and civilian authorities are all involved in illicit rent seeking from the mineral sector, with serious repercussions for security, human rights and development. This Policy Paper examines the the prospects for and interactions between various trade- and security-related initiatives that are aimed at demilitarizing the supply chains of key minerals. It also describes the changing context in which such initiatives operate following a series of military campaigns against illegal armed groups. Finally, it offers policy recommendations for how the Congolese Government and international actors can coordinate and strengthen their responses in order to break resource–conflict links in eastern DRC. Details: Stockholm: Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, 2011. 42p. Source: Internet Resource: SIPRI Policy Paper 27: Accessed July 6, 2011 at: Year: 2011 Country: Congo, Democratic Republic URL: Shelf Number: 121979 Keywords: Armed ConflictCriminal Violence (Congo, Democratic Republic of)Illegal TradeNatural ResourcesSmuggling |
Author: de Ville, Geraud Title: Good Deal, Bad Deal. Report of the conference "Illegal Trade in Natural Resources - What Can Brussels Do?" Summary: Natural resources are the backbone of the global economy. Many emerging economies are based on exporting natural resources to industrialised countries fuelling global markets in much needed raw materials. In accountable States, the income generated should be used to serve development needs, for example to finance the construction of infrastructures or programmes for poverty alleviation. However, governments sometimes lack the capacity or the legitimacy to regulate the exploitation of these assets. In these cases, natural resources can become a cause for corruption, social disputes and even violent conflicts. The problem is well known. In countries plagued by weak governance and in conflict‐ridden countries, the governments are incapable of controlling domestic resources that are being exploited criminally. These illegally extracted resources are exported owing to illegal doings of corrupt businessmen, rebels and also state and military officials. Importing countries are a key link in this dark picture as they unintentionally provide the finances that reinforce bad elements in the system. Therefore greater attention should be dedicated to their role and responsibili:es. A central element in the Institute for Environmental Security’s “Pathfinder Programme” on new legal mechanisms to combat trade in illegally extracted natural resources was the organization of a state‐of‐the‐art conference in Brussels. The idea was not to focus on one specific resource such as timber or minerals or on a specific region or country such as the DRC or Indonesia but to build bridges between practitioners and policy makers and try to understand what a regional power such as the European Union could do to help combat trade in illegally extracted natural resources. Details: The Hague: Institute for Environmental Security, 2010. 54p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 12, 2011 at: http://www.envirosecurity.org/pathfinder/conference/Report_Final_med.pdf Year: 2010 Country: International URL: http://www.envirosecurity.org/pathfinder/conference/Report_Final_med.pdf Shelf Number: 122038 Keywords: Illegal TradeNatural ResourcesOffenses Against the Environment |
Author: Global Witness Title: Digging in Corruption: Fraud, Abuse and Exploitation in Katanga's Copper and Cobalt Mines Summary: The copper and cobalt mining industry in Katanga, in southeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), continues to be plagued by fraud, abuse and political interference. Global Witness’s research confirmed entrenched patterns of illicit exports of minerals across the DRC-Zambia border, with government and security officials either turning a blind eye to false or inaccurate export certificates, or actively colluding with trading companies to circumvent control procedures. Large quantities of minerals are leaving the country undeclared, representing a huge loss for the Congolese economy – but a vast gain for a small number of powerful actors. The big influx of foreign companies pouring into Katanga since 2004 has presented yet more opportunities for the political elite to enrich itself. Historic elections scheduled for 30 July 2006 could provide a unique opportunity for fundamental reform. Global Witness’s report contains recommendations for priority actions by the new government, by companies and by international donors. These measures could have long-lasting effects for the development of Katanga province – and for the country as a whole – if they are embarked upon without delay. Details: Longon: Global Witness, 2006. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 21, 2011 at: http://www.globalwitness.org/library/digging-corruption Year: 2006 Country: Congo, Democratic Republic URL: http://www.globalwitness.org/library/digging-corruption Shelf Number: 122135 Keywords: Corruption (Katanga)Illicit Mineral TradeNatural ResourcesTheft of Minerals |
Author: Hoisington, Caroline Title: Rough Trade: How Australia's Trade Policies Contribute to Illegal Logging in the Pacific Region Summary: The Australian Government is not doing enough to ensure that Australian imports of forestry products are consistent with the goals of Australian aid programs and stated commitments to reduce greenhouse gases. Australian aid includes programs and projects to help Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Island nations to better manage their forestry resources for long-term sustainability, maximum socioeconomic benefit for their citizens and to participate in REDD (reduced emissions from deforestation and forest destruction), the innovative program rewarding carbon sequestration. Illegal logging in these countries is more extensive than generally understood and it is a serious impediment to achieving the goals of Australian aid programs. Illegal logging is a major cause of deforestation and environmental destruction; it undermines nations’ efforts to manage forest resources for a sustainable industry, destroys the livelihood of forest-dwellers and costs governments large sums in lost revenue. It fosters corruption and is associated with organised crime and violence. It undercuts the international and Australian domestic markets for wood products from legally managed forestry by being cheaper. Deforestation is responsible for about 20 per cent of global greenhouse-gas emissions, and illegal logging is responsible for a large part of the deforestation. Continued illegal logging demonstrates that governments cannot protect their forest resources and it undermines their credibility for participation in the REDD mechanism. Ultimately, illegal logging is market-driven and a significant part of the demand is international. Australia inadvertently contributes to these problems by importing timber and wood products, including wooden furniture, without adequate controls in place to ensure that the wood is legally sourced. The lack of legal mechanisms available to Customs for the control of illegal wood imports is inconsistent with the goal of Australia’s aid program, environmentally sound management of natural resources among neighbouring countries and at home. It may benefit the importers of certain products by keeping prices low but those artificially low prices undercut Australia’s own forestry and forestry-based industries. Several specific measures are recommended to ensure that timber and wood-product imports are legally sourced. Details: Bruce, ACT, AUS: The Australia Institute, University of Canberra, 2010. 93p. Source: Internet Resource: Institute Paper No. 5: Accessed July 27, 2011 at: www.tai.org.au Year: 2010 Country: Australia URL: Shelf Number: 122177 Keywords: Illegal Logging (Australia)Illegal TradeNatural ResourcesOffenses Against the EnvironmentOrganized Crime |
Author: Lopez, Alexander Title: Environmental Change, Social Conflicts and Security in the Brazilian Amazon: Exploring the Links Summary: Since the discovery of the American continent the Amazon has attracted international attention. The enormous area covered by the basin as well as the limited knowledge about its dynamics have produced through centuries a combination of myths and reality in the exploration of the basin. The stories of El Dorado and the Country of Cinnamon are starting points in the conceptualisation of the Amazon as an enormous space containing unknown richness and, therefore the origin of the international interest over this region. Nevertheless the international interest has always been present in the Amazon; it is until the 1980 when a systematic and organised international outcry began to take place. These new sets of international demands focus basically in the process of environmental change occurring in the area. Thus, attention is paid to the rate and extent of deforestation as well as to the national and international implication of such a process. The interesting aspect is that simultaneously to the process of environmental change a large number of social conflicts take place. As a result the Brazilian Amazon started to suffer abrupt changes, not only in its natural dimension, but also in its social one. Even though during the last three decades environmental change and social conflicts develop in an important magnitude, the academic debate outside Brazil has been centred in the process of environmental change. The social conflict dimension indeed has been marginalised in the analyses done up to now. Moreover, no serious academic attempt has been done in order to link in one given structure of analyses the two most important aspects of contemporary Amazon (environmental change and social conflicts). It is for the prior reason that the main objective of this dissertation is to overcome this gap by exploring the most important sources of social conflicts in the Brazilian Amazon, studying the particular contribution of environmental change to such a process. To carry out this objective I divide this dissertation in three parts containing nine chapters. Part A includes chapters I, II, and III. The main aim of this part is to provide with the necessary information of what is this dissertation about, as well as to point out what are the most important academic feeders for this study. Consequently, chapter I it is presented as the introduction in which I explain why this study is being carried out. In addition, it presents the research problem, the research questions, the main propositions, the research area, and the process of data collection. Chapter II discusses what I call the academic feeders of this dissertation. This is the most important work done in relating environmental matters to security and violent conflict. In particular it evaluates the contributions and limitations of what is called here the environmental security approach and the environmental conflict approach. This serves as background for the discussion presented in chapter III where I will present most of the research design adopted in this dissertation. Thus, chapter III shows my own theoretical methodological proposal for undertaking this research. Using a systemic perspective I specify a set of four independent variables with possible incidence in the value of the dependent variable (social conflicts). Thus, I place environmental change, land and income distribution, allocation of resources, and population growth as independent variables. However, the term independent does not mean that there is not relation between them, on the contrary it is by understanding the links among them that one can get a better knowledge of the situation in the Brazilian Amazon. Part B encompasses chapter IV and V. Chapter IV provides an overview of the most influential historical elements in terms of the research problem. This chapter will explain why facts as the Pombal period, the rubber boom economy and specially the developmentalism idea are important elements for understanding the current situation in the Brazilian Amazon. Chapter V applies the macro perspective to the Brazilian Amazon. It exhibits an analysis of the current system dynamics. The evaluation of such dynamics is done in two levels. First, I present the system-suprasystem interactions (Brazilian Amazoninternational community). The links are understood and related to the arguments presented in the environmental security approach (chapter II). The second level focuses on the main internal attributes of the system. This is done in order to facilitate the understanding of the case studies and it is related to the environmental conflict approach. Finally part C encompasses the remaining chapters (VI to IX). This part presents a detailed evaluation of the main sources of social conflicts in Roraima and Pará and the possible contribution of environmental change to the conflict dynamic. At the same time I point out some of the main links between the subsystems (Roraima and Pará), and between them and the Brazilian Amazon (chapters VI and VII). In chapter VIII I use the comparative method in order to evaluate the cases of Roraima and Pará. In order to carry out this task I use partially Mill’s methods of difference. This is done basically in order to see the specific contribution of environmental change to the social conflicts taking place in the Brazilian Amazon. At the end this chapter provides the major findings obtained through the case studies. Finally chapter IX relates the empirical findings to the initial discussion on social conflicts and security. In addition, it provides a suggestion for future research based on what has been discussed throughout this study. Details: Oslo: University of Oslo, Department of Political Science, 2000. 229p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 1, 2011 at: http://www.sv.uio.no/isv/ Year: 2000 Country: Brazil URL: http://www.sv.uio.no/isv/ Shelf Number: 122580 Keywords: Natural ResourcesOffenses Against the Environment (Brazil) |
Author: Skinnider, Eileen Title: Victims of Environmental Crime – Mapping the Issues Summary: In recent years, with greater understanding of the need to protect the environment and a better appreciation of what the environment can and cannot sustain, regulation, and in some cases, criminalization of harm to the environment is becoming more accepted. Environmental crime has been identified as one of the most profitable and fastest growing areas of international criminal activity, with increasing involvement of organized criminal networks. Serious environmental harms committed by otherwise legitimate corporations for financial motives are increasingly attracting media attention. At the 12th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (2010), the international community acknowledged the challenges posed by emerging forms of crime that have significant impact on the environment and called on Member States to study this issue and share best practices. Despite this growing awareness, environmental crimes often fail to prompt the required response by governments, the enforcement community and the public. Often perceived as “victimless”, environmental crimes do not always produce an immediate consequence, the harm may be diffused or go undetected for a lengthy period of time. Added to this is the fact that many environmental disruptions are actually legal and take place with the consent of society. Classifying what is an environmental crime involves a complex balancing of communities’ interest in jobs and income with ecosystem maintenance, biodiversity and sustainability. Environmental crime affects all of society. It can have detrimental consequences on the economies and security of a country. For individuals and communities, it may impact public health, livelihoods, and lower property values, as well as impacting on non-human species, nature itself and future generations. The effects of a single environmental offence may not appear significant but the cumulative environmental consequences of repeated violations over time can be considerable. Victims of environmental harm are not widely recognized as victims of “crime” and thus are excluded from the traditional view of victimology which is largely based on conventional constructions of crime. This has meant little attempt to describe the actual prevalence and consequences of environmental crime victimization. Environmental crime victims challenge the traditional victimology approach as they are often victimized collectively and can involve non-conventional victims (non-human species, the environment and future generations). The far-reaching impacts of environmental crime raise complex and unique issues for both victims and government. The objective of this report is to advance the knowledge of the legal and policy issues for victims of environmental crime. Historically, research on environmental crime has lacked the theoretical and methodological depth that has been undertaken for other traditional crimes. In particular, the field of victimology has paid little attention to this type of victimization or to understand how it differs from other types of victimization. Nor has it considered implications for these victims in seeking access to justice, redress, assistance and support. This research maps out the issues relating to victims of environmental crime and identifies topics requiring further study. Part I provides a brief overview of the international and domestic legal framework, using Canada as the case study, before examining some of the conceptual debates regarding definitions and philosophical perspectives. Part II explores the range and types of victims, mapping out the issues for further study. Part III sets out the legal and quasi-legal bases upon which victims of environmental crime can access justice and apply for various types of remediation. Details: Vancouver: International Centre for Criminal Law Reform and Criminal Justice Policy, 2011. 86p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 17, 2011 at: http://www.icclr.law.ubc.ca/files/2011/Victims%20of%20Environmental%20Crime.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Canada URL: http://www.icclr.law.ubc.ca/files/2011/Victims%20of%20Environmental%20Crime.pdf Shelf Number: 122770 Keywords: Natural ResourcesOffenses Against the Environment (Canada)Organized CrimeWildlife Crime |
Author: Brown, David W. Title: Bridging the Information Gap: Combating Illegal Logging in Indonesia Summary: Spanning around 100 million hectares, the forests of Indonesia constitute 10 percent of the world’s remaining tropical forests and provide people with a variety of benefits or “ecosystem services.” For instance, local communities rely on the forests for food, medicine, fresh water, and building material. The global community relies on them for carbon sequestration, timber, and tourism. In addition, the forests of Indonesia are a biodiversity “hotspot,” with new species discovered every year. In view of the importance of its forests, Indonesia — both on its own and in partnership with donor countries and world experts — has incorporated themes of “sustainable forest management” and “combating illegal logging” into its forest governance since the mid-1990s. Despite these efforts, during the first half decade of the new millennium, deforestation rates increased year on year (from 0.2 million hectares in 2000/2001 to 1.2 million hectares in 2004/2005, the last year such data were reported). The causes of Indonesia’s forest loss are diverse, but it is widely recognized that illegal logging is a major contributor. Estimates of the scale of this illegal activity vary widely. One study found that three quarters or 40 million out of the 53 million cubic meters of logs consumed by Indonesia’s mills (and mostly exported in the form of moldings, sawn timber, plywood, pulp, and paper) in 2003, came from unknown and/ or illegal sources. This equated to $1.4 billion in lost revenue to the government in 2003 alone. Moreover, this estimate did not include the additional volume of logs illegally exported from Indonesia, which another study estimated at 10 million cubic meters per year. In order to pinpoint the identity of the actors perpetrating these crimes, and thereby reduce illegal trade, better information is needed in areas such as: changes in forest cover; timber concession and plantation boundaries; administrative boundaries; and sources of raw material for timber mills. Many stakeholders have recognized the importance of such information and several experts and policymakers have tried to develop such databases. However, forest data continues to be scattered throughout the archipelago and across different government departments and non-government organizations. Where information exists, much of it needs to be updated and improved. Details: Washington, DC: World Resources Institute, 2009. 20p. Source: Internet Resource: WRI Forest Note: Accessed September 29, 2011 at: http://pdf.wri.org/bridging_the_information_gap.pdf Year: 2009 Country: Indonesia URL: http://pdf.wri.org/bridging_the_information_gap.pdf Shelf Number: 122961 Keywords: Illegal Logging (Indonesia)Natural ResourcesOffences Against the Environment |
Author: Martinsohn, Jann Th. Title: Deterring Illegal Activities in the Fisheries Sector: Genetics, Genomics, Chemistry and Forensics to Fight IUU Fishing and in Support of Fish Product Traceability Summary: Marine fish are a precious natural resource and their exploitation for nutrition and income is deeply embedded in human culture. However, massive fishing activity, both legal and illegal, has had dramatic impacts, and poses a threat to the future of the fisheries sector. Virtually 70% of the world’s fish stocks are fully exploited, overexploited or in a state of collapse. European waters are not exempt, with almost 90% of fish stocks being overexploited. IUU fishing (Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported fishing) is vastly contributing to this situation. In 2010, the value of IUU fi shing amounted to 10-20 billion Euros annually, with at least 1.1 billion Euros worth of illegal fish being imported into the European Union every year. Furthermore, fraud along the supply chain with fish products sold under false labels, such as low-cost catfish as valuable sole or cod fillets, poses additional challenges. These illegal activities have severe adverse effects, as they undermine sustainable fisheries, cause destruction of marine ecosystems, obstruct socioeconomic development, and impede consumer information and protection. A number of nations have developed strategies to deter and fight illegal fishing activities, and numerous countries have adopted the International Plan of Action to prevent, deter and eliminate IUU Fishing (IPOAIUU), that has been developed in 2001 within the framework of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries by the FAO. The European Union has recently taken further initiatives and developped two major and complementing legal instruments: in January 2010, Council regulation (EC) No 1005/2008 (1), - the ‘IUU regulation’, entered into force, and in November 2009, Council regulation (EC) No 1224/2009[1] (2) - the new Control regulation- establishing a Community control system was adopted and is in the process of being implemented. Both regulations place emphasis on detailed catch documentation and traceability for fishery products ‘from ocean to fork’, that is, covering all stages of the supply chain from catch, to landing, transport, processing, and the markets. Traceability is generally acknowledged as being a highly powerful tool in support of monitoring, control and enforcement in the fisheries sector. However, currently it is mainly based on certificates accompanying goods, and labelling of products, both measures which are vulnerable to falsification. So how can inspectors and control and enforcement authorities validate and authenticate the information provided by documentation? How can the industry assure that the fish it is processing and selling is what it is supposed to be, e.g. the correct species and fi shed legally? And finally how can the consumer be certain that the information provided for fish products is correct? A system is needed to effectively trace fish products throughout the food supply chain that is supported by independent control measures. Likewise control and enforcement authorities need efficient analytical tools for generating evidence in court trials. Molecular techniques based on genetics, genomics and chemistry, and embedded in a forensic framework, have great potential in this respect. This JRC report describes available molecular techniques and technologies and discusses how these can be used for traceability and in support of fisheries control and enforcement. The report provides examples of cases where molecular techniques were employed to reveal fisheries fraud and to generate evidence in court cases. These examples clearly demonstrate the feasibility and operational potential of the techniques in real-world contexts. Furthermore, the report explores possibilities for translating forensic genetics and chemistry into a European fisheries control and enforcement framework, within the context of the current EU policies and legislation. Details: Brussels: Publications Office of the European Union, 2011. 76p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 28, 2011 at:http://ec.europa.eu Year: 2011 Country: Europe URL: http://ec.europa.eu Shelf Number: 123164 Keywords: Consumer FraudFish Trade, Corrupt PracticesFishery Law and RegulationIllegal Fishing (Europe)Natural Resources |
Author: Pole Institute Title: Blood Minerals: The Criminalization of the Mining Industry in Eastern DRC Summary: The socio-economic consequences of persistent conflict and state failure in Eastern Congo and the search for ways in which the Congolese can reappropriate their own destiny have always been at the heart of the work of Pole Institute. Partly triggered by Pole Institute's research on the mineral trade, much international discussion has arisen in recent years about reordering the Eastern Congolese economy in order to make it less conflict-prone. While recognising the good intentions behind these efforts, we are convinced that sustainable and sensible solutions can only be found by those directly concerned. For this, local actors and stakeholders need to come together in an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect in order to arrive at a common understading of the problem with a view to working out solutions. To this end, in 2010 Pole Institute has set up a Round Table around the mineral economy of Eastern Congo, uniting public and private decision makers, state reprensentatives, enterprises, mining cooperatives and civil society organisations. The first meeting of this Round Table in March 2010 gave rise to a series of written papers which are collected in this volume. They will serve as the basis for further discussion. 1. The Minerals of North Kivu: A Blessing or a Curse? In this first article Onesphore SEMATUMBA (Director of information at Pole Institute) describes the decline and deterioration of the mining sector in Eastern DRC and the way that a blessing (in terms of mineral abundance) has turned into a curse (the blood minerals over which many wars have been fought and countless civilian lives lost and societal life and structures destroyed). A sick mining industry has replaced a previously healthy and thriving agricultural and pastoral way of life. Sematumba asks: is it possible to decriminalize the mining industry and return to it some measure of national and international respectability, accountability and dignity? 2. A Congo without the Congolese. This is the illustrative phrase that Aloys TEGERA (Director of research at Pole Institute) uses in the second article in this dossier to highlight the flaws in what would otherwise be laudable efforts by the international community (e.g. Germany, the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, the World Bank) to render the minerals of the DRC ‘clean’ and conflict-free. These efforts, Tegera argues, are largely ineffectual in a bankrupt Congo in which the State has ceased to exist in many parts of the country. In order to rehabilitate and decriminalize the mining industry which, according to Tegera, generates more than two-thirds of the revenue of North Kivu, it is necessary to, in the first place, work towards the re-establishment of the Congolese state. Any efforts by the international community to re-organize and legislate for the Congolese mining industry without taking this fundamental step into account risk failure, “unless, of course, the various lobbies have in mind a Congo without the Congolese, which would clearly be absurd”. 3. A state within a state. “Bisie is a state within a state. There is no authority, either at the territorial level, or that of the province, and much less on the national level, that is able to control what goes on in this region”. Primo Pascal RUDAHIGWA journalist and vice-president of Pole Institute, gives an account of life in Bisie, a mining settlement in the deep jungle of Walikale Territory in eastern DRC in which cassiterite is produced under extremely primitive and inhuman conditions. Rudahigwa’s description of this source of cassiterite paints a vivid picture of heavy military involvement (both government army and rebel groups) and of human misery. Those who benefit from the mineral produced in Bisie (which resembles “an immense refugee camp”) are not the local inhabitants but the military and mining companies and traders based outside the region, with no interest in investing in local communities. This, for Rudahigwa, is “one more example of bad governance: those in power do nothing for the people who produce the minerals”. 4. Absence of proportion. In this forth article of the dossier Emmanuel NDIMUBANZI NGOROBA (member of Pole Institute and the Manager of the Provincial Division of Mines, North Kivu) considers the legislative instruments in place to regulate the mining industry in the DRC, and he finds that this legislation riddled with internal contradictions and incoherence. Ndimubanzi paints a picture of a largely ineffectual body of legislation as legal texts are both in outright contradiction with each other as well as with the reality of the situation on the ground. Having highlighted the problems created by contradictory legislation governing the mining sector, he proposes that similar types of legislation governing other industries be critically reviewed, especially legislation governing the agricultural industry, the environment, land and forests. 5. Bringing the Congolese people back in. This pregnant phrase by Dominic JOHNSON (a journalist and researcher, member of Pole Institute) is at the heart of the fifth and last article in this dossier: “Bringing local people back in is therefore the key to the success of reform programmes for the mineral trade in Eastern Congo”. Johnson analyses the efforts of foreign governments, NGOs, the United Nations and international regulatory frameworks (American, British, German and others) to sanitize the mining industry of the DRC. A glaring lacuna in all these efforts is the lack of involvement of the Congolese people in seeking solutions to problems that face them in their own country, and Johnson argues that unless the Congolese people are brought “back in”, all these international efforts will remain, for their originators, an exercise in creating the DRC after their own image. Johnson argues that because of this failure to include the Congolese people in crucial debate on ‘their’ issues, the international community has made a serious error of judgment in not recognizing that the situation in the east of the DRC goes beyond just a presumed squabble over minerals and raises fundamental questions of the structuring of state power which have to be taken into account by anyone hoping to work with the Congolese state in order to reform the Congolese mining sector. Details: Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo: Pole Institute, 2010. 46p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 7, 2011 at: http://www.pole-institute.org/documents/Blood_Minerals.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Congo, Democratic Republic URL: http://www.pole-institute.org/documents/Blood_Minerals.pdf Shelf Number: 123248 Keywords: Conflict MineralsMining IndustryNatural Resources |
Author: Partnership Africa Canada Title: Zimbabwe, Diamonds and the Wrong Side of History Summary: This report describes the role of diamonds in the Zimbabwean economy and their place in the country’s increasingly repressive governance. It describes growing evidence of smuggling, the militarization of diamond resources and the killing of dozens of unarmed diamond diggers by the police and armed forces of Zimbabwe. The report describes the lacklustre role in all of this played by the Kimberley Process, the multilateral body designed to regulate the world’s trade in rough diamonds, but whose members lack the initiative and the will required to investigate smuggling and non compliance, and who lack the courage required to denounce gross human rights violations in the diamond industry. The health of the world’s diamond market comes down to consumer choice. To maintain customer confidence, the onus is on the world’s diamond industry and the Kimberley Process to demonstrate beyond doubt that the diamonds it certifies are clean, and that questionable Zimbabwean goods are not tainting the wider world of diamonds. The report concludes with strong recommendations to the United Nations Security Council, the governments of Zimbabwe and South Africa, and the Kimberley Process. Our hope is that this report will strengthen the hand of Zimbabwe’s new Unity Government, safeguard human rights and put some backbone into the Kimberley Process. Details: Ottawa: Partnership Africa Canada, 2009. 16p. Source: Internet Resource: Occasional Paper # 18: Accessed November 8, 2011 at: http://www.pacweb.org/Documents/diamonds_KP/18_Zimbabwe-Diamonds_March09-Eng.pdf Year: 2009 Country: Zimbabwe URL: http://www.pacweb.org/Documents/diamonds_KP/18_Zimbabwe-Diamonds_March09-Eng.pdf Shelf Number: 123260 Keywords: Diamond SmugglingDiamonds (Zimbabwe)Natural Resources |
Author: Partnership Africa Canada Title: Diamonds Without Borders: An Assessment of the Challenges of Implementing and Enforcing the KP Certification Scheme Summary: In 2010, Israel (the Chair of the KPCS) prioritized strengthening KPCS efforts to combat diamond smuggling. In support of this priority, PAC worked with Israel, Canada and the United States to conduct multi-stakeholder consultations in four West African countries and to organize an Enforcement Seminar during the KPCS Intersessional in Tel Aviv (June 2010). The results of these activities can be found in this report on diamond smuggling, which was presented to the KPCS Plenary in November 2010. Details: Ottawa: Partnership Africa Canada, 2010. 28p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 8, 2011 at: http://www.pacweb.org/Documents/diamonds_KP/Diamonds_Without_borders-Nov2010_Eng.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Africa URL: http://www.pacweb.org/Documents/diamonds_KP/Diamonds_Without_borders-Nov2010_Eng.pdf Shelf Number: 123261 Keywords: Diamond SmugglingNatural Resources |
Author: Standing, Andre Title: Making Transparency Work in Africa's Marine Fisheries Summary: Global problems facing the marine fisheries sector, including overfishing and the marginalization of the small-scale sector, are leading to increased international awareness of the need to improve transparency in fisheries governance. This Issue paper considers the situation in Africa, where access to information on commercial fisheries and related investments, including foreign aid for fisheries development and marine conservation, are generally lacking. It suggests improving transparency may lead to important gains, such as reducing corruption, improving the effectiveness of aid, and combating illegal fishing. However, the extent to which transparency can make a difference in these areas depends on a number of conditions, including the strength of mediating organisations, the strength of accountability mechanisms, and whether there are robust means to allow for ‘principal-led’ transparency. The paper reflects on the value of establishing a dedicated transparency initiative for marine fisheries inspired by the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). Details: Bergen: Chr. Michelsen Institute (U4 Issue 2011:11) 35 p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 29, 2012 at: http://www.u4.no/publications/making-transparency-work-in-africa-s-marine-fisheries/ Year: 0 Country: Africa URL: http://www.u4.no/publications/making-transparency-work-in-africa-s-marine-fisheries/ Shelf Number: 124320 Keywords: CorruptionFisheriesIllegal FishingNatural ResourcesWildlife Crime |
Author: LeBillon, Philippe Title: Extractive Sectors and Illicit Financial Flows: What Role for Revenue Governance Initiatives? Summary: Countries highly dependent on natural resources are among the most severely affected by the problem of illicit financial flows. Despite a lack of definite studies proving the correlation between higher dependency on natural resources and higher levels of illicit flows, there are grounds to believe extractive industries’ revenues provide a large contribution to these flows. Most existing initiatives to address governance issues in extractive sectors have not been designed with the problem of illicit financial flows in mind. They have generally contributed to increased levels of transparency in the sector but have not significantly influenced the likelihood that revenues from natural resources will be misappropriated and illicitly transferred. But extractive industries initiatives can be improved in this regard, and development aid, along with other stakeholders, can help. Among other priorities, transparency initiatives should demand higher disaggregation of information disclosed by extractive companies and host governments. Transparency requirements should extend beyond revenues to licensing, contracts, physical resource flows, and other production factors, as well as to public expenditure. Extractives transparency initiatives also need to integrate elements of the tax justice and tax evasion agendas in order to expand their relevance to the effort to reduce illicit financial flows. Details: Bergen: Chr. Michelsen Institute (U4 Issue 2011:13) 41 p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 29, 2012 at: http://www.u4.no/publications/extractive-sectors-and-illicit-financial-flows-what-role-for-revenue-governance-initiatives/ Year: 0 Country: International URL: http://www.u4.no/publications/extractive-sectors-and-illicit-financial-flows-what-role-for-revenue-governance-initiatives/ Shelf Number: 124321 Keywords: Financial CrimesNatural ResourcesOffenses Against the EnvironmentTax Evasion |
Author: Carius, Alexander Title: Minerals and Conflict: A Toolkit for Intervention Summary: This toolkit is part of a series that explores how development assistance can address key risk factors associated with conflict. One area that is receiving increasing attention is the relationship between natural resources and violence. In many recent conflicts, valuable or scarce resources — land, water, timber, or minerals — have played a central role in both causing and sustaining violence. In particular, valuable minerals took center stage after "conflict diamonds" or "blood diamonds" became a prominent feature of Sierra Leone's civil war. Unfortunately, competition over minerals in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has followed a similarly brutal course. This toolkit: 1) examines the relationship between valuable minerals, such as diamonds or coltan, and violence; 2) discusses lessons learned in developing programs to deal with "conflict commodities"; 3) presents a range of program options; 4) provides a survey instrument that identifies key questions related to minerals and conflict; and 5) identifies relevant USAID mechanisms and implementing partners. Monitoring and evaluation tools are being developed.Together, the elements of this toolkit are designed to raise awareness about the linkages among valuable minerals, development assistance, and conflict; and to help integrate a conflict perspective into development programming. The toolkits in this series explore individual risk factors in depth.They do not identify all relevant factors linked to violence. As such, they are designed to serve as companion pieces to conflict assessments. Conflict assessments provide a broad overview of destabilizing patterns and trends in a society.They sift through the many potential causes of conflict that exist and zero in on those that are most likely to lead to violence (or renewed violence) in a particular context. While they provide recommendations about how to make development and humanitarian assistance more responsive to conflict dynamics, they do not provide detailed guidance on how to design specific activities.The toolkits in this series are intended to fill that gap by moving from a diagnosis of the problem to a more detailed discussion of potential interventions.Together, the assessment framework and toolkits are designed to help Missions gain a deeper understanding of the forces driving violence and to develop more strategic and focused interventions. This toolkit was initially authored by a team of researchers, including Alexander Carius (Adelphi Research); Geoffrey Dabelko (Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars); Doris Capistrano (CIFOR); Moira Feil (Adelphi Research); and Jason Switzer (International Institute for Sustainable Development). It was subsequently revised with substantial input from officers in USAID Missions, other bilateral and multilateral donor agencies, academic experts, and members of the NGO community. Comments, questions, and requests for additional information should be directed to the Office of Conflict Management and Mitigation. Details: Washington, D.C.: Office of Conflict Management and Mitigation, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), 2005. 30p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 21, 2012 at http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/cross-cutting_programs/conflict/publications/docs/CMM_Minerals_and_Conflict_Toolkit_April_2005.pdf Year: 2005 Country: International URL: http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/cross-cutting_programs/conflict/publications/docs/CMM_Minerals_and_Conflict_Toolkit_April_2005.pdf Shelf Number: 124639 Keywords: Conflict MineralsIllicit Mineral TradeNatural ResourcesViolence |
Author: Banerjee, Onil Title: Socioeconomic and environmental impacts of forest concessions in Brazil a computable general equilibrium analysis Summary: Understanding the forces that drove policy in the past can inform our expectations of the effectiveness of policy implementation today. Historical analysis suggests that forest policies of countries with significant forested frontiers transition through stages reflecting the orientation of governments toward economic development on the frontiers, namely: settlement, protective custody and management. With respect to Amazonian forests, Brazil’s path is no exception from this trend. This dissertation begins by following the trajectory of forest policy in Brazil to identify its path through the stages of policy development. Brazil is on the cusp of a transition toward the management phase of policy development. As such, the question of whether this phase will represent a break from the historical tendency of largely ineffectual forest policy is addressed. For society to accept and support a forest policy, it should generate positive socio-economic and environmental benefits. Brazil’s Public Forest Management Law (2006) and specifically the socioeconomic and environmental impacts of implementing forest concessions, are taken as a proximate indicators of whether the transition to management will in fact increase the relevance of forest policy. To evaluate these impacts, two quantitative experiments are conducted. In the first, a static computable general equilibrium model is developed to evaluate the short-run policy effect on welfare, the forestry sector and levels of legal deforestation. Given the economic importance of illegal logging and illegal deforestation in Brazil, the second experiment explicitly models these sectors. A recursive dynamic computable general equilibrium modeling framework is employed to consider the medium-term implications of the policy, to shed light on the resulting economic transition path, and to assess the short-term costs and longer-term gains resulting from policy implementation. Results of this analysis can provide important insights on forest sector and deforestation dynamics to policy makers, industry and civil society such that complimentary policies and programs may be developed to maximize benefits and minimize any negative impacts resulting from the implementation of forest concessions. Details: Gainesville, FL: University of Florida, 2008. 216p. Source: Internet Resource: Thesis: Accessed May 15, 2012 at: http://etd.fcla.edu/UF/UFE0022324/banerjee_o.pdf Year: 2008 Country: Brazil URL: http://etd.fcla.edu/UF/UFE0022324/banerjee_o.pdf Shelf Number: 125285 Keywords: Forest ManagementIllegal Logging (Brazil)Natural ResourcesOffenses Against the Environment |
Author: Kamweti, David Title: Nature and Extent of Environmental Crime in Kenya Summary: This report deals with the nature and extent of environmental crime in Kenya and was commissioned by the Environmental Crimes Project (ECP) of the Institute for Security Studies (ISS). The ECP is a project in partnership with the East African Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation (EAPCCO). Its core objective is to enhance human security by improving regional law enforcement and policymaking to fight environmental crime in eastern Africa. An environmental crime can be defined as a grave act against the environment that results in the infringement of the right of citizens to a clean and healthy environment. For such an act to constitute a crime, it must contravene laid-down legislation in the various sectors of the environment, such as forestry, water and wildlife. Environmental offences have, for a long time, been treated as misdemeanours, and not felonies. Environmental crime is a serious and growing concern, leading to the near extinction of valuable wildlife species, and significantly impacting on the biological integrity of the planet. It contributes to environmental degradation, which in turn affects the quality and quantity of environmental resources. By doing so, it leads to unhealthy competition for these scarce resources, and subsequently to volatile situations and even resource-use conflicts. As such, environmental crime impacts on human livelihoods. Details: Pretoria: Institute for Security Studies, 2009. 78p. Source: Internet Resource: Monograph 166: Accessed August 7, 2012 at: http://www.iss.co.za/pgcontent.php?UID=2764 Year: 2009 Country: Kenya URL: http://www.iss.co.za/pgcontent.php?UID=2764 Shelf Number: 125896 Keywords: Law Enforcement, EnvironmentNatural ResourcesOffenses Against the Environment (Kenya)Wildlife Crimes |
Author: Cook, Nicolas Title: Conflict Minerals in Central Africa: U.S. and International Responses Summary: “Conflict minerals” are ores that, when sold or traded, have played key roles in helping to fuel conflict and extensive human rights abuses, since the late 1990s, in far eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The main conflict minerals are the so-called the “3TGs”: ores of tantalum and niobium, tin, tungsten, and gold, and their derivatives. Diverse international efforts to break the link between mineral commerce and conflict in central Africa have been proposed or are under way. Key initiatives include government and industry-led mineral tracking and certification schemes. These are designed to monitor trade in minerals to keep armed groups from financially benefitting from this commerce, in compliance with firm-level and/or industry due diligence policies that prohibit transactions with armed groups. Congress has long been concerned about conflicts and human rights abuses in the DRC. Hearings during successive congresses have focused on ways to help end or mitigate their effects, and multiple resolutions and bills seeking the same goals have been introduced. Several have become law. The most extensive U.S. law aimed at halting the trade in conflict minerals, specifically the 3TGs, is Section 1502 of Title XV of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (P.L. 111-203). Among other ends, Section 1502 requires the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to issue rules mandating that SEC-regulated businesses that use conflict minerals in their products: • report if they obtained their mineral supplies from the DRC or nearby countries; • be permitted to label as “DRC conflict free” products that they can credibly demonstrate do not incorporate minerals sourced in a manner that directly or indirectly finances or benefits armed groups in DRC or adjoining countries; • publicly report to the SEC on those of their products which do incorporate minerals that are not “DRC conflict free”—and which may not be labeled as such—and on diligence measures used to obtain these minerals. Section 1502 raises complex rule design, compliance, cost estimate, and implementation questions, and Section 1502 advocates and critics—many politically influential—have been urging the SEC issue rules favorable to their respective views and interests. The complexity of the matters at issue and diversity of interests affected have prompted the SEC to repeatedly delay issuance of a final rule, although it is expected to act on the matter in mid-August 2012. Key rulemaking issues under debate include: • timing and a possible phase-in of rule implementation; and • what due diligence standards are to be used. There is widespread support for use of due diligence guidelines developed by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in eventual Section 1502 rules, both to ensure complementarity between U.S. and international conflict mineral trade abatement efforts, most of which employ the OECD guidelines, and to enable these schemes to mature. The State Department has provided to Congress a strategy aimed at breaking the link between mineral trade and conflict and, together with the U.S. Agency for International Development, is implementing programs in central Africa to support tracking and certification schemes; local small-scale mining communities; anti-mining labor abuse efforts; and related ends. Details: Washington, DC: Congressional Research Service, 2012. 38p. Source: Internet Resource: CRS Report R42618: Accessed August 7, 2012 at: http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/R42618.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Africa URL: http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/R42618.pdf Shelf Number: 125897 Keywords: Conflict Minerals (Africa)Forced LaborHuman Rights AbusesNatural ResourcesViolence |
Author: Title: Indonesia: Dynamics of Violence in Papua Summary: A spate of violence in Papua in May and June 2012 exposed the lack of a coherent government strategy to address this multidimensional conflict. Shootings of non-Papuans in the provincial capital Jayapura in June, likely involving pro-independence militants, were followed by the death of one of those militants at police hands, highlighting the political dimension of the problem. In Wamena, a rampage by soldiers after the death of a comrade shows the depth of distrust between local communities and the army, and the absence of mechanisms to deal with crises. The shooting of five Papuans by newly arrived members of a paramilitary police unit (Brigade Mobile, Brimob) in a remote gold-mining area of Paniai highlights the violence linked to Papua’s vast resource wealth and rent-seeking by the security apparatus with little oversight from Jakarta. While these events are still under investigation, they signal that unless the Yudhoyono government can address these very different aspects of the conflict, things may get worse. An overhaul of security policy would help. Details: Brussels: International Crisis Group, 2012. 41p. Source: Internet Resource: Asia Report N°232: Accessed August 11, 2012 at: Year: 2012 Country: Papua New Guinea URL: Shelf Number: 125978 Keywords: Natural ResourcesViolence (Papua) |
Author: Global Witness Title: Coming Clean: How Supply Chain Controls Can Stop Congo's Minerals Trade Fuelling Conflict Summary: Global Witness research in eastern Congo highlights efforts by companies and Congolese officials to lay the foundations of a conflict-free minerals trade in the shadow of entrenched military control and impunity. For nearly 15 years abusive armed groups, including factions of the Congolese national army, have preyed on the trade in tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold to fund a brutal war in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The region’s natural resource wealth is not the root cause of the violence, but competition over the lucrative minerals trade has become an incentive for all warring parties to continue fighting. The local population in North and South Kivu provinces have borne the brunt of a conflict characterised by murder, pillage, mass rape and displacement. The metals mined in eastern DRC enter global markets and make their way into products such as mobile phones, cars, planes and jewellery. Recent international efforts to tackle the trade in conflict minerals have focused on getting companies sourcing from Congo to do checks on their supply chains – known as due diligence – to make sure they are not supporting abusive armed groups through their purchases. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has facilitated the development of comprehensive due diligence guidance for companies using tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold and the UN Security Council has issued similar guidelines. In 2010 the US Congress passed the Dodd Frank Act, which contains a provision requiring US-based companies using minerals from DRC to carry out supply chain due diligence. The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has not yet issued the final rules to accompany the law’s section on conflict minerals, however, and as a result the law’s implementation has now been delayed for over a year. While the failure of the SEC to complete Dodd Frank has hampered moves to clean up supply chains internationally, Global Witness field research carried out in March 2012 in eastern DRC highlights some significant progress on the ground. Building on reforms introduced last year, the DRC government passed a law in February requiring all mining and mineral trading companies in Congo to carry out due diligence in line with OECD standards. In May 2012 the Congolese government began implementing this law with the suspension of two export houses which it claims have failed to comply. Private sector attitudes in North and South Kivu appear to be changing; one example is how local traders have recently launched an initiative to train those working in the mining sector in how to carry out due diligence. These positive moves by the Congolese authorities and some local companies come against the backdrop of continued military and militia control of mining areas and a new insurgency led by an army general who has been running a major minerals smuggling racket. Bosco Ntaganda, nicknamed ‘Terminator’, previously fought with the CNDP rebel group until his defection to the government in 2009 and is wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes. In recent years he has exercised de facto control over all Congolese army operations in eastern DRC. In April 2012 General Ntaganda and other poorly integrated ex-insurgents staged a mutiny. The fighting which followed has displaced tens of thousands of people. Details: London: Global Witness, 2012. 36p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 11, 2012 at: http://www.globalwitness.org/sites/default/files/120531_Coming%20Clean_lowres.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Congo, Democratic Republic URL: http://www.globalwitness.org/sites/default/files/120531_Coming%20Clean_lowres.pdf Shelf Number: 125992 Keywords: Minerals and Armed ConflictNatural ResourcesOffenses Against the Environment |
Author: Farah, Douglas Title: Transnational Crime, Social Networks and Forests: Using natural resources to finance conflicts and post-conflict violence Summary: Three case studies are used to argue that transnational organized crime networks for trafficking commodities, specifically timber, emerge in diverse circumstances of state strength and state absence that lead to cycles of violence. Criminal non-state armed actors operate in sub-national territories beyond state control in Petén, Guatemala, and areas of Colombia, while in Liberia, a strong but criminalized state loots the marginalized, resource-rich rural areas, rather than providing a positive state presence. The paper examines the social networks required at different nodes of the commodity chain. In all three cases, the networks rely first on traditional elites to act as local fixers, supplying the criminal state or non-state armed actor with connections to the market and financial networks needed to extract and sell the commodity. These local fixers, in turn, rely on "super fixers" to supply transport as well as weapons, ammunition and war materiel needed to fuel the violence, as well as to connect them to international "shadow facilitators" who can move illicit weapons and commodities, launder money, and obtain the fraudulent international documents, bank accounts, and shell companies needed. Timber, like alluvial diamonds, is as a ‘lootable” commodity-- extractible with low capital and skill requirements and diffusely located but often abundant in remote, porous border regions. Its transport is more bulky and detectable as well as being less valuable than diamonds and cocaine, so illegally sourced timber does not produce the discipline problems and is more easily “laundered” as legal than these other commodities. The environmental devastation created by timber harvest is especially damaging to subsistence forest-dependent communities. Palm oil, the fourth commodity examined, also has severe negative consequences for local communities and environment, but differs in that it requires the displacement of local communities in order to log and establish plantations, and requires time and capital inputs so cannot be quickly looted. Finally, palm oil is a “point source” commodity requiring centralized processing, transport, and management. These characteristics make the value of the forest land the primary source of conflict. Details: Program on Forests (PROFOR), 2012. 56p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 21, 2012 at http://www.profor.info/sites/profor.info/files/Transnationalcrime_Farah.pdf Year: 2012 Country: International URL: http://www.profor.info/sites/profor.info/files/Transnationalcrime_Farah.pdf Shelf Number: 126082 Keywords: ForestsNatural ResourcesOrganized CrimePost-Conflict ViolenceTransnational Crime |
Author: United Nations Environment Programme Title: Greening the Blue Helmets: Environment, Natural Resources and UN Peacekeeping Operations Summary: This report aims to provide a comprehensive overview of how peacekeeping operations affect and are affected by natural resources and environmental conditions. The report is divided into two main parts. Part 1 reviews the environmental management of peacekeeping operations and showcases good practices, technologies and behaviours that have already been adopted. Part 2 examines the role that peacekeeping operations have played in stabilizing countries where violent conflicts have been financed by natural resources – including diamonds, gold, timber and oil – or driven by grievances over their ownership, access and control. It has been developed by UNEP in consultation with a number of international experts and nongovernmental organizations. In particular, it draws from valuable inputs from the Swedish Defence Research Agency, the International Institute for Sustainable Development and Global Witness. In the process of conducting the analyses, extensive consultations were conducted with the Department for Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) and the Department for Field Support (DFS) at both the field and headquarter levels. The report is a component of ongoing technical collaboration between UNEP, DPKO and DFS, to increase the consideration given to natural resources and the environment in UN peacekeeping efforts. It has been developed in the context of UNEP’s mandate to “keep under review the world environmental situation in order to ensure that emerging environmental problems of wide international significance receive appropriate and adequate consideration by governments.” This report has been open to peer review by all of the current UN peacekeeping missions as well as to a selected number of international experts, academics and non-governmental organizations. The development process for this report has also been supported by UNEP’s Expert Group on Conflict and Peacebuilding. This work has been financed by the Government of Finland as a component of UNEP’s Environmental Cooperation for Peacebuilding programme. Details: Nairobi, Kenya: United Nations Environment Programme, 2012. 134p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 4, 2012 at http://postconflict.unep.ch/publications/UNEP_greening_blue_helmets.pdf Year: 2012 Country: International URL: http://postconflict.unep.ch/publications/UNEP_greening_blue_helmets.pdf Shelf Number: 126252 Keywords: Natural ResourcesPeacekeeping Operations |
Author: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Title: Wildlife and Forest Crime Analytic Toolkit Summary: Wildlife and forest offences are a complex phenomenon with many layers and dimensions. Wildlife and forest offences often result from the interplay of a multitude of factors—cultural, economic, social and environmental—and can involve a wide variety of actors. Thus, to achieve an effective response, wildlife and forest offences need to be addressed via a coordinated and multisectoral approach. This complexity makes it challenging for governments and international organizations to identify the strengths and weaknesses of and gaps in existing legislative, administrative, enforcement, judicial and preventive systems. Additionally, the fundamental difference between wildlife and forest offences and other forms of crimes should be acknowledged. Most property crimes, such as robbery, theft, arson and vandalism, are criminalized because they inflict harm on people or man-made property by creating uncertainty, diminishing confidence, and harming commerce and economic growth. All of these reasons apply for criminalizing the same acts against natural resources. However, there is an additional dimension to the fight against wildlife and forest crime; legislation to protect wildlife and forests also aims to ensure the sustainability of natural resource systems. This sets a different dynamic for wildlife and forest law enforcement, which should lead to the analysis of uses and users of wildlife resources taking into consideration the sustainability and promotion of compliance with good resource management policies. This Wildlife and Forest Crime Analytic Toolkit is intended to serve as an initial entry point for national governments, international actors, practitioners and scholars to better understand the complexity of the issue, and to serve as a framework around which a prevention and response strategy can be developed. The Toolkit provides an inventory of measures that can assist in the analysis of the nature and extent of wildlife and forest offences and in deterring and combating these offences. It is also intended to contribute to an understanding of the various factors that drive wildlife and forest offences to integrate the information and experience gained from such analysis into national, regional and international strategies. The Toolkit has been developed based on (a) lessons learned from national and international efforts to curtail illegal trade in wildlife, plants, animal derivatives and plant material, (b) scholarly analyses and the examination of cases, and (c) consultations with key stakeholders and relevant experts. The causes, components and consequences of wildlife and forest offences vary among countries, regions and societies around the world. There is no “one size fits all” solution to this issue. In formulating effective countermeasures, it is important that local patterns of wildlife and forest offences and the concerns of local communities be recognized and integrated into policy and legislation. The Wildlife and Forest Crime Analytic Toolkit is intended to provide a range of options that, in various combinations, will enable each country to assemble an integrated strategy that will be as effective as possible in meeting the country’s own unique needs. The measures set out in this Toolkit have been grouped into five key parts: legislation, enforcement, judiciary and prosecution, drivers and prevention, and data and analysis. The tools are organized thematically to ensure ease of use and to assist users in understanding the key issues confronting the system being analysed. The Toolkit in its current form will be pilot-tested in partnership with three selected national governments and will be revised to ensure that it is a practical, applicable tool. Additional material will be added as future needs are identified. Details: Vienna, UNODC, 2012. 212p. Source: Internet Resource: accessed September 17, 2012 at: http://www.unodc.org/documents/Wildlife/Toolkit.pdf Year: 2012 Country: International URL: http://www.unodc.org/documents/Wildlife/Toolkit.pdf Shelf Number: 126364 Keywords: Illegal LoggingIllegal TradeNatural ResourcesOffenses Against the EnvironmentWildlife Crimes |
Author: Elliott, Lorraine, ed. Title: Transnational Environmental Crime in the Asia-Pacific: A Workshop Report Summary: Transnational environmental crime (TEC) includes a range of activities: illegal logging and timber smuggling, wildlife smuggling, illegal fishing, the black market in Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS), the illegal movement of prohibited or regulated chemicals and hazardous and toxic wastes and, potentially, an illegal market in genetically modified organisms and illicitly obtained genetic material. Globally, the scale of transnational environmental crime has been estimated to be a black market similar in value to that of drugs or arms. The transnational dimension of this broad range of activities arises because the goods or commodities are sourced illegally and then smuggled across borders, or because they are traded in contravention of international conventions such as the Montreal Protocol (on substances that deplete the ozone layer) or CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) or the Basel Convention on the Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Wastes, or because the profits and/or perpetrators move across borders. Some commodities are laundered into the licit economy whereas others remain in the shadow illicit economy. The ‘chain of custody’ crimes associated with environmental smuggling range from small scale opportunistic activity through to systematic and large-scale organized crime that involves money laundering and corruption, parallel trading and the exchange of illegal environmental goods for other forms of illicit commodities. In the Asia Pacific, as the short papers in this workshop report attest, these are serious problems with consequences for environmental degradation and sustainable development, good governance, security, the legitimacy of legal institutions, national economies, markets, civil society and local communities. These are not, of course, simply problems ‘out there’ and we should not fall into the trap of reducing these to ‘developing country’ problems. Developed countries generate demand and provide markets for illegal environmental resources. The profits of illegal environmental goods are sometimes laundered through developed countries, facilitated by criminal groups and otherwise legitimate actors in those countries. Yet while other forms of transnational crime such as drugs smuggling, arms trafficking, people smuggling and terrorism have attracted considerable public and policy attention, TEC has been paid much less attention by academics and policy-makers alike even though it generates similar kinds of policy challenges. There is an extensive body of work within the environmental literature on individual types of illegality but little done on developing a more comprehensive global governance or international relations approach to this category of illegal transnational and global activity.2 The public Forum and round-table Workshop whose results are reported here were intended in part as a corrective to this. Rather than re-establishing the narratives about particular problems, the focus in the papers and in discussions was on policy responses. A number of important issues informed that discussion: • where should intervention be directed – prevention, interdiction, enforcement, punishment? • what do we need to manage these interventions – is this a matter of more resources and effective capacity? Or do we face broader problems of policy incoherence? • what lessons can we learn from existing policy responses in the region? Details: Canberra: Department of International Relations, RSPAS, The Australian National University, 2007. 87p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 25, 2012 at: http://ips.cap.anu.edu.au/ir/tec/publications/Transnational_environmental_crime_Asia_Pacific_workshop_report_TEC_Workshop_Report_2007.pdf Year: 2007 Country: Asia URL: http://ips.cap.anu.edu.au/ir/tec/publications/Transnational_environmental_crime_Asia_Pacific_workshop_report_TEC_Workshop_Report_2007.pdf Shelf Number: 126444 Keywords: Hazardous WastesIllegal FishingIllegal LoggingNatural ResourcesOffenses Against the Environment (Asia - Pacific RWildlife Smuggling |
Author: Arimatsu, Louise Title: Conflict Minerals: The Search for a Normative Framework Summary: The belief that the armed conflicts in the mineral-rich eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo have been perpetuated by the income from the illicit trade in these minerals has brought together a broad coalition of interests linked by a common objective: to regulate ‘conflict minerals’. This has generated a wave of initiatives, strategies and regulations involving the trade in minerals; many of these seek to prevent armed conflict while others are aimed more broadly at contributing to the maintenance of peace and security through greater transparency and good governance measures. These ambitious programmes of action, whether at international, regional or domestic levels, have raised difficult questions including how to distinguish between legal and illegal trade within an unregulated economy compounded by the existence of armed conflict. A fully regulated mining sector has the potential to offer huge rewards for local communities and the state, but whether the regulation of conflict minerals can achieve its avowed aim as a conflict-prevention strategy remains to be seen. There is an overriding need for governments to ensure that any measures adopted, whether legally binding or not, take into account any potential unintended consequences that are likely to have an adverse impact on the very communities that the measures are intended to protect. Details: London: Chatham House, 2012. 38p. Source: Internet Resource: International Law Programme Paper IL PP 2012/01: Accessed September 25, 2012 at: http://www.chathamhouse.org/sites/default/files/public/Research/International%20Law/0912pparimatsu_mistry.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Africa URL: http://www.chathamhouse.org/sites/default/files/public/Research/International%20Law/0912pparimatsu_mistry.pdf Shelf Number: 126450 Keywords: Conflict Minerals (Africa)Illegal TradeMineralsNatural Resources |
Author: Banerjee, O. Title: Modeling Forest Sector Illegality in a Dynamic Computable General Equilibrium Framework: The Case of Forest Concessions in Brazil Summary: The Brazilian forest sector has undergone crisis due to complexities involved in investment in an insecure political environment, a regime of ambiguous property rights, forest sector illegality and enormous pressure for agricultural expansion. To address these challenges, Brazil’s Public Forest Management Law was approved in 2006 enabling private forest management on public forestland. By assessing the policy in a dynamic computable general equilibrium framework we find that household welfare improves and legal forestry grows at an accelerated rate. In the absence of improved monitoring and enforcement, however, forest concessions are shown to have a depressing effect on the price of forest land and accelerate illegal forestry operations. Details: Santiago, Chile: Twelfth Annual Conference on Global Economic Analysis, 2009. 43p. Source: Conference Paper: Internet Resource: Accessed September 30, 2012 at Year: 2009 Country: Brazil URL: Shelf Number: 126520 Keywords: DeforestationForest Management (Brazil)Illegal Logging (Brazil)Natural ResourcesOffenses Against the Environment |
Author: Atta-Asamoah, Andrews Title: Addressing the 'Conflict Minerals' Crisis in the Great Lakes Region Summary: The year 2011 heralded the convergence of various initiatives seeking to curtail the financing of conflict in the Great Lakes region through the illegal exploitation of minerals. The combined effect of seeking to comply with the various processes has had significant implications at the national, regional and international levels by altering the dynamics of mineral exploitation in the region in both positive and negative ways. The positive impact has been in the area of the immense contribution of the initiatives to increased awareness of the role of illegally exploited minerals in financing conflict in the region and the need for various stakeholders to exercise responsibility in the sourcing and trading of minerals so as not to inadvertently fuel insecurity. On the flip side, however, this increased awareness has led to the labelling of minerals from the region, particularly gold, tin, tantalum and tungsten, as potential conflict minerals. While this has been important in boosting efforts at minimising conflict financing through the exploitation of minerals, the ‘conflict mineral’ label associated with the region has led to interrupted demand for minerals from the Great Lakes, the closure of some businesses dealing with the purchase and export of minerals, the loss of employment and a reduction in income within the local economy, and ultimately threatens to negatively reinforce the crisis created by the various conflicts in the region if nothing is done to stem the trend of unintended consequences. Against this background, this policy brief aims at providing a framework for responding to the unintended consequences of existing initiatives in the Great Lakes region. It details the areas of immediate impact of these initiatives, their overall impact on the trends of insecurity in the region and ways of addressing the issues in the short to medium term. Details: Pretoria: Institute for Security Studies, 2012. 4p. Source: ISS Policy Brief No. 35: Internet Resource: Accessed October 1, 2012 at http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/ISS_AddressingtheConflictMineralsCrisisintheGreatLakesRegion.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Africa URL: http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/ISS_AddressingtheConflictMineralsCrisisintheGreatLakesRegion.pdf Shelf Number: 126542 Keywords: Conflict Minerals (Africa)Illegal TradeMineralsNatural Resources |
Author: Rubin, Jeffrey Title: Conflict Minerals: What Issuers Should Know Summary: The eastern Congo has been embroiled in violent conflict for more than fifteen years. It has been estimated that the conflict has cost, directly and indirectly, over 5,400,000 lives, more than any other conflict since World War II, and has involved a profound humanitarian crisis with rape as a weapon of war. For a number of years various nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), including notably The Enough Project based in Washington, have made efforts to stem the flow of funds to rebel groups, militias, and criminal networks within the Congolese army arising from the sale of the ores originating in the eastern Congo, the so-called “conflict minerals.” The efforts by the NGOs have been intended to influence companies at the top of the minerals supply chain to use their buying power to exert pressure downward through the entire supply chain and thereby to influence their suppliers to source only conflict-free minerals. The NGOs’ efforts to highlight the conflict minerals issues have been reflected in proposed Congressional legislation since 2008. In 2010, a bill introduced by Senator Durbin and Representative McDermott became part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, as Section 1502 of the Act. This memorandum presents a summary of certain provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act and the proposed rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) relating to conflict minerals. This summary has been prepared in order to assist companies to better understand the scope of the rules the SEC is required to implement. Because the SEC has not, at the date of this memorandum, adopted its final rules, the guidance set forth herein is subject to the qualification that the SEC’s final rules may differ from its proposed rules. We encourage readers to discuss the matters reviewed in this summary with attorneys of Hogan Lovells, both to review the statutory and proposed rulemaking provisions in greater detail and to consider the implications of these provisions to the specific business operations in which the reader is engaged. At the end of this memorandum is a suggested Company Action Plan that may be helpful in assisting companies preparing to comply with the conflict minerals provisions. Details: New York: Hogan Lovells, 2012. 28p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 7, 2012 at http://www.hoganlovells.com/files/Publication/c9f789ae-791b-42b5-8af8-5ee80173b9bf/Presentation/PublicationAttachment/7cc26192-815a-4df8-bc0b-3fdeba11c55f/Rubin%20Conflict%20Minerals%20Memorandum%20%282%29.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: http://www.hoganlovells.com/files/Publication/c9f789ae-791b-42b5-8af8-5ee80173b9bf/Presentation/PublicationAttachment/7cc26192-815a-4df8-bc0b-3fdeba11c55f/Rubin%20Conflict%20Minerals%20Memorandum%20%282%29.pdf Shelf Number: 126587 Keywords: Conflict MineralsIllegal TradeMineralsNatural Resources |
Author: Nellemann, Christian Title: Protecting the Environment and Natural Resources in Conflict Areas Summary: This report offers photographs and diagrams, interspersed with text, related to the problem of protecting the environment and natural resources in conflict areas. Details: Nairobi, Kenya: United Nations Environment Programme, 2012. 33p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 17, 2012 at http://www.interpol.int/content/download/6397/51451/version/1/file/ChristianNellemann%5B1%5D.pdf2Fdownload%2F6397%2F51451%2Fversion%2F1%2Ffile%2FChristianNellemann%5B1%5D.pdf&ei=fJXPUMqbDILC0QHdooC4DA&usg=AFQjCNGm1Eiy2ToEhGdoN-0zoU3QU7X2Gg&bvm=bv.1355325884,d.dmQ&cad=rja Year: 2012 Country: International URL: http://www.interpol.int/content/download/6397/51451/version/1/file/ChristianNellemann%5B1%5D.pdf2Fdownload%2F6397%2F51451%2Fversion%2F1%2Ffile%2FChristianNellemann%5B1%5D.pdf&ei=fJXPUMqbDILC0QHdooC4DA&usg=AFQjCNGm1Eiy2ToEhGdo Shelf Number: 127235 Keywords: Armed ConflictNatural ResourcesOffenses Against the Environment |
Author: Environmental Justice Foundation Title: Party to Plunder: Illegal Fishing in Guinea and its Links to the EU Summary: In addition to a plethora of earlier international commitments, in November 2005, the UN General Assembly called on States to prohibit their vessels to engage in fishing on the high seas or in areas under the national jurisdiction of other States unless authorized by those States and to deter their nationals from reflagging their ships. The Assembly also called on flag and port States to prevent the operation of substandard vessels and illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing activities and ensure that vessels flying their flags did not engage in transshipping fish caught illegally (www.un.org). Illegal fishing by foreign trawlers in Guinea’s coastal zone is widespread and increasing, despite the attention that has been focussed on illegal fishing by the international community in recent years. Marine resources and the coastal communities that depend upon them are suffering from unsustainable fishing activities, including massive bycatch and discards, problems that are being significantly compounded by the presence of illegal fishing vessels. Illegal fishing is aided by the widespread use of flags of convenience that are used to conceal the identity of the true beneficial vessel owners. Various tactics are used to confuse the identity of fishing vessels, including multiple vessel names and frequent changes in name and registry. Penalising wrongdoers can therefore be very difficult, and penalties do not in many cases serve as sufficient deterrent given the lucrative gains to be made from illegal fishing. Some of the vessels arrested by Guinean authorities have been seen in Las Palmas, Spain, suggesting that illegal fish is being marketed in the European Community. Once the fish has been landed in Las Palmas, it is extremely difficult to track it to its final market destination. There are significant problems in the traceability of fish within the EU to ensure that illegally-caught fish does not enter the marketplace. Guinea has serious problems in keeping these illegally operating vessels at bay, given their lack of logistical and financial resources. A unique and novel experimental method has been tried in recent years by integrating artisanal fishermen in the surveillance system. Despite its promising beginning, the programme is currently facing difficulties and international support is decreasing. Regional efforts and cooperation need to be enhanced in order to ensure that enforcement efforts in one area do not result in displacement of illegal activity to more remote areas where surveillance is lacking. The European Union, as a major market for Guinean fish and an important partner though its bilateral fisheries agreement, has an important role to play. Crucially, the EU must take steps to ensure that it does not facilitate or promote IUU fishing in Guinea, by examining traceability from the sea to the marketplace; ensuring that fishing agreements promote sustainable and legal fisheries; remedying the role of Las Palmas in IUU fishing; and the involvement of EU nationals and associated companies in undertaking IUU fishing in Guinea and elsewhere in the region. Details: London: Environmental Justice Foundation, 2005. 28p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 22, 2013 at: http://www.imcsnet.org/imcs/docs/party_to_the_plunder_guinea.pdf Year: 2005 Country: Guinea URL: http://www.imcsnet.org/imcs/docs/party_to_the_plunder_guinea.pdf Shelf Number: 128074 Keywords: Illegal Fishing (Guinea)Natural ResourcesWildlife Crimes |
Author: Verité Title: Research on Indicators of Forced Labor in the Supply Chain of Shrimp in Bangladesh Summary: Verité carried out research on the presence of indicators of forced labor in the production of goods in seven countries from 2008 through 2011. Research was carried out on the production of shrimp in Bangladesh; Brazil-nuts, cattle, corn, and peanuts in Bolivia; sugar in the Dominican Republic; coffee in Guatemala; fish in Indonesia; rubber in Liberia; and tuna in the Philippines. The following report is based on research on the presence of indicators of forced labor in the Bangladesh shrimp sector. This research was not intended to determine the existence or scale of forced labor in the countries and sectors under study, but rather to identify the presence of indicators of forced labor and factors that increased workers' vulnerability to labor exploitation. Context/Objectives -- Bangladesh is a country facing high levels of poverty, with approximately 50 percent of the population living below the international poverty line. The shrimp sector has been promoted as a needed source of development, and indeed, has provided income to many workers. At the same time previous research has tied the shrimp sector to labor, environmental, and human rights abuses. However, little of the previous research specifically explored indicators of forced labor. The primary objectives of the project were to: obtain background information on the shrimp sector in Bangladesh; create a methodology to study the presence of indicators of forced labor in the Bangladesh shrimp sector; identify and document indicators of forced labor among workers in the shrimp sector in Bangladesh; document the broader working conditions that workers in the shrimp sector experience; and determine the risk factors for indicators of forced labor and other forms of exploitation in the Bangladesh shrimp sector. Details: Amherst, MA: Verite, 2012(?). 134p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 22, 2013 at: http://www.verite.org/sites/default/files/images/Research%20on%20Indicators%20of%20Forced%20Labor%20in%20the%20Bangladesh%20Shrimp%20Sector__9.16.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Bangladesh URL: http://www.verite.org/sites/default/files/images/Research%20on%20Indicators%20of%20Forced%20Labor%20in%20the%20Bangladesh%20Shrimp%20Sector__9.16.pdf Shelf Number: 128087 Keywords: Forced LaborIllegal FishingNatural ResourcesShrimp Industry (Bangladesh)Wildlife CrimesWildlife Management |
Author: Ervin, J., N. Sekhran, A. Dinu. S. Gidda, M. Vergeichik andJ. Mee. Title: Protected Areas for the 21st Century: Lessons from UNDP/GEF's Portfolio Summary: The world’s biodiversity – the species, ecosystems and ecological processes that compose the natural world – are of incalculable value to humanity. The world’s agricultural systems depend upon biodiversity to sustain genetic plant and animal diversity, to provide pollination services, and to maintain irrigation services. The world’s cities depend upon biodiversity to provide clean drinking water to their burgeoning populations. The world’s coastal communities, in which one-half to two-thirds of all of humanity resides, depend upon the natural infrastructure of coral reefs, sea grass beds, and mangroves to buffer them from the impacts of climate change, including sea-level rise and increased storm surges. The world’s inland communities depend upon the natural infrastructure of healthy forests, grasslands and wetlands to buffer them against increased drought, flooding, disease and natural disasters. While biodiversity provides the fundamental goods and services upon which all life depends, including human societies, it is of particular importance to the 2.7 billion people – more than a quarter of the world’s population – who survive on less than $2 a day. As much as 70 percent of the world’s poorest people depend critically upon biodiversity to provide them with life’s most basic necessities, including food, water, shelter, medicine and their livelihoods, and a sixth of the world’s population depends upon the biodiversity within protected areas for their livelihoods. Despite the fundamental importance of biodiversity to human life and social development, the world is facing unprecedented and largely irreversible losses in biodiversity. Current extinction rates are approaching 1,000 times the background rate, and may climb to over 10,000 times the background rate during the next century if present trends in species loss and climate change continue. As many as 70 percent of the world’s known species are at risk of extinction by 2100 if global temperatures rise more than 3.5o Celsius. The loss of biodiversity and the resulting destabilization of ecosystem services undermine the very foundations of human welfare – in short, the social costs of biodiversity loss are enormous and immeasurable. Protected areas are the cornerstone of global biodiversity conservation. Over the past 40 years, governments and non-governmental organizations alike have made unprecedented investments in the establishment of protected areas around the world. As a result, the world’s terrestrial protected areas encompassed more than 18 million sq km in 2010, compared with just over 2 million sq km in 1970. As the first decade of the 21st Century comes to a close, emerging drivers of change are transforming our concept of protected areas – what they are and what they should do. Protected areas are expected to do more – in terms of their ecological, social and economic contributions – than ever before. Not only are they expected to provide habitat for endangered wildlife, but also to contribute to livelihoods for local communities, to generate tourism revenues to bolster local and national economies, and to play a key role in mitigation of and adaptation to climate change, among many other diverse functions and contributions. Purpose and objectives of this publication The following report looks at how changing 21st Century expectations about the roles and functions of protected areas are beginning to shape protected area management around the world and identifies emerging best practices for protected areas under a new paradigm that views protected areas as part of a planetary life support system. The report is based on case studies drawn largely from the portfolio of projects financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The GEF is the world’s most significant multilateral funding source for protected areas. Since the Convention on Biological Diversity’s Programme of Work on Protected Areas was ratified in 2004, UNDP/ GEF has supported work in more than 700 protected areas around the world, covering nearly every goal, target and action under the Programme of Work. Following this introductory section, which presents background on historical and evolving concepts of protected areas and their roles, the report is organized according to eight key themes that are shaping protected areas management in the 21st Century. These themes range from enabling policy environments to management planning, governance, participation, and sustainable finance, to name but a few. For each of the eight themes, the report presents a snapshot of the current status of implementation, a set of emerging best practices, and one or more case studies that illustrate innovative and successful approaches. Details: New York: United Nations Development Programme and Montreal: Convention on Biological Diversity, 2010. 132p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 23, 2013 at: http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/librarypage/environment-energy/ecosystems_and_biodiversity/protected_areas_forthe21stcentury.html Year: 2010 Country: International URL: http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/librarypage/environment-energy/ecosystems_and_biodiversity/protected_areas_forthe21stcentury.html Shelf Number: 128095 Keywords: BiodiversityConservationNatural ResourcesWildlife Management |
Author: Sandbrook, Chris Title: Linking Conservation and Poverty Alleviation: the case of Great Apes An overview of current policy and practice in Africa Summary: The International Institute for Environment and Development IIED has coordinated an international network of conservation, development and indigenous/local community rights organisations who are interested in improving their understanding of, and sharing their experience in, the links between biodiversity conservation and poverty reduction. The Poverty and Conservation Learning Group (PCLG) works by collecting, analysing and disseminating information that can help shape better policy and practice – through its web portal (www.povertyandconservation.info), through workshops and symposia, and through occasional publications. Since 2009 the PCLG has received additional support from the Arcus Foundation to help achieve three goals: 1. To promote ongoing learning and dialogue on poverty-conservation linkages at the international level. 2. To increase attention to mainstreaming poverty concerns within conservation policy and programmes – particularly at the national level – and to build better and stronger linkages with existing initiatives that are focusing on development policy. 3. To introduce a great ape component to PCLG - by including ape-specific elements within our core networking and information dissemination activities and by focusing our mainstreaming efforts on conservation policies, programmes and locations that are relevant to great ape conservation. This report is the third PCLG output supported by the Arcus Foundation grant. The purpose of this report is to document current efforts to link great ape conservation and poverty reduction in the African, ape range states. It is intended to provide a quick inventory of which organisations are working in which countries and using which approaches in order to highlight potential areas of collaboration and/or potential sources of experience and lessons learned. It is also intended to highlight other initiatives that are intended to link environmental management with social concerns - poverty reduction, governance, economic development - with a view to encouraging greater linkages between these initiatives and those that are focussed on conservation. Following this report we are planning the following activities: 1) A learning event for ape conservation organisations to share experiences on their attempts to link conservation and poverty reduction. This would improve their effectiveness and efficiency, where so many conservation organisations still carry out development oriented interventions uninformed by previous experiences elsewhere, both good and bad. 2) South-South learning exchanges / events around key issues where knowledge gaps are the major problem. Examples emerging include (i) experience of other species-based programmes in addressing poverty reduction; (ii) community-based monitoring approaches;, (iiii) human wildlife conflict mitigation strategies and experiences with compensation, and (iv) REDD / carbon mechanisms that accommodate biodiversity conservation and poverty alleviation. 3) Establishment of multi-stakeholder learning groups in selected countries, potentially building on existing groups where there is interest, and using models of good practice. These might include the IIED-supported Forest Governance Learning Groups (FGLG) and Environmental Mainstreaming Learning and Leadership Groups. 4) Facilitating a high-level workshop in at least one country to encourage mainstreaming of biodiversity into development policy / practice – in coordination with the UNDP/UNEP Poverty Environment Initiative. Details: The Poverty and Conservation Learning Group, 21010. 94p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed march 23, 2013 at: http://pubs.iied.org/pdfs/G02770.pdf Year: 1010 Country: Africa URL: http://pubs.iied.org/pdfs/G02770.pdf Shelf Number: 128104 Keywords: BiodiversityGreat ApesNatural ResourcesPovertyWildlife Conservation (Africa) |
Author: Yasmi, Yurdi Title: Forestry Policies, Legislation and Institutions in Asia and the Pacific: Trends and Emerging Needs for 2020 Summary: Continuing high rates of deforestation and forest degradation and the poor contribution of forests and forestry to poverty reduction are undermining efforts to promote sustainable forest management (SFM) in many countries in the Asia-Pacific region. It is often argued that by implementing appropriate policies, legislation and institutional arrangements SFM can be attained and that widespread economic, social and environmental benefits will result. Almost all countries in the region have moved towards SFM at the policy level and in many countries institutional structures are also gradually changing. This report reviews the status and trends in forestry policy and institutions and outlines the extent to which changes in policies, legislation and institutional arrangements aimed at supporting transitions towards SFM have been effective. Trends in governance and the extent to which efforts to tackle illegal logging have been effective are also assessed. Details: Bangkok, Thailand: FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, 2010. 52p. Source: Internet Resource: Asia-Pacific Forestry Sector Outlook Study II, Working Paper Series, Working Paper No. APFSOS II/WP/2010/34: Accessed March 25, 2013 at: http://www.forestrynepal.org/publications/book/4953 Year: 2010 Country: Asia URL: http://www.forestrynepal.org/publications/book/4953 Shelf Number: 128120 Keywords: DeforestationForest Conservation PoliciesIllegal Logging (Asia)Natural Resources |
Author: Thornhill, Daniel J. Title: Ecological Impacts and Practices of the Coral Reef Wildlife Trade Summary: It is estimated that 14–30 million fish, 1.5 million live stony corals, 4 million pounds of coral skeleton, 65–110 thousand pounds of red and black coral, and 9–10 million other invertebrates are removed each year from ecosystems across the world to supply the aquarium, curio/home décor, and coral jewelry industries. This trade has a collective annual value estimated in the hundreds of millions of dollars, and involves over 45 source countries. This report examines the ecological impacts and practices associated with the ornamental trade in coral reef wildlife, including a lack of monitoring and regulation, illegal harvesting practices (including poaching and cyanide fishing), and a sizeable black market for reef-dwelling organisms. Over-collection of coral reef wildlife can potentially cause far-reaching consequences for coral reef ecosystems, disrupting trophic webs and removing creatures that play important roles in the reef. The combined effects of collection could weaken coral reefs, making them less able to respond to the larger threatsthat imperil these ecosystems globally, like climate change and ocean acidification. Details: Washington, DC: Defenders of Wildlife, 2012. 174p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 26, 2013 at: http://www.defenders.org/sites/default/files/publications/ecological-impacts-and-practices-of-the-coral-reef-wildlife-trade.pdf Year: 2012 Country: International URL: http://www.defenders.org/sites/default/files/publications/ecological-impacts-and-practices-of-the-coral-reef-wildlife-trade.pdf Shelf Number: 128134 Keywords: Coral ReefsIllegal Wildlife TradeNatural ResourcesWildlife ConservationWildlife Crimes |
Author: Environmental Investigation Agency Title: Appetite for Destruction: China's Trade in Illegal Timber Summary: In November 2011 China hosted the annual Asia-Pacific Forestry Week meeting conference at an impressive and vast centre near the Olympic Stadium in Beijing. During the week-long event participants from around Asia and beyond discussed a range of issues, encompassing China’s impressive reforestation programme to the links between deforestation and climate change. The meeting coincided with the tenth anniversary of the landmark Bali Declaration agreed at the East Asia ministerial meeting on Forest Law Enforcement and Governance in 2001. This event marked the first time governments from the region, including China, had come together to address the threat posed by widespread illegal logging. Yet meaningful discussions on illegal logging were strangely absent from the Beijing conference. This was probably out of deference to the hosts, as over the past decade China has emerged as the world’s leading trader in illegally logged timber. During the last decade, the major timber consumers of the United States, European Union and Australia have taken action to exclude illicit timber from their markets. Timber producing countries such as Indonesia have improved enforcement against illegal logging. Meanwhile, China has largely stood on the sidelines. The astounding economic growth of China attracts a host of superlatives; its position as the largest importer of stolen wood is one of the more undesirable ones. Since the late 1990s the country has taken strong measures to protect and grow its own forests. At the same time it has built a vast wood processing industry, reliant on imports for most of its raw materials supply. It is in effect exporting deforestation. Although much of the wood processing sector is export-oriented, the vast construction effort in China, coupled with increasing wealth, is creating a surge in domestic demand for timber products. A vivid example is the fashion for reproduction furniture made from rare rosewoods, which has created an upsurge in illegal logging from the Mekong region to Madagascar. The Environmental Investigation Agency has been conducting field investigations into flows of illicit timber since 2004, covering a host of producer countries such as Indonesia, Myanmar, Russia, Laos, Mozambique and Madagascar and, of course, China itself. The findings from these investigations, laid out in this report, show the impact of illegal logging to feed China’s market; destruction of vital forest ecosystems, loss of revenue for developing countries, increased corruption and conflict. This report also includes analysis of trade data showing flows of illicit timber into China worth billions of dollars a year, and highlights imports from countries known to have high rates of illegal logging and instances where national regulations such as log export bands are disregarded. The evidence makes a clear case for action by China. It needs to take measures to exclude illegally logged timber from its market. The fate of many of the world’s natural forests depends on this. Details: London: EIA, 2012. 32p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 28, 2013 at: http://www.eia-international.org/wp-content/uploads/EIA-Appetite-for-Destruction-lo-res.pdf Year: 2012 Country: China URL: http://www.eia-international.org/wp-content/uploads/EIA-Appetite-for-Destruction-lo-res.pdf Shelf Number: 128157 Keywords: DeforestationForest ManagementIllegal Logging (China)Illegal TradeNatural Resources |
Author: Environmental Investigation Agency Title: First Class Connection: Log Smuggling, Illegal Logging, and Corruption in Mozambique Summary: Detailing the findings of EIA undercover investigations in Mozambique, and outlining timber trade data discrepancies, this briefing provides compelling evidence of how China’s insatiable demand for timber is directly driving increased illegal logging and timber smuggling in Mozambique, and robbing the impoverished country of significant revenues. Trade data discrepancies indicate that in 2012 Chinese companies imported between 189,615 and 215,654 cubic metres of timber illegally exported from Mozambique - constituting up to 48 per cent of China’s imports from the country. Further, EIA research shows that China’s 2012 imports from Mozambique dwarf not only licensed exports, but also exceed the licensed harvest by 154,030 cubic metres– generating an alarming 48 per cent illegal logging rate in the country. Such crimes are costing Mozambique tens of millions of dollars a year in lost tax revenues – funds desperately needed in what is the world’s fourth least developed nation. Expanding on a November 2012 EIA report on China’s illegal timber imports, this briefing provides detailed investigative case studies into some of the biggest companies engineering these crimes in Mozambique today, exposing the smuggling techniques and the political patronage and corruption that facilitate it. Finally, the briefing makes clear recommendations to the Mozambican Government on how to eliminate such illegal logging and trade and protect its forests from illegal timber traders. Details: London: EIA, 2013. 16p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 28, 2013 at: http://www.eia-global.org/PDF/EIAFirstClassConnectionslores.pdf Year: 2013 Country: Mozambique URL: http://www.eia-global.org/PDF/EIAFirstClassConnectionslores.pdf Shelf Number: 128158 Keywords: Forest ManagementIllegal Logging (Mozambique)Illegal Timber TradeNatural ResourcesTimber Smuggling |
Author: Environmental Investigation Agency Title: The Inside Story: Environmental criminals’ perceptions of crime, corruption and CITES Summary: The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) and partners conduct on the ground investigations engaging environmental crime offenders. Investigations document illegal trade, what facilitates it and the emerging trends, which is then presented to international decision-makers. Over the years, EIA’s direct engagement with active environmental offenders has yielded rich insights into their attitudes and perceptions: about what helps them do business and what deters them; the market trends and how these compare to previous years; how they perceive the criminal justice system; what they anticipate for their future business, and for the future of the species which they trade. In source, transit and destination countries, individuals operating at different stages of the illegal trade chain describe similar dynamics: corruption (bribes and payoffs), weakly enforced legislation, the ability to exploit parallel legal markets and loopholes, even how domestic policies stimulate demand for protected species. As valuable as they are, offenders’ perceptions are not currently being taken into account by all the stakeholders in environmental crime. This is compounding a situation where environmental crime is not being fully or effectively addressed. Knowing how and what environmental criminals are thinking should not be the sole domain of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), undercover journalists, individual law enforcement officers or the communities living in areas where crime happens. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), with a membership of 178 Parties, seeks to regulate trade so it does not threaten species, but it does not exist in a vacuum. EIA’s investigations have found environmental criminals are not ignorant about CITES, or about domestic legislation. A species’ protected status or scarcity can mean that criminals ‘bank on extinction’, exploiting higher demand or higher financial ‘value’. Details: London: EIA, 2013. 28p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 28, 2013 at: http://www.eia-international.org/wp-content/uploads/The-Inside-Story-lo-res.pdf Year: 2013 Country: International URL: http://www.eia-international.org/wp-content/uploads/The-Inside-Story-lo-res.pdf Shelf Number: 128161 Keywords: Endangered SpeciesEnvironmental CrimesIllegal TradeNatural ResourcesOffenses Against the Environment |
Author: Robbins, Christopher S., ed. Title: Prickly Trade: Trade and Conservation of Chihuahuan Desert Cacti Summary: World Wildlife Fund (WWF) considers the Chihuahuan Desert Ecoregion (CDE) of Mexico and the United States an important ecoregion for conservation because of its outstanding biological diversity, ecological fragility, and environmental concerns. The ecoregion, rich in natural resources, faces a range of visible threats stemming from human activities such as mining, fossil fuel exploration, livestock grazing, industrial agriculture, and development. A less publicized, but significant, threat in the U.S. portion of the ecoregion is the commercial extraction of wild native succulents, including cacti, for landscaping in private gardens hundreds of miles away. In the Mexican Chihuahuan Desert, some of the world’s rarest cacti are harvested and exported, often illegally, by opportunistic foreign collectors, or sold to unaware tourists by impoverished villagers supplementing paltry incomes. WWF approached TRAFFIC North America, the wildlife trade monitoring unit of WWF and the World Conservation Union (IUCN), to investigate the implications of harvest and trade on the conservation of affected cactus taxa and localities in the Chihuahuan Desert. TRAFFIC divided this study into two parts to reflect the political boundaries of the CDE in the United States (Part I) and Mexico (Part II). TRAFFIC recognizes, however, that the geographic delineation of the CDE is defined by ecological and biological characteristics shared by both countries, and so it should be treated as one biogeographic region. TRAFFIC’s decision to assess the trade and management of CDE cacti in Mexico separately from the trade and management of CDE cacti in the United States was determined by practicality and methodology. The disparate issues associated with cactus trade, taxonomy, and management in Mexico and in the United States required two different investigators with knowledge specific to each country. Each investigator contributed a report to this publication and, to the extent possible, the reports have been harmonized to minimize stylistic differences. Commercial trade drives the harvesting of CDE cactus species in Mexico and the United States, but the nature and scale of this trade differ in both countries. Mexico harbors the greatest diversity of endemic, endangered, and newly discovered cactus species. Those species are highly sought after by foreign collectors and continue to appear in the international marketplace in spite of Mexico’s laws prohibiting illegal collection. The number of specimens entering trade illegally is believed to be small but may be significant enough to destabilize wild populations of some species. This practice also undermines the competitive advantage of Mexican growers to propagate and sell endemic cacti in the marketplace. In the United States, the cactus trade involves fewer cactus species but considerably more plant material. The primary markets are southwestern U.S. cities with an arid climate where consumers are trying to conserve water by resorting to desert landscaping with plants like cacti instead of water-intensive gardens. Contrary to their best intentions, gardeners and homeowners are addressing one conservation issue at the expense of another. Details: Washington, DC: TRAFFIC North America, World Wildlife Fund, 2003. 137p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 6, 2013 at: http://www.traffic.org/plants Year: 2003 Country: United States URL: http://www.traffic.org/plants Shelf Number: 114743 Keywords: CactiIllegal Wildlife TradeNatural Resource ConservationNatural ResourcesWildlife Crimes (U.S., Mexico) |
Author: Campbell, Ken Title: Sustainable Use of Wildland Resources: Ecological, Economic and Social Interactions. An Analysis of Illegal Hunting of Wildlife in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania Summary: A common problem for protected area managers is illegal or unsustainable extraction of natural resources. Similarly, lack of access to an often decreasing resource base may also be a problem fo rural communities living adjacent to protected areas. In Tanzania, illegal hunting of both resident and migratory wildlife is a significant problem for the management of Serengeti National Park. Poaching has already reduced populations of resident wildlife, whilst over-harvesting of the migratory herbivores may ultimately threaten the integrity of the Serengeti ecosystem. Reduced wildlife populations may in turn undermine local livelihoods that depend partly on this resource. This project examined illegal hunting from the twin perspectives of conservation and the livelihoods of people surrounding the protected area. The research aimed to improve understanding of factors related to or responsible for the promotion of game meat hunting as a viable livelihood activity. Details: Chatham, UK: Natural Resources Institute, 2001. 56p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 22, 2013 at: http://r4d.dfid.gov.uk/PDF/Outputs/R7050d.pdf Year: 2001 Country: Tanzania URL: http://r4d.dfid.gov.uk/PDF/Outputs/R7050d.pdf Shelf Number: 128434 Keywords: Animal PoachingIllegal HuntingNatural ResourcesWildlife Crime (Tanzania)Wildlife Management |
Author: Accra Caucus on Forests and Climate Change Title: Realising Rights, Protecting Forests: An Alternative Vision for Reducing Deforestation Summary: The Accra Caucus on Forests and Climate Change is a network of southern and northern NGOs representing around 100 civil society and Indigenous Peoples' organizations from 38 countries, formed at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) meeting in Accra, Ghana in 2008. The Caucus works to place the rights of indigenous and forest communities at the centre of negotiations on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD), and to ensure that efforts to reduce deforestation promote good governance and are not a substitute for emission reductions in industrialised countries. In this report the Caucus proposes an alternative vision for achieving the objective of reducing deforestation, arguing for policies and actions that would tackle the drivers of deforestation, rather than focusing exclusively on carbon. Drawing on case studies from organisations with experience of working with forest communities, the report highlights problems linked to the implementation of REDD and suggests ways in which policies to reduce deforestation can actually work on the ground. Through case studies from selected countries the report highlights three critical components: full and effective participation (Indonesia, Ecuador, Democratic Republic of Congo); secured and equitable land rights (Brazil, Cameroon, Papua New Guinea) and community-based forest management (Tanzania, Nepal). Details: London: Rainforest Foundation UK, 2010. 40p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 25, 2013 at: http://www.rainforestfoundationuk.org/Accra_Report_ENG Year: 2010 Country: International URL: http://www.rainforestfoundationuk.org/Accra_Report_ENG Shelf Number: 128501 Keywords: ConservationDeforestationForest ManagementIllegal LoggingNatural Resources |
Author: Erdenechuluun, T. Title: Wood Supply in Mongolia: The Legal and Illegal Economies Summary: The forests of Mongolia protect watersheds and water supply, and as a source of timber, fuel wood, pine nuts, berries and game they are saviors and sustainers of livelihoods. Mongolia's forestry sector is currently in crisis, with illegal logging devastating accessible forests, particularly around urban centers. Lack of reliable data means that estimates of timber consumption vary widely, but levels are clearly well above the sustainable harvest for Mongolia's slow growing forests. Lack of planning and active management, lack of inventory, loss of capacity, and corruption have together led to significant degradation of forest quality, and have created virtual anarchy in the forestry industry. The publication reviews the current situation, examines action to date and makes a series of recommendations for bringing control to, and prosperity from, Mongolia's forestry sector. This report represents a novel and unconventional approach to the very serious subject of illegal wood supply in Mongolia. Rather than just relying on official statistics, which have many drawbacks, the team sought information from a range of sources, such as direct interviews with government officials and others working in the sector; field observation of illegal activities, often in the dead of night; and indirect approaches using various data sources to test assumptions. Details: Washington, DC: The World Bank, 2006. 88p. Source: Internet Resource:Discussion Papers, East Asia and Pacific Environment and Social Development Department; Accessed May 22, 2013 at: http://siteresources.worldbank.org/MONGOLIAEXTN/Resources/mong_timber_int_for_web.pdf Year: 2006 Country: Mongolia URL: http://siteresources.worldbank.org/MONGOLIAEXTN/Resources/mong_timber_int_for_web.pdf Shelf Number: 128781 Keywords: ConservationForest ManagementForestsIllegal Logging (Mongolia)Natural ResourcesTimber |
Author: Stiles, Margot L. Title: Stolen Seafood: The Impact of Pirate Fishing on Our Oceans Summary: Pirate fishing may be understood best by standing on the beach and gazing out to sea. Almost all crime at sea takes place beyond the horizon line, hidden from view. This vast wilderness is exploited not only for fish, but as a hiding place for criminal activities. Stolen fish are caught illegally, evading a wide range of safeguards to undercut the costs of doing business. Blatant violation of catch limits, gear restrictions and safety precautions are frequently carried out by a small fraction of fishermen, undermining the efforts of responsible fishing companies. The resulting damage to marine resources can lead to smaller catches, slowed recovery of depleted stocks or even collapse for the most vulnerable fisheries. Pirate, or illegal, fishing is often lumped together with unregulated and unreported fishing under the abbreviation “IUU.” Unregulated fishing takes place in nations that lack the resources to establish fisheries laws or monitoring. Some unreported fishing stems from a lack of scientific data collection, while other unreported catches conceal illegal activity. These three dimensions of illegal fishing are a major threat to the oceans, consumers and seafood businesses around the world. Details: Washington, DC: Oceana, 2013. 28p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 25, 2013 at: http://oceana.org/sites/default/files/reports/Oceana_StolenSeafood.pdf Year: 2013 Country: International URL: http://oceana.org/sites/default/files/reports/Oceana_StolenSeafood.pdf Shelf Number: 128825 Keywords: Fishing IndustryIllegal FishingMaritime CrimeNatural ResourcesPirate FishingWildlife Crimes |
Author: Smith, Ardea Title: The Seductive Orchid: A look into the Justifications and Motivations Behind the Illicit Flora Economy Summary: In a world that is focused on conserving what is deemed ‘sexy’ no creature better fits this description than the exotic and colorful orchid. The history of this often delicately depicted flora is a sordid tale that spans the globe, from the murky swamps of the Fakahatchee State Preserve in Florida to the Amazonian tropics of Brazil and Borneo where deadly tropical diseases and harsh wilderness threaten orchid hunters at every turn. Set against the backdrop of such foreboding environments, the orchid stands out as a sophisticated version of the wild area in which it lives, its vibrant colors and twisted leaves tempered by its smooth petals and soft curves. “Orchids are subtle, delicate, voluptuous and masters of disguise. They take on the shapes, scents and colours that seduce the insects they feed upon. But they are best of all at seducing humans” (You can get off alcohol and drugs, but you can never get off orchids. Never 2006). How have orchids become so closely associated with such avid exotic sexual appeal? One of the primary interests in writing this paper was to understand how seduction became so closely associated with orchids and how this definitional framework for understanding orchids in the Western world influences or drives the illicit orchid market. The metaphors and descriptors governing the orchid market connect directly to the current motivations and justifications used by orchid smugglers and orchid consumers to continue their hunt for wild flora. An investigation into the behavioral component of the illicit orchid trade presents some clues to the obstacles facing the crackdown on orchid smuggling but also prompts a larger question; should we as citizens care and work to change the behavior of orchid smugglers? Biodiversity and sustainability of our collective ecosystem are two powerful motivators to stop the harvesting of wild orchids. However, in assessing the overall damage of the wild orchid industry to the environment a study of this illicit economy runs into the problem of the “politics of numbers” (Dillman 2012) that encompasses issues of rarity and taxonomy. With a sometimes-cloudy view of the dangers of continued orchid trafficking, it is difficult to always formulate and justify a need to curb orchid smuggling activities. The solutions offered in this paper encapsulate the difficulties of dealing with an illicit economy and in particular, the seductive orchid. Details: Tacoma, WA: University of Puget Sound, 2011(?). 21p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 25, 2013 at: http://www.pugetsound.edu/files/resources/11228_Smith.pdf Year: 2011 Country: International URL: http://www.pugetsound.edu/files/resources/11228_Smith.pdf Shelf Number: 128830 Keywords: ConservationIllicit Orchid TradeNatural ResourcesOrchidsTheft of Plants |
Author: Turner, James Title: Implications for the New Zealand Wood Products Sector of Trade Distortions due to Illegal Logging A report prepared for the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Summary: This study determined, for New Zealand, the production, trade and price effects of international trade distortions due to illegal logging. The study considered the effect of illegal logging on both the price and competitiveness of New Zealand wood products in domestic and foreign markets. Two complementary economic models, the Global Forest Products Model (GFPM) and Radiata Pine Market Model (RPMM) were used to view the New Zealand forest sector in its full international context. While the GFPM provides a global perspective, the RPMM provides a richer description of the New Zealand radiata pine forestry and sawmilling sectors. countries in the policies and institutions that govern forest utilisation, and hence the rules that apply in determining whether logs are legally sourced. Differences between government and NGO approaches to assessment explain much of the variation found in estimates of illegal logging. NGO assessments include issues such as logging concession award processes, whether forests are managed “sustainably”, and whether taxes and fees have been levied at a fair or market rate. Governmental organisations, on the other hand, focus on the extent that wood can be traced to an officially sanctioned logging operation. The most comprehensive, and widely quoted, review of illegal logging and trade is Seneca Creek (2004)1, which derived estimates that generally fell between the extremes of the NGO and governmental sources. Recognising the limitations of each source, this present study relied on the range of assessments to derive “low”, “most likely”, and “high” estimates (Table 1). Due to the scope of the review and its widespread recognition Seneca Creek (2004) was influential in our derivation of the “most likely” scenario. Potential for the recently announced increase in the Russian softwood log export tax to have significant repercussions for the global forest sector meant that an additional set of projections included the tax. Details: Wellington, NZ: New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, 2007. 192p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 30, 2013 at: http://maxa.maf.govt.nz/forestry/illegal-logging/trade-distortion-implications/Final_Report.pdf Year: 2007 Country: International URL: http://maxa.maf.govt.nz/forestry/illegal-logging/trade-distortion-implications/Final_Report.pdf Shelf Number: 128850 Keywords: Economics of CrimeIllegal LoggingNatural ResourcesOffenses Against the Environment |
Author: Pink, Grant Title: Law Enforcement Responses to Transnational Environmental Crime: Choices, challenges, and culture Summary: This paper considers the issue of law enforcement responses to transnational environmental crime with a particular focus on the role of environmental regulatory agencies. More specifically, it identifies and analyses the various operational and policy factors which inform and shape responses to transnational environmental crime. The aim of this paper is to furnish environmental regulatory agencies with information, options, and strategies so they can more effectively detect, deter, and disrupt this form of transnational crime. The paper outlines the different roles and functions of police agencies, customs and port authorities, and environmental regulatory agencies in terms of their efforts in the fight against transnational environmental crime. It also compares the use of administrative, civil, and criminal law enforcement responses by these response agencies. Details: Canberra: Transnational Environmental Crime Project, Department of International Relations, School of International, Political & Strategic Studies, ANU College of Asia and the Pacific and Australian National University, 2013. 34p. Source: Internet Resource: Working Paper 4/2013: Accessed July 23, 2013 at: http://ips.cap.anu.edu.au/sites/default/files/IPS/IR/TEC/TEC%20Working%20Paper%204_2013_1_Grant_Pink_Law_Enforcement_Responses.pdf Year: 2013 Country: International URL: http://ips.cap.anu.edu.au/sites/default/files/IPS/IR/TEC/TEC%20Working%20Paper%204_2013_1_Grant_Pink_Law_Enforcement_Responses.pdf Shelf Number: 129496 Keywords: Crimes Against the EnvironmentLaw EnforcementNatural ResourcesOffenses Against the EnvironmentWildlife ConservationWildlife Crimes |
Author: Wyler, Liana Sun Title: International Illegal Trade in Wildlife: Threats and U.S. Policy Summary: Global trade in illegal wildlife is a potentially vast illicit economy, estimated to be worth billions of dollars each year. Some of the most lucrative illicit wildlife commodities include elephant ivory, rhino horn, sturgeon caviar, and so-called “bushmeat.” Wildlife smuggling may pose a transnational security threat as well as an environmental one. Numerous sources indicate that some organized criminal syndicates, insurgent groups, and foreign military units may be involved in various aspects of international wildlife trafficking. Limited anecdotal evidence also indicates that some terrorist groups may be engaged in wildlife crimes, particularly poaching, for monetary gain. Some observers claim that the participation of such actors in wildlife trafficking can therefore threaten the stability of countries, foster corruption, and encourage violence to protect the trade. Reports of escalating exploitation of protected wildlife, coupled with the emerging prominence of highly organized and well-equipped illicit actors in wildlife trafficking, suggests that policy challenges persist. Commonly cited challenges include legal loopholes that allow poachers and traffickers to operate with impunity, gaps in foreign government capabilities to address smuggling problems, and persistent structural drivers such as lack of alternative livelihoods in source countries and consumer demand. To address the illicit trade in endangered wildlife, the international community has established, through the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), a global policy framework to regulate and sometimes ban exports of selected species. Domestic, bilateral, regional, and global efforts are intended to support international goals of sustainable conservation, effective resource management, and enforcement of relevant laws and regulations. Increased recognition of the potential consequences of wildlife trafficking has caused some observers and policymakers to question the efficacy of existing U.S. and international responses and consider new options for addressing the problem. In November 2012, for example, then- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced the beginning of a revitalized effort to combat international wildlife trafficking. In July 2013, President Barack Obama issued Executive Order 13648 on Combating Wildlife Trafficking. The Executive Order identified poaching of protected species and the illegal trade in wildlife and their derivative parts and products as an escalating international crisis that is in the national interest of the United States to combat. The U.S. Congress has played a role in responding to these ongoing challenges and evaluating U.S. policy to combat international wildlife trafficking. Over time, Congress has enacted a wide range of laws to authorize conservation programs, appropriate domestic and international funding for wildlife protection and natural resource capacity building, and target and dismantle wildlife trafficking operations. In recent years, Congress has also held hearings and events that have addressed the growing problem of wildlife crimes and raised key questions for next steps. Interest in wildlife crime may continue in the 113th Congress. Congressional activity may include evaluating the seriousness of the threat as a national security issue, as well as raising questions regarding the effectiveness of existing policies, ranging from biodiversity programs to anti-crime activities. Details: Washington, DC: Congressional Research Service, 2013. 26p. Source: Internet Resource: RL34395: Accessed August 6, 2013 at: http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RL34395.pdf Year: 2013 Country: International URL: http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RL34395.pdf Shelf Number: 129557 Keywords: Illegal TradeNatural ResourcesWildlife Crime (U.S.)Wildlife SmugglingWildlife Trafficking |
Author: Kachin Women's Association Thailand Title: Eastward Bound: An Update on Migration & Trafficking of Kachin Women on the China - Burma Border Summary: The main causes of migration for Kachin areas of Burma have intensified over the past few years. The Burmese military regime has continued to authorize and profit from large-scale extraction of our natural resources, mainly timber, jade and gold. On top of this, they are now planning to dam out rivers, for sale of electricity to China. Seven large dames on the Irrawaddy and its source rivers in Kachin State ill displace tens of thousands of people, and lead to further migration. Details: Chiang Mai, Thailand; Kachin Women's Association Thailand, 2008. 28p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 19, 2013 at: http://www.kachinwomen.com/images/stories/publication/eastwardbound.pdf Year: 2008 Country: Thailand URL: http://www.kachinwomen.com/images/stories/publication/eastwardbound.pdf Shelf Number: 129659 Keywords: Human Trafficking (Thailand)MigrationNatural Resources |
Author: Archbold, Carol A. Title: "Policing the Patch": An Examination of the Impact of the Oil Boom on Small Town Policing and Crime in Western North Dakota Summary: The "oil boom" that has taken place in western North Dakota over the past several years has positioned the state to have a budget reserve of more than $2 billion by the end of 2013 (Prah, 2012). Increased oil production has created thousands of jobs, which has contributed to North Dakota having one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2013). It has been projected that the oil and natural gas industry in North Dakota will produce another 13,144 jobs by 2015 and an additional 15,840 jobs by 2020 (Energy Works North Dakota, 2012). While increased oil production has provided economic stability to the state, it has also created some challenges for western North Dakota. Steady oil production has resulted in rapid population growth for many communities located in the Bakken region. Williams County (ranked second) and Stark County (ranked fifth) in western North Dakota are included on the list of the ten fastest growing counties in the United States from 2011-2012 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2013). The rapid population growth has created problems with housing, schools, and roads in communities across the region (Governing the States and Localities, 2011). Various media outlets have also reported that police agencies in western North Dakota are struggling to keep rampant crime problems under control (CBS Minnesota, 2012; Ellis, 2011; Elgon, 2012). The problem with the information presented in media reports is that it consists of anecdotal information, not empirical research. The study presented in this report examines how the rapid population growth resulting from the oil boom in western North Dakota has affected policing and crime in the Bakken region. This study is important because it provides an empirical foundation for future research on rapid population growth, policing, and crime in western North Dakota. Details: Fargo, ND: Department of Criminal Justice and Political Science, North Dakota State University, 2013. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 3, 2014 at: www.ndsu.edu Year: 2013 Country: United States URL: www.ndsu.edu Shelf Number: 132225 Keywords: BoomtownsNatural Resources Policing Rural AreasRural Crime |
Author: Blattman, Christopher Title: Can Employment Reduce Lawlessness and Rebellion? A Field Experiment with High-Risk Youth in a Fragile State Summary: We evaluate an agricultural training and inputs program for high-risk Liberian men, mainly ex-fighters engaged in illegal resource extraction with opportunities for mercenary work. We show that economic incentives, including increased farm productivity, raised the opportunity cost of illicit work. After 14 months, treated men shifted hours of illicit resource extraction to agriculture by 20%. When a war erupted nearby, they were also less likely to engage in mercenary recruitment. Finally, exogenous variation in expected future capital transfers appears to be a further deterrent to mercenary work. We see no evidence the program affected occupational choice through peers or preferences. Details: New York: Columbia University, School of International and Public Affairs, 2014. 69p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 10, 2014 at: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2431293 Year: 2014 Country: Liberia URL: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2431293 Shelf Number: 132317 Keywords: At-Risk YouthEmployment and CrimeNatural Resources |
Author: O'Brien, Liz Title: Accessibility of Woodlands and Natural Spaces: Addressing Crime and Safety Issues Summary: If wild lands are defined as areas in which human influence is negligible and cities as areas entirely constructed and managed by humans, then these two form environmental extremes between which exist a multiplicity of open living spaces. These vary to a large extent by the degree of management and residence imposed by humankind. Perhaps in Britain few, if any, places can be considered truly wild, though there remain some places remote enough from major human influence to be considered close to wilderness. British environments are, almost invariably, managed ones. Rural areas are managed for aesthetic appeal, conservation, leisure, forest or agriculture while in urban areas management is geared more towards large-scale residency, leisure, commerce or industry. All have their place and purpose. Human population density increases between these rural and urban extremes. Alongside that, undesirable issues, such as crime, nuisance and litigious behaviour (for which the common denominator is people), also increases. These undesirable issues have generally occurred and perhaps still do, in greater frequency where population densities are highest. However, the increased availability of mechanised transport has greatly increased people's ability to travel, individually and in groups, such as to extend their powers of criminality and nuisance over everincreasing areas. It is this concern with crime and nuisance which brings issues of access to woodlands and natural spaces to the forefront of the thinking of a wider audience of responsible landowners in both the public and private sectors. The varied list of delegates to this seminar gives some indication of organisations for which these matters have relevance. There are moral and legal issues at stake, but no one can discount the economic issues, which increasingly burden all relevant organisations or individuals. At the same time, there is increasing recognition that deprivation of human populations from natural environments can have detrimental psychological, perhaps even physiological effects, depressing spirits and leading to increasingly manic, criminally dishonest and violent behaviour. Current research suggests that open spaces in urban areas need to retain some element of the natural to help offset such effects. These are the issues which have drawn together the varied organisations towards partnerships, hopefully made manifest and stimulated by this Accessibility seminar. Details: Farnham, UK: Forest Research, 2005. 50p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 19, 2014 at: http://www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/fr0305_woodaccess.pdf/$FILE/fr0305_woodaccess.pdf Year: 2005 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/fr0305_woodaccess.pdf/$FILE/fr0305_woodaccess.pdf Shelf Number: 132509 Keywords: Crime Prevention through Environment DesignForestsNatural ResourcesRural AreasRural Crime |
Author: Nellemann, Christian, ed. Title: The Environmental Crime Crisis: Threats to Sustainable Development from Illegal Exploitation and Trade in Wildlife and Forest Resources Summary: Given the alarming pace, level of sophistication, and globalized nature that illegal trade in wildlife has now notoriously achieved, UNEP initiated a Rapid Response Assessment to provide some of the latest data, analysis, and broadest insights into the phenomenon. Tackling illegal wildlife trade demands this examination of the relationship between the environmental resources at stake, their legal and illegal exploitation, the loopholes that exacerbate the situation, the scale and types of crimes committed, and the dynamics of the demand driving the trade. In the international community, there is now growing recognition that the issue of the illegal wildlife trade has reached significant global proportions. Illegal wildlife trade and environmental crime involve a wide range of flora and fauna across all continents, estimated to be worth USD 70-213 billion annually. This compares to a global official development assistance envelope of about 135 billion USD per annum. The illegal trade in natural resources is depriving developing economies of billions of dollars in lost revenues and lost development opportunities, while benefiting a relatively small criminal fraternity. This report focuses on the far-reaching consequences of the environmental crime phenomenon we face today. The situation has worsened to the extent that illegal trade in wildlife's impacts are now acknowledged to go well beyond strictly environmental impacts - by seriously undermining economies and livelihoods, good governance, and the rule of law Even the security and safety of countries and communities is affected: the report highlights how wildlife and forest crime, including charcoal, provides potentially significant threat finance to militias and terrorist groups. Already recognized as a grave issue in DRC and Somalia by the UN Security Council, the assessment reveals that the scale and role of wildlife and forest crime in threat finance calls for much wider policy attention, well beyond those regions. Details: Arendal, NO; Nairobi: GRID-Arendal, 2014. 106p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 30, 2014 at: http://www.grida.no/publications/rr/crime/ Year: 2014 Country: International URL: http://www.grida.no/publications/rr/crime/ Shelf Number: 132569 Keywords: Environmental CrimeForestsIllegal LoggingIllegal TradeNatural ResourcesOrganized CrimeWildlife Crime |
Author: World Bank Title: Enforcing Environmental Laws for Strong Economies and Safe Communities Summary: This roadmap for environmental and natural resources law enforcement (ENRLE) sets forth a course of action for the World Bank's ENRLE Community of Practice for FY2013-15. It outlines for senior management a strategy to mobilize and strengthen the Bank's engagement in the fight against environmental and natural resource crime, an issue that has significant detrimental effects on the economic, social, political, and environmental stability of our client countries. The roadmap also serves as a mobilizing tool for staff and management in regional departments to demonstrate the importance of ENRLE and to outline the menu of solutions that the Community of Practice (COP) can offer to strengthen our clients' fight against environmental and natural resource crime. Recent spikes in poaching, in illegal logging, and in illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing have amplified the already urgent need for action. These crimes increase poverty, shrink prosperity, and magnify social and political tensions that undermine healthy communities and strong economies. Investment returns in wise environmental and natural resource law enforcement can be high. Criminal activities that affect the environment and natural resources are on the increase and pose an increasingly serious threat to development. Data and analyses reviewed by the World Bank's Community of Practice on ENRLE begin to show the magnitude of illegal logging, poaching of wildlife, trade in endangered species, wildland arson, criminal toxic releases, and other environment and natural resource-related crimes. They also show the diversity of the criminal threat, ranging from small-scale, artisanal crime that arises from poverty and inequities to growing problems of organized transnational criminal networks and enterprises using corruption, money laundering, technology, and other sophisticated methods to exploit persistent weaknesses in resource management and law enforcement. All World Bank client countries suffer from these crimes and are underserved by existing international law enforcement institutions and available mechanisms for support, capacity building, and operational cooperation. Vulnerability to environment crimes is often deepened by overarching problems of governance, corruption, and weaknesses in accountability at the national level. Environmental and natural resource crime is common, but in many countries it is rarely prosecuted. The very elements that make these crimes possible-that natural capital is undervalued, seldom properly guarded, and often has unclear or contested ownership-also compromise prosecution. This Roadmap FY2013-15 builds on recently scaled-up support for ENRLE that includes project commitments on the order of $50-60 million per year. Along with investments, the Bank supports advisory and analytic work and leadership in regional and international processes and dialogue. While the Bank is not a law enforcement agency, its established programs to support natural resource and environmental management and to safeguard global public goods, its commitment to strengthening good governance and to fighting corruption, and its partnerships with key law enforcement agencies such as Interpol and Europol give it an opportunity and responsibility to do more. This report discusses how the World Bank Group (WBG) will mobilize to work better on ENRLE. Recognizing the evolving global context, a new and fully mobilized Community of Practice will put more emphasis on building a constituency within the WBG to work on the range of ENRLE issues, on building the capacity of WBG staff to provide investment and technical assistance on ENRLE, on strengthening analytical work to develop a pipeline of ENRLE investments, and on fostering demand among clients for Bank investment in ENRLE. Details: Washington, DC: World Bank, 2014. 26p. Source: Internet Resource: Agriculture and environmental services discussion paper ; no. 5: Accessed July 25, 2014 at: http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/WDSContentServer/WDSP/IB/2014/02/20/000442464_20140220144545/Rendered/PDF/843960REVISED0000Enforcing0Env0Laws.pdf Year: 2014 Country: International URL: http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/WDSContentServer/WDSP/IB/2014/02/20/000442464_20140220144545/Rendered/PDF/843960REVISED0000Enforcing0Env0Laws.pdf Shelf Number: 132778 Keywords: Crimes Against the EnvironmentCriminal NetworksNatural ResourcesOrganized CrimeWildlife ConservationWildlife CrimesWildlife Management |
Author: Greenpeace Title: Logging: The Amazon's Silent Crisis Summary: A two year Greenpeace investigation has confirmed that logging in the Amazon is still out of control and often taking a predatory form. Governance in the timber sector in the Brazilian Amazon is weak and open to exploitation, allowing criminals launder illegal timber as legal with official documentation. It is estimated that in Para State the largest producer and exporter of timber in Brazil, 78% of logging occurring there is illegal. Greenpeace investigated specific cases of the sector's systemic crime and found links between cases of fraud and the global marketplace. The United States is the largest importer of Brazilian timber and companies like Lumber Liquidators, the country's largest national hardwood flooring retailer, has purchased wood from exporters that have bought wood from saw mills that have processed laundered timber. This investigation below discusses the Brazilian timber sector today and explains how the system is designed to fail and easily defrauded. Then the investigation illustrates on five emblematic case studies of timber laundering on a massive scale that until recently have flown under the radar. The investigation then follows the timber from the forest to the saw mill to the exporter to the USA, European Union, and Israel where valuable Amazon timber varieties like Ipe are utilized for walkways, piers, hardwood flooring, decking, and siding. Details: Amsterdam: Greenpeace, 2014. v.p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 15, 2014 at: http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/en/campaigns/forests/Our-current-projects/amazon-rainforest/Logging-The-Amazons-Silent-Crisis-/ Year: 2014 Country: Brazil URL: Shelf Number: 133317 Keywords: Illegal Logging (Brazil)Illegal TimberNatural Resources |
Author: Burgess, Elizabeth A. Title: Assessing The Trade In Pig-Nosed Turtles Carettochelys insculpta in Papua, Indonesia Summary: The Pig-nosed Turtle Carettochelys insculpta, also known as the Fly River or Pitted-Shell Turtle, is a taxonomically distinct, large freshwater chelonian restricted to the river systems of northern Australia and southern New Guinea (divided politically between Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Papua Province, Indonesia). The high international demand for Pignosed Turtles in the exotic pet trade, food market and traditional medicine practices has driven the intensified exploitation of this species in Papua. Despite being afforded legal protection in Indonesia and being listed in Appendix II of CITES, the Pig-nosed Turtle is increasingly being targeted in the province of Papua, Indonesia for international wildlife trade. This study highlights an urgent need for the existing laws and regulations concerning Pig-nosed Turtle trade to be rigorously enforced to curtail the illegal harvest and trade. Surveys on the trade of Pig-nosed Turtles throughout the Indonesian province of Papua were carried out in November and December 2010 to coincide with the Pig-nosed Turtle nesting season (September to February). Pig-nosed Turtles were primarily collected by Papuan villagers who source eggs of this species by excavating nests on the banks of rivers and swamps. Predominant collection areas lie in the Asmat region of Papua, although more expansive collection areas also exist further east and north of Merauke near the PNG border. Village collectors sell the wild harvested Pig-nosed Turtle eggs directly to traders operating in villages (typically non-Papuan immigrant traders settled in the region). There was also a growing trend towards incubating the collected eggs in ex-situ hatcheries located within Papuan villages, which was favourable among local collectors and traders because live hatchling turtles can command a higher price than eggs. Pignosed Turtles from Papua are traded as live pets, for meat consumption as well as for medicinal purposes. One respondent reported a company in Jayapura that purchases hatchling Pig-nosed Turtles for drying and then grinding into a powder for export to China, and resale in the traditional medicine trade. Local Papuans realize that the natural resources around them have a high value to outsiders, and what previously was opportunistic hunting for daily needs has become a large-scale exploitation of Pig-nosed Turtles. Turtle traders have also significantly influenced remote communities in Papua by bringing in and bartering with modern commodities (such as outboard boat motors) and provisions (such as useful equipment, supplies, fuel and foodstuffs). This survey found that local people were actively encouraged by immigrant traders to harvest and independently incubate eggs for trade, and that immigrant traders often organized and co-ordinated egg-collecting trips further upriver using motorboats. Improved transportation (e.g., motorboats and access to fuel) in the region have increased the accessibility of more remote river systems, and thereby expanded the harvest potential of Pig-nosed Turtles in Papua. Turtle buyers offering trade in rural communities, combined with a recent shift to a cash economy (cf. subsistence economy), has created strong incentives for local Papuans to trade in Pig-nosed Turtle eggs and hatchlings. Eggs and hatchlings of Pig-nosed Turtles are smuggled from remote source villages (via boat or small aircraft) to centralized trade hubs within Papua, including the towns of Agats, Merauke, Timika and Jayapura. From Papua, turtles were typically smuggled westward into major domestic trade destinations in Indonesia, including Jakarta, Surabaya and Probolinggo in Java, Makassar (Ujung Pandang) in south Sulawesi, and Denpasar in Bali. This survey also found that Pig-nosed Turtles could be bought through a growing online marketplace, with sellers located in Indonesia as well as in the United States and the United Kingdom. Along this international trade chain, the value of Pig-nosed Turtles increased exponentially: hatchlings were generally sold in Papuan villages for USD 0.56-1.33 each; in domestic trade hubs such as Jakarta and Surabaya for USD 3.30-8.33 each; and on international markets for USD 39-56 each. Thirty-two seizures of Pig-nosed Turtles, between 2003 and 2012, were compiled in this study, including more than 81,689 individual turtles. Most seizures (75% of reported cases) occurred early in the calendar year (i.e., between January-March) towards the end of the nesting season for Pig-nosed Turtles, suggesting that traders are moving shipments as soon as the turtles are hatched. Available seizure data suggests that Pig-nosed Turtles are being traded in large quantities, with consignments averaging 2817 3701 turtles per seizure. Highlighting the enormity of this illegal trade was one seizure that rescued 12 247 Pig-nosed Turtles in Timika, Papua en route to Jakarta. Most enforcement actions and confiscations occurred at points of export from Indonesia, with little documented enforcement at the source of eggs collection. Undoubtedly, the swamps and river systems where turtles are sourced are vast and the villages involved in the trade are remote, making enforcement efforts for Pig-nosed Turtle trade geographically challenging. Nonetheless, the lack of enforcement, and potential corruption, at the source of trade means that the exploitation of wild Pig-nosed Turtles populations proceeds unhindered. All of the egg collections and ex-situ hatchery operations observed during this survey were illegal, relying on wild harvested eggs for commercial sale. An apparent problem for addressing trade issues in Papuan villages is that many local people are confused by the concept of 'captive breeding' and are freely collecting eggs without remorse. Inadequate enforcement of Indonesia's legislation to protect Pig-nosed Turtles from wild harvest in Papua is a major factor contributing to the excessive exploitation. Anecdotal information implies that while there have not been any quotas issued for taking Pig-nosed Turtles or their eggs from the wild, there are a few traders licensed to breed and export Pig-nosed Turtle in Indonesia. How they would have acquired breeding stock is not clear. Yet, according to the CITES Trade Database (WCMC), Indonesia has only ever legally exported one shipment of 57 Pig-nosed Turtles for the purpose of trade in 2006 to the US (these animals were declared as being Farmed). It is suspected that illegal smuggling is an easier and cost-cutting option, and therefore the preferred route for traders. The trade threat to Pig-nosed Turtles is further compounded by the high mortality rate reported in smuggling operations, with available data from reported seizures showing that on average 18% of turtles die in a shipment. Turtles that are found alive by authorities in confiscated shipments are held in a temporary holding facilities or rescue centres. Surviving confiscated turtles were sometimes repatriated back into the wild in Papua by Indonesian Customs and local government BKSDA officials - often with financial aid from industries within Papua. The environmental risks and financial costs associated with maintaining, translocating and reintroducing seized Pig-nosed Turtles are substantial, particularly for cases where turtles are seized outside of Papua and/or large numbers of turtles are involved. Results of this study have shown that the exploitation of Pig-nosed Turtles in Papua, Indonesia has reached a level that requires immediate action. High international demand for Pig-nosed Turtles, combined with an organised and influential global wildlife trade network within Indonesia, unregulated harvesting of eggs, an increased potential to collect eggs in previously inaccessible swamp habitat in Papua (i.e., using motorboats, improved regional infrastructure), growing socio-economic incentives for rural Papuans to harvest turtles for income and a lack of enforcement at the source of wild harvests, are contributing to unprecedented levels of exploitation of Pig-nosed Turtles throughout its Papuan range. Unless actions are taken to mitigate the high demands of consumer nations and to fully enforce the legal protection of Pig-nosed Turtles within Indonesia, the current unabated harvest regimes observed in rivers throughout Papua will lead to significant population declines of Pig-nosed Turtles (see Eisemberg et al., 2011). For the effective protection of the Pignosed Turtle in Papua, Details: Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.: TRAFFIC, 2014. 29p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 20, 2014 at: http://www.traffic.org/home/2014/10/4/intensive-collection-threatens-peculiar-pig-nosed-turtle-in.html Year: 2014 Country: Indonesia URL: http://www.traffic.org/home/2014/10/4/intensive-collection-threatens-peculiar-pig-nosed-turtle-in.html Shelf Number: 133748 Keywords: Illegal Wildlife TradeNatural ResourcesTurtlesWildlife ConservationWildlife Crime (Indonesia)Wildlife EnforcementWildlife Smuggling |
Author: Soreide, Tina Title: Drivers of Corruption: A Brief Review Summary: Drivers of Corruption: A Brief Review provides an overview of scholarly literature explaining the risk of corruption. Corrupt acts are subject to decision making authority and assets available for grabbing. These assets can be stolen, created by artificial shortage, or become available as the result of a market failure. Assets that are especially exposed to corruption include profits from the private sector, revenues from the export of natural resources, aid and loans, and the proceeds of crime. Whether opportunities for corruption are exploited depends on the individuals involved, the institution or society they are part of, and the law enforcement circumstances. Corruption usually persists in situations in which players are aware of the facts but nonetheless condone the practice. Absence of reaction can result from information asymmetries (in which the people who are supposed to act are not aware of the need to act), coordination failure, patronage-determined loyalty, and incentive problems at the political level. This review of results and insights from different parts of the scholarly literature on corruption focuses on areas where research can guide anticorruption policy. Drivers of Corruption also describes a number of corruption-related challenges in need of more attention from researchers Details: Washington, DC: The World Bank, 2014. 95p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 14, 2014 at: https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/bitstream/handle/10986/20457/916420PUB0Box30UBLIC009781464804014.pdf?sequence=1 Year: 2014 Country: International URL: https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/bitstream/handle/10986/20457/916420PUB0Box30UBLIC009781464804014.pdf?sequence=1 Shelf Number: 134087 Keywords: Corruption (International) Fraud Natural ResourcesPolitical Corruption |
Author: Burnett, Mark Title: Illegal Fishing in Arctic Waters: Catch of Today - Gone Tomorrow? Summary: Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing is a global concern, costing nations upwards of $10 billion (US$15.5 billion) annually. Few places are of such great concern as the Arctic, home to some of the most outstanding marine ecosystems and most productive fisheries in the world. Indeed, between them the Barents Sea cod fishery and the Russian Far Eastern pollock fishery alone account for between 20 and 25% of the global catch of whitefish. Recent years have seen significant progress in reducing - though by no means eliminating - IUU fishing in the Barents Sea. A new WWF report, Illegal Fishing in Arctic Waters, finds, however, that it remains a concern in the western Bering Sea and the Sea of Okhotsk in the Russian Far East. Moreover, globalization of the fishing industry has resulted not only in new markets and new governance structures, but also in new challenges and obstacles to combating the truly international criminal activity that IUU fishing has become. Details: Oslo: World Wildlife Fund International Arctic Programme, 2008. 52p. Source: Internet Resource: accessed February 3, 2015 at: http://d2ouvy59p0dg6k.cloudfront.net/downloads/iuu_report_version_1_3_30apr08.pdf Year: 2008 Country: International URL: http://d2ouvy59p0dg6k.cloudfront.net/downloads/iuu_report_version_1_3_30apr08.pdf Shelf Number: 134523 Keywords: Fishing IndustryIllegal FishingMaritime CrimeNatural ResourcesWildlife Crimes |
Author: Pearce, Fred Title: Protecting Forests, Respecting Rights: Options for EU Action on deforestation and forest degradation Summary: This report examines the EU's "Deforestation Footprint" - its role in global deforestation. It looks at important action the EU has taken, through the Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Action Plan to improve how forests are owned and managed in timber-exporting countries and to prevent imports of illegal tropical timber entering EU borders. Details: Moreton in Marsh, UK: Fern, 2015. 24p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 30, 2015 at: http://www.fern.org/sites/fern.org/files/Protecting%20Forests%20Respecting%20Rights.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Europe URL: http://www.fern.org/sites/fern.org/files/Protecting%20Forests%20Respecting%20Rights.pdf Shelf Number: 135077 Keywords: ConservationDeforestation (Europe)ForestsIllegal LoggingNatural Resources |
Author: Lee-Ashley, Matt Title: Oil and Gas Industry Investments in the National Rifle Association and Safari Club International. Reshaping American Energy, Land, and Wildlife Policy Summary: Two bedrock principles have guided the work and advocacy of American sportsmen for more than a century. First, under the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, wildlife in the United States is considered a public good to be conserved for everyone and accessible to everyone, not a commodity that can be bought and owned by the highest bidder. Second, since President Theodore Roosevelt's creation of the first wildlife refuges and national forests, sportsmen have fought to protect wildlife habitat from development and fragmentation to ensure healthy game supplies. These two principles, however, are coming under growing fire from an aggressive and coordinated campaign funded by the oil and gas industry. As part of a major effort since 2008 to bolster its lobbying and political power, the oil and gas industry has steadily expanded its contributions and influence over several major conservative sportsmen's organizations, including Safari Club International, or SCI, the National Rifle Association, or NRA, and the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation. The first two organizations have assumed an increasingly active and vocal role in advancing energy industry priorities, even when those positions are in apparent conflict with the interests of hunters and anglers who are their rank-and-file members. The third group, the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation, or CSF, is also heavily funded by oil and gas interests and plays a key role in providing energy companies, SCI, the NRA, gun manufacturers, and other corporate sponsors with direct access to members of Congress. The growing influence of the oil and gas industry on these powerful groups is reshaping the politics, policies, and priorities of American land and wildlife conservation. In this report, we identify three high-profile debates in which the growing influence of the oil and gas industry in SCI, CSF, the NRA and other conservative sportsmen groups could play a decisive role in achieving outcomes that are beneficial to energy companies at the expense of habitat protection, science-based management, and hunter and angler access to wildlife and public lands. These areas to watch are: - Endangered and threatened wildlife in oil- and gas-producing regions: The case of the greater sage grouse and the lesser prairie chicken - The backcountry: How the oil and gas industry and its allies are working to undo protections of roadless areas and wilderness study areas - Public access and ownership: The movement to privatize public lands and wildlife The oil and gas industry's growing investment in conservative sportsmen groups is already yielding ever-greater influence over legislation and policy decisions that benefit the industry's financial interests at the expense of hunters and anglers. Understanding and tracking this powerful lobbying alliance is of increasing importance to those who believe that American sportsmen can and should continue to be the standard-bearers for our nation's conservation tradition defend the principles that have guided North American land and wildlife stewardship for more than a century. Details: Washington, DC: Center for American Progress, 2014. 36p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 4, 2015 at: https://cdn.americanprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/IndustryInfluenceReport.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United States URL: https://cdn.americanprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/IndustryInfluenceReport.pdf Shelf Number: 135503 Keywords: National Rifle AssociationNatural ResourcesOil IndustryWildlife ConservationWildlife Crime (U.S.) |
Author: World Growth Title: Wronging Indonesia -The EU's Bait and Switch Illegal Logging Policy and its Impact on Indonesian Enterprises Summary: The EU is delaying implementation of a 'Voluntary Partnership Agreement' (VPA) with Indonesia on illegal timber exports. Indonesia has complied with EU demands at significant cost, but the delays mean Indonesia's exporters will now have to comply with a different, more costly system of regulation. This report examines the implications. Illegal logging first emerged as a campaign issue in 1998. The illegal timber trade was linked to global concerns over deforestation. Action against illegal logging in developing countries was supported by Western industries that were facing increased competition from timber and paper producers, particularly in China. It was also supported by environmental campaign groups that made unsubstantiated claims about the levels of illegal logging taking place globally. However, there has been very little ground-based research on levels of illegal logging in many countries. Indonesia has often been considered a 'worst offender' for alleged exports of illegal timber. This has in part been due to high levels of administrative overlap during the country's transition into a democracy. Despite this, Indonesia has undertaken successful action to reduce levels of illegal logging and been a driving force in taking action against illegal logging internationally. In 2003 the European Union (EU) first announced it would attempt to prevent the sale of 'illegal' timber on European markets through a combination of domestic legal instruments and international agreements. They are the European Union Timber Regulation (EUTR) and Voluntary Partnership Agreements (VPA) respectively. These policy instruments have emerged following a long international campaign based on unsound data and emotive campaigning by Green groups and uncompetitive manufacturers in Europe. Voluntary Partnership Agreements were introduced as the key policy measure for Europe to take action against 'illegal' timber. The VPAs were ostensibly introduced as a means for exporting nations to 'fast track' timber products into Europe from nations that comply with European regulatory demands. The real purpose is to pressure developing countries that export timber products to apply standards determined by the EU to regulate exports, under the threat of import bans. VPAs require the implementation of a licensing system for exporters wishing to export timber products to Europe that verify the legality of the product. For many developing nations this is a costly exercise. VPA uptake has been slow. This has been in part due to a reluctance of developing nations to enter into trade agreements that propose conditions on non-trade items, such as environment and labour. The slow uptake and potential loopholes for non-VPA timber prompted European Greens to press for the introduction of the European Union Timber Regulation (EUTR). The EUTR is set to come into effect in 2013. It threatens European operators with legal action if they sell 'illegal' timber in European markets and/or do not make efforts to mitigate the risk of selling 'illegal' timber on European markets. This risk can be mitigated with the implementation of tools such as independent third-party verification of timber being exported to Europe, distinct from the VPA licensing system. This is an expensive undertaking for many developing country exporters. Licensed VPA imports were supposed to be exempt from the EUTR and considered risk-free once VPAs were operational. In the case of Indonesia, a VPA has been completed and signed, but is yet to be ratified by the EU. According to Indonesian officials, the EU appears to have stalled the agreement completely. This means Indonesian timber exporters are effectively in policy limbo. They have chosen to have their products verified through the VPA-backed Sistem verifikasi legalitas kayu (SVLK - timber legality assurance system) with the promise of avoiding further costly verification under the EUTR. However, the VPA has stalled, and SVLK is not currently recognised under the EUTR. Indonesia's forest and forest-related industries are significant contributors to Indonesia's economy. There are many large and medium businesses exporting forest products to Europe. There are more than 18 million micro and small forest-based enterprises, producing wooden items, furniture and timber that also export to Europe. Most of these businesses are family enterprises comprising less than four people. For many Indonesian businesses, implementing the systems required under the VPA is prohibitively expensive. The EU's own modelling has indicated it will have a detrimental impact on Indonesia's industry. The new EU policies are likely to have a significant impact on trade with partner nations such as Indonesia. These impacts would ordinarily be obviated by legal obligations under international trade law and/or bilateral trade agreements. However, the legality of these policies under international trade agreements is questionable. The actions by the EU constitute a classic 'bait and switch' strategy. Indonesia has been promised a particular action by the EU; the EU has since reneged. It is now offering Indonesia an inferior agreement, despite securing significant and costly policy actions from Indonesia. Under bait and switch, customers are invited to purchase an item at a low price. The vendor then informs the customer that it is no longer available and must accept a more expensive item. Under European law this type of behaviour is illegal under the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive. Indonesia has taken leading action on illegal logging globally. It has negotiated in good faith with Europe. In this case, the 18 million-plus Indonesians dependent upon the forest industry are likely to consider themselves wronged by Europe. Given these grievances, Indonesia has solid grounds to consider action through the World Trade Organization Details: Arlington, VA: World Growth, 2012. 20p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 4, 2015 at: http://worldgrowth.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/WG_FLEGT_2012_final.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Indonesia URL: http://worldgrowth.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/WG_FLEGT_2012_final.pdf Shelf Number: 135506 Keywords: ForestsIllegal Logging (Indonesia)Illegal TimberNatural ResourcesOffenses Against the Environment |
Author: Lopina, Olga Title: Illegal Logging in Northwestern Russia and Export of Russian Forest Products to Sweden Summary: Illegal logging is one of key threats to forests worldwide. The trade of illegally harvested wood is a multi-million dollar industry going on in over 70 countries, in all types of forests, from Brazil to Canada, from Cameroon to Indonesia, and from Peru to Russia. Since illegal logging and trade activities tend to be concentrated in forests rich in plant and animal diversity, environmental costs are also high. Illegal logging became a big problem in the region, particularly in the past decade. The share of illegal wood in the export ranges from 25 to 30% and even to 50% by various estimates. Illegal logging is caused by both low level of control of logging operations from the government and lack of responsible approach of logging and wood trading companies, which do no not control the origin of wood. This results in severe overlogging in densely populated areas and overall changes of forest quality. Illegal logging has also significant social impact because it reduces income from forest resources. The latest estimates show that Russia loses approximately 1 milliard USD a year due to illegal logging and trade. Details: Moscow: World Wildlife Fund, 2003. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 6, 2015 at: www.wwf.ru Year: 2003 Country: Russia URL: www.wwf.ru Shelf Number: 135512 Keywords: Forests Illegal Logging Illegal Trade Natural Resources |
Author: United Nations Environment Programme Title: Experts' background report on illegal exploitation and trade in natural resources benefitting organized criminal groups and recommendations on MONUSCO's role in fostering stability and peace in eastern DR Congo Summary: This report examines the role of transnational environmental crime as one of the several key factors fuelling the protracted conflict cycle in eastern Democratic Congo. It makes recommendations on how MONUSCO, in its forthcoming down-sizing phase, might wick to endeavor supporting the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in addressing apparent segments of the Congolese political economy that are linked to transnational environmental crime. Details: Nairobi, Kenya: UNEP, 2015. 39p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 23, 2015 at: http://postconflict.unep.ch/publications/UNEP_DRCongo_MONUSCO_OSESG_final_report.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Congo, Democratic Republic URL: http://postconflict.unep.ch/publications/UNEP_DRCongo_MONUSCO_OSESG_final_report.pdf Shelf Number: 135775 Keywords: Illegal TradeNatural ResourcesOffences Against the EnvironmentOrganized Crime |
Author: Smit, Hans Title: Implementing Deforestation-Free Supply Chains - Certification and Beyond Summary: Deforestation and forest degradation result in biodiversity losses and are major sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In an effort to delink agricultural production from deforestation, a growing number of companies and national governments are making public commitments to purchasing products which do not cause deforestation. SNV's REDD+ Energy and Agriculture Programme (REAP) published a report examining the role of agricultural certification standards in effectively halting forest conversion and explores some of the key ingredients which need to be in place in order to establish deforestation-free supply chains. Based on the findings, a toolkit is provided which can help to address identified challenges. The package consists of three components: a traceability and monitoring system, our Inclusive Business approach and the SNV Siting Tool. The toolkit is designed to assist companies and governments in going beyond certification standards in order to bring about the systemic changes needed to delink agricultural production from deforestation and forest degradation at a landscape level. Details: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: SNV REDD+ Energy and Agriculture Programme, 2015. 39p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 23, 2015 at: http://www.snvworld.org/en/redd/publications/implementing-deforestation-free-supply-chains-certification-and-beyond Year: 2015 Country: International URL: http://www.snvworld.org/en/redd/publications/implementing-deforestation-free-supply-chains-certification-and-beyond Shelf Number: 135776 Keywords: DeforestationForestsNatural ResourcesOffenses Against the EnvironmentSupply Chains |
Author: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Title: Criminal Justice Response to Wildlife and Forest Crime in Cambodia: A Rapid Assessment Summary: The Kingdom of Cambodia is a land rich in biological diversity, home to unique and rare species of flora and fauna. It is the most ethnically homogenous country in South East-Asia with 94% of its 15.5 million population made up of Ethnic Khmer. It is bordered by Vietnam, Thailand and Lao PDR and it is a royal monarchy governed by the Cambodian People's Party. The Cambodian government and people have made tremendous advances rebuilding the social infrastructure that was so devastated by decades of war. This growth has been fuelled by international aid and the exploitation of their natural resources, both flora and fauna. In particular the Cambodian forests have undergone extensive commercial logging over the last 30 years with forest cover dropping from 72% in 1973 to 46% in 2013. The percentage of timber products in 2011 was an estimated production volume of 50,000m3 of sawn-timber minus 25,000m3 of reported export timber, which clearly indicates that the domestic market consumes about 50% of the total production. Companies exporting wood products must obtain an export license usually valid for one year based on the sales contract. The export systems adopted in Cambodia, also, include the inspection of products that can be ultimately traced to the exporter and production mill, through export documentation such as PC-IMEX, export permits and export licenses. This exploitation has resulted in the extinction of some species and the reduction in others to such a degree as to make any trade in them illegal. Several flora and fauna species indigenous to Cambodia are now afforded protection under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). These species include high value timber species such as Dalbergia cochinchinensis commonly known as Siamese Rosewood (Appendix II) and fauna species such as the Tiger (Appendix I), Leopard (Appendix I), Clouded Leopard (Appendix I) Elephant (Appendix I), Sun Bear (Appendix I), Banteng (Appendix I), Pangolin (Appendix II) and the iconic Irrawaddy Dolphin (Appendix I). Despite protection under CITES, national laws, Royal Decrees and Prime Ministerial Sub Decrees there is growing evidence that transnational organised crime groups are continuing to target high value timber species in Cambodia and adjoining countries, particularly Thailand. Illegal logging and timber smuggling are a high reward but risky criminal activity which have resulted in armed confrontations, casualties and several deaths among rangers and smugglers. It is not only Cambodia's forests that have been exploited. Many of Cambodia's fauna species have also been targeted and continue to be subjected to illegal trafficking to feed markets in China and Vietnam. Recent seizures point to transnational organised crime groups targeting Cambodia as a transit point for ivory and rhino horn from Africa. The objective of this study therefore is to determine what role the criminal justice system in Cambodia plays in combating the illegal trade in timber and wildlife. In order to coherently achieve this goal, this report relayed primarily on qualitative research methods applying an inductive interpretivist approach, by adopting a series of methods of data generation. This information, empirical and statistical, has been obtained through a variety of sources which include both primary - in the form of structured interviewing techniques - and secondary sources, i.e. publications, articles, government documents. Although a variety of sources, and consequently conclusions and recommendations, will be presented at the end of this study, this report aspires to analyse the role of the criminal justice system in combating the illegal trade in timber and wildlife with a view to engage the Government of Cambodia to improve its performance. There has been careful consideration in the selection of the studied documents with regards to the origins in order to obtain a diverse range of material and at the same maintain a constructive dialogue with the Government. Ultimately, one must also acknowledge that establishing a methodology with the aim of assessing the criminal justice system in Cambodia is problematic within itself and a process susceptible of bias as influenced by numerous assumptions. The political commitment to use criminal justice resources to target the illegal exploitation and trade in timber and wildlife crime is one of the starting points for this country analysis. Criminal justice systems deal with multiple crimes and face considerable public and political pressure on a range of issues. Prioritising interventions is in practice the mechanism that criminal justice actors use to meet large demands with limited resources. The issue of political will is of great relevance too given on-going accusations of wide spread corruption and the protection of wildlife and timber smuggling by those, including political leaders and senior officials, who profit from it. For the purposes of this report "Wildlife and Forest Crime" refers to the taking, trading (supplying, selling or trafficking), importing, exporting, processing, possessing, obtaining and consumption of wild fauna and flora, including timber and other forest products in contravention of national or international law. This study has analysed the framework of responses to crime as defined by national laws. Details: Vienna: UNODC, 2015. 38p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 3, 2015 at: https://www.unodc.org/southeastasiaandpacific/en/regional-programme/toc/environmental-crime.html Year: 2015 Country: Cambodia URL: https://www.unodc.org/southeastasiaandpacific/en/regional-programme/toc/environmental-crime.html Shelf Number: 136295 Keywords: ForestsIllegal LoggingNatural ResourcesOffenses Against the EnvironmentOrganized CrimeWildlife CrimeWildlife Trafficking |
Author: Mansfield, David Title: The Devil is in the Details: Nangarhar's continued decline into insurgency, violence and widespread drug production Summary: Nangarhar - a province that historically has been one of the major entry points for the capture of Kabul - is in complete disarray. It lies in chaos, riven by a process of political fragmentation that has increased in both pace and severity since the presidential elections and the formation of the National Unity Government (NUG). In fact, there seems little to currently bind the province together given the faltering economy, a reduction in aid flows and the continued disassembling of the political alliances that maintained stability during the early years of Gul Aga Sherzai's governorship. Further catalysing this are the drawdown and subsequent closure of the US-led Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) - an institution that was, for a period of time, a guarantor for the Afghan state in the province. Indeed, without US military support, and with little direction from Kabul, the Afghan National Defence Security Forces (ANDSF) appear reluctant to leave the sanctuary of their fortified bases. This has led to further losses in government-held territory, particularly in the districts south of the main highway, which runs east to west linking Kabul to the Pakistan border at Torkham. Details: Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit, 2016. 18p. Source: Internet Resource: Brief: Accessed February 17, 2016 at: http://www.areu.org.af/Uploads/EditionPdfs/1602E%20The%20Devil%20is%20in%20the%20Details%20Nangarhar%20continued%20decline%20into%20insurgency.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Afghanistan URL: http://www.areu.org.af/Uploads/EditionPdfs/1602E%20The%20Devil%20is%20in%20the%20Details%20Nangarhar%20continued%20decline%20into%20insurgency.pdf Shelf Number: 137856 Keywords: Drug-Related ViolenceIllegal DrugsNarcotics Natural Resources OpiumPoppy Cultivation |
Author: Finn, Kathleen Title: Responsible Resource Development and Prevention of Sex Trafficking: Safeguarding Native Women and Children on the Fort Berthold Reservation Summary: In 2010, large deposits of oil and natural gas were found in the Bakken shale formation, much of which is encompassed by the Fort Berthold Indian reservation, home to the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation ("MHA Nation" or "Three Affiliated Tribes" or "the Tribe"). However, rapid oil and gas development has brought an unprecedented rise of violent crime on and near the Fort Berthold reservation. Specifically, the influx of well-paid male oil and gas workers, living in temporary housing often referred to as "man camps," has coincided with a disturbing increase in sex trafficking of Native women. The social risks of oil development on American Indian reservations like Fort Berthold are distinct from development in other areas in the United States. The complex and shifting nature of federal Indian law presents legal and practical challenges to law enforcement in civil and criminal contexts. Further, the historical exploitation of Indian lands and people informs current social and economic conditions that contribute to increased sex trafficking of Native women and children. This paper begins by describing the intersection of sex trafficking and oil and gas development on the Fort Berthold reservation. Next, the paper describes the jurisdictional regime within federal Indian law and other barriers to law enforcement that have created a situation ripe for trafficking and other crime on the Fort Berthold reservation. Third, the paper will examine strategies to address this complex issue including: corporate engagement of relevant companies; tribal capacity and coalition building; and remedies contained in the Violence Against Women Act of 2014. This paper asserts that all of the stakeholders involved in oil development on the Fort Berthold reservation - federal, state, tribal, and public and private companies - must work cooperatively to decisively eliminate sex trafficking of Native women and children Details: Boulder, CO: American Indian Law Clinic, University of Colorado at Boulder, School of Law, 2016. 41p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 19, 2016 at: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2723517 Year: 2016 Country: United States URL: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2723517 Shelf Number: 137896 Keywords: American IndiansHuman TraffickingNative AmericansNatural ResourcesSex Trafficking |
Author: Blede, Barthelemy Title: Threats to Senegal's fishing sector: A case study from the Ziguinchor region Summary: Fishing is of key socio-economic importance to the Senegalese economy, especially in the Ziguinchor region. However, the sector faces several challenges, including illegal fishing, insufficient infrastructure and weak human and material resources particularly in the regional fisheries services. Senegal has learnt from experience that allowing local communities and professionals to manage sites where fish is unloaded seems to pay off, although the sector needs more initiatives of this kind. The major outstanding challenges are building fishing ports, and adopting or strengthening measures to counter the effects of dwindling fish species. Nature has endowed the Ziguinchor region with an abundance of fish. This natural advantage has transformed fishing into a major socio-economic activity in a region that still bears the brunt of the Casamance rebellion. However, the sector faces major challenges, amongst which are illegal, undeclared and unregulated fishing, inadequate port facilities, funding access constraints, deforestation and coastal erosion. Several initiatives have been adopted to counter these, the most important being participatory fisheries management and the creation of protected marine areas. Setting up local and community heritage areas may also contribute to curbing the erosion of resources if they are granted clear legal status so they can prevent conflicts between fishermen from within and outside of the locality. Details: Pretoria: Institute for Security Studies, 2014. 12p. Source: Internet Resource: West Africa Report, Issue 15: Accessed March 30, 2016 at: https://www.issafrica.org/uploads/WestAfricaReport15.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Senegal URL: https://www.issafrica.org/uploads/WestAfricaReport15.pdf Shelf Number: 138499 Keywords: Fishing Industry Illegal Fishing Natural ResourcesWildlife Conservation |
Author: American Bar Association. Center for Human Rights Title: Tilted Scales: Social Conflict and Criminal Justice in Guatemala Summary: Guatemala has made progress in the last decade addressing the legacy of thirty-six years of internal armed conflict, including by holding key actors responsible for atrocities. However, the level of social conflict in Guatemala remains high in part because many of the issues that contributed to past discord remain unresolved. These issues include disputes over land titles and the exploitation of resources in historically indigenous territories. Social conflict has at times manifested in violence against both indigenous communities and individuals associated with business interests. In this setting, a wide variety of organizations - local and international, governmental and non-governmental - have reported a pattern of attacks, threats, and frivolous criminal charges against human rights defenders, specifically in the context of disputes over mega projects in indigenous lands. These reports prompted the American Bar Association's Center for Human Rights, Georgetown University Law Center's Human Rights Institute and the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights to conduct a fact-finding mission in Guatemala to determine whether allegations of the misuse of the judicial system against human rights advocates were well founded. We interviewed government officials, civil society leaders, defense attorneys and community activists in Guatemala City from November 26-30, 2012. In addition, we reviewed court documents, official reports and press accounts concerning emblematic cases to evaluate the sufficiency of the evidence against defendants, the government's response to credible threats against activists and the conduct of business personnel. Details: Washington, DC: American Bar Association Center for Human Rights, 2013. 23p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 4, 2016 at: http://www.law.georgetown.edu/academics/centers-institutes/human-rights-institute/opportunities/upload/Tilted-Scales-Social-Conflict-and-Criminal-Justice-in-Guatemala.pdf Year: 2013 Country: Guatemala URL: http://www.law.georgetown.edu/academics/centers-institutes/human-rights-institute/opportunities/upload/Tilted-Scales-Social-Conflict-and-Criminal-Justice-in-Guatemala.pdf Shelf Number: 138558 Keywords: Criminal Justice SystemsHuman Rights AbusesJudicial SystemNatural Resources |
Author: Global Witness Title: Jade: Myanmar's Summary: Since 2011, Myanmar's rebranded government has told the world it is transitioning from a pariah state run by a ruthless military dictatorship to a civilian regime committed to wholesale political and economic reforms. In important respects, there has been real change. Oft-cited examples include the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners, and the government's peace talks with ethnic armed groups. But in other critical areas, the reformist narrative bears little scrutiny. Nowhere is this truer than in the jade sector. Drawing on over a year of investigations, this report shows for the first time how a multi-billion dollar trade in one of the planet's most precious gemstones is tightly controlled by the same military elites, US-sanctioned drug lords and crony companies that the government says it is consigning to the past. Companies owned by the family of former dictator Than Shwe and other notorious figures are creaming off vast profits from the country's most valuable natural resource, and the world's finest supply of a stone synonymous with glitz and glamour. Meanwhile, very few revenues reach the people of Kachin State, the site of the Hpakant jade mines, or the population of Myanmar as a whole. As the country approaches an historic election, the importance of these findings to Myanmar's future is hard to overstate. Our investigations show that the elites who between them have most to lose from an open and fair future also have ready access to a vast slush fund in the shape of the jade sector. This raises urgent questions for reformers and their international partners. What is happening to all this jade money? Is it only being spent on real estate, fast cars and lavish parties, or is it being used for political purposes as well? The sums involved in what one industry representative calls "the government's big state secret" are staggering. Until now the jade sector's worth has been almost impossible to determine. However, based on new research and analysis, Global Witness estimates that the value of official jade production in 2014 alone was well over the US$12 billion indicated by Chinese import data, and appears likely to have been as much as US$31 billion. To put it in perspective, this figure equates to 48% of Myanmar's official GDP and 46 times government expenditure on health. Clearly, if openly, fairly and sustainably managed, this industry could transform the fortunes of the Kachin population and help drive development across Myanmar. Instead, the people of Kachin State are seeing their livelihoods disappear and their landscape shattered by the intensifying scramble for their most prized asset. Conditions in jade mines are often fatally dangerous, while those who stand in the way of the guns and machines face land grabs, intimidation and violence. Details: London: Global Witness, 2015. 128p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 6, 2016 at: https://www.globalwitness.org/en-gb/campaigns/oil-gas-and-mining/myanmarjade/ Year: 2015 Country: Burma URL: https://www.globalwitness.org/en-gb/campaigns/oil-gas-and-mining/myanmarjade/ Shelf Number: 138577 Keywords: Drug LordsNatural ResourcesPrecious Metals |
Author: Global Witness Title: Lords of Jade: How Southeast Asia's biggest drug lord used shell companies to become a jade kingpin. Summary: Southeast Asia's most notorious narcotics trafficker has become one of the most powerful figures in the country's corrupt, abusive jade business, a new Global Witness report reveals today. Building on Global Witness' explosive recent reporting, Lords of Jade shows how Wei Hsueh Kang controls a range of companies licensed to exploit the Hpakant jade mines in conflict-affected Kachin State. Wei is the architect of a methamphetamine epidemic that has ripped through Southeast Asia, and is the subject of sanctions and a US$2 million bounty from the US government. His network is alleged by business insiders and observers to control Yadanar Yaung Chi, a company that was depositing waste at the tailings dump in Hpakant that collapsed on 21 November, killing over a hundred people. Companies controlled by Wei Hsueh Kang were originally given jade licences by Myanmar's military dictatorship following a ceasefire deal with the United Wa State Army (UWSA), the best equipped of the country's ethnic armed groups, in which Wei has played a leadership role. The US authorities announced indictments and sanctions on Wei's jade business in 2005 and 2008, but it simply shed one corporate skin and grew another. As one analyst of drugs business told Global Witness, "It's a shell game, they just changed the shell". Wei's group have used their connections with the much-feared UWSA to deter scrutiny of their activities. Described by one jade business insider as "a gangster group doing black business", they operate a form of protection racket that exerts control over at least fifty jade mines. Many insiders consider them the most powerful players in Myanmar's staggeringly lucrative jade sector. In the words of one, "If you don't use the Wa name, you cannot operate in Hpakant". The firms at the core of this group collectively posted sales of over US$100 million in jade across two official gems sales events in 2013 and 2014 but are reported to have made far more through smuggling of jade into China. While many of Wei Hsueh Kang's international business connections are believed to be in China and Hong Kong, the front man for the jade companies he controls has a close relationship with American machinery giant Caterpillar Inc., which has invited him on promotional tours of several countries. This reflects both the extent of Wei Hsueh Kang's evasion of US sanctions and the risks that international investors face in Myanmar. In the case of Caterpillar, these risks have been exacerbated by the company's apparent failure to do adequate due diligence on the owners of its dealership in Myanmar. Wei Hsueh Kang's role is a stark reminder of the toxic state of the jade trade, but Myanmar's new government does have options to start addressing it. The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), a global anti-corruption scheme which Myanmar joined in 2014, offers one entry point for tackling the opacity of the jade business, including the specific problem of hidden company ownership. It recommends that companies in the oil gas and mining industries be required to disclose their ultimate 'beneficial' owners and Global Witness is arguing that this provision be applied to jade and other extractive industries as soon as possible. Meanwhile, US sanctions on jade and key players in the business such as Wei Hsueh Kang offer a source of leverage which can be used constructively to reinforce and provide incentives for an agenda for cleaning up the sector. Details: London: Global Witness, 2015. 36p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 6, 2016 at: https://www.globalwitness.org/en/reports/lords-jade/ Year: 2015 Country: Asia URL: https://www.globalwitness.org/en/reports/lords-jade/ Shelf Number: 138578 Keywords: Drug TradeNatural ResourcesPrecious MetalsSmuggling |
Author: Inter-American Commission on Human Rights Title: Indigenous Peoples, Afro-Descendent Communities and Natural Resources: Human Rights Protection in the Context of Extraction, Exploitation, and Development Activities Summary: The report seeks to highlight the breadth and complexity of the problems caused by extractive and development activities in the region, and to set forth a comprehensive framework of Inter-American Human Rights standards on the subject. Extractive, exploitation, and development activities, which are increasing in the hemisphere, are generally implemented in lands and territories historically occupied by indigenous and Afro-descendent communities, which host a great wealth of natural resources. The Commission does not discourage these projects and recognizes the importance of these initiatives for the economic development of countries in the Americas. However, economic development of Member States cannot be undertaken in disregard of their ineluctable obligations to respect and guarantee human rights. Host States (where the project takes place) and foreign States (where the business has its headquarters) have specific obligations in this context. The report spells out each of these obligations with a view to making sure that the economic development of countries in the hemisphere is not attained at the expense of the fundamental human rights of indigenous peoples and Afro-descendent communities. Host States must adopt appropriate and positive steps with due diligence to prevent, investigate, punish and redress human rights violations that result from the execution of these projects. Additionally, they must comply with international human rights standards through the adoption and implementation of effective policies, legislation, regulations and through measures to ensure adequate access to justice. This State obligation includes the prevention of human rights violations, thus it is enforceable prior to the authorization of the project or the granting of permits, as well as during the implementation and the life-cycle of the project, via supervision and oversight methods. This duty includes the obligation to properly identify and assess the inherent impacts these activities would generate on internationally-recognized human rights prior to authorization. In addition, the duty to act with due diligence requires States to adopt an appropriate regulatory framework for the protection of the environment and human rights which adequately contemplates the operation of foreign companies in a state's jurisdiction, with an extraterritorial approach to human rights. Said duty also includes the fundamental obligation to consult potentially affected indigenous and afro-descendent communities, to ensure their effective participation and access to information; the obligation to supervise and monitor the activities of companies and other non-state parties; the duty to prevent illegal activities and forms of violence; and the duty to ensure access to justice and adequate reparation of human rights violations in these contexts. This broad duty also entails taking into account the differentiated impacts and adverse effects of these initiatives on specific groups such as indigenous leaders and authorities, women, children, elderly people and people with disabilities. The report ends with a list of practical recommendations, ranging from general recommendations to ones specifically tailored to the protection of indigenous peoples and afro-descendent communities. The ensemble of recommendations aims generally at setting in place a framework for States to undertake their duty of due diligence, taking all the appropriate steps to prevent, investigate, punish and redress human rights abuses through effective policies, legislation, regulations and adjudication. The Commission insists especially on the drafting and implementation of domestic legislation to protect human rights, and on the setting in place of monitoring, control and supervision systems of the activities of extractive or development companies. The Report includes recommendations geared specifically towards host States as well as States of origin. Details: Washington, DC: IACHR, 2015. 82p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 8, 2016 at: http://www.oas.org/en/iachr/reports/pdfs/ExtractiveIndustries2016.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Africa URL: http://www.oas.org/en/iachr/reports/pdfs/ExtractiveIndustries2016.pdf Shelf Number: 138611 Keywords: DevelopmentHuman Rights AbusesIndigenous PeoplesNatural ResourcesOffenses Against the Environment |
Author: Maguranyanga, Brian Title: "Our Battles Also Changed": Transformation and Black Empowerment in South African National Park, 1991-2008 Summary: The dissertation explores transformation of South African National Parks (SANParks), from 1991 to 2008. SANParks organizational "battles also changed" with transition to democracy, which resulted in major political and institutional changes in South Africa. Based on a single case study, with a longitudinal dimension (study period, 1991-2008), the dissertation examines SANParks transformation through multi-disciplinary lens, and analyzes transformation strategies and initiatives related to de-racialization, black empowerment, social justice, and people-oriented conservation. Key informant interviews, archival research (documents), observational methods, and official SANParks' organizational climate survey data set provide the data. Confronted with increasing pressure to address the apartheid legacy, SANParks responded by reforming and advancing broader objectives of "transformation" in an effort to be legitimate and survive in the new South Africa. The dissertation argues that in the context of broader transformations, political and major policy changes, SANParks' initiatives were predicated on "enlightened pragmatism" and recognition that its organizational interests are secured through local socio-economic development and advancement of black empowerment. SANParks executives acknowledged that populist demands and societal expectations of the role and functions of national parks had to be tempered by moderation and pragmatism while transcending narrow conservation interests. In the process, SANParks was compelled by pragmatic reasons and "enlightened self-interests" to advance socio-economic initiatives that focus on historically disadvantaged communities living adjacent to national parks. It therefore focused its attention on aligning organizational interests with broader goals of transformation, black empowerment, and local socio-economic development in South Africa while keeping a big part of its conservation agenda and structure more or less intact. SANParks leaders' transcended the impasse between the narrow conservation mandate and social issues by balancing strategic objectives against situational contingencies. Such "enlightened pragmatism" enabled SANParks to mobilize resources and socio-political support for transformation initiatives. The dissertation highlights pragmatism and relativity of transformational choices, strategic policies and approaches that influenced the trajectory of SANParks transformation, which was informed by conditions on the ground - powerful ideational, political, institutional, and economic forces. Details: Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan, 2009. 222p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed June 2, 2016 at: https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/handle/2027.42/62352 Year: 2009 Country: South Africa URL: https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/handle/2027.42/62352 Shelf Number: 139273 Keywords: Natural ResourcesWildlife Conservation |
Author: Dranginis, Holly Title: Grand Theft Global: Prosecuting the War Crime of Pillage in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Summary: From the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) to the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) to Al-Shabaab, many of the world's most infamous and destabilizing armed actors today finance their activities in part through the illegal exploitation and trade of natural resources. Theft in the context of armed conflict constitutes the war crime of pillage, which is punishable in most domestic jurisdictions and at the International Criminal Court (ICC). Prosecuting armed actors and their facilitators for natural resource pillage can help reduce incomes for perpetrators of atrocities, combat resource exploitation, and end the impunity that enables illegal financial networks to thrive in conflict zones. Furthermore, investigating pillage can strengthen cases addressing violent atrocity crimes like rape and murder by uncovering critical information about command responsibility and criminal intent. Prosecutions are a direct, effective way to help disrupt conflict financing and improve accountability for economic crimes - like trafficking and money laundering - and the atrocities they fuel. Details: Washington, DC: Enough Project, 2015. 27p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 6, 2016 at: http://www.enoughproject.org/files/GrandTheftGlobal-PillageReport-Dranginis-Enough-Jan2015.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Congo, Democratic Republic URL: http://www.enoughproject.org/files/GrandTheftGlobal-PillageReport-Dranginis-Enough-Jan2015.pdf Shelf Number: 139285 Keywords: Illegal TradeNatural ResourcesOffenses Against the EnvironmentPillagingWar Crimes |
Author: Bafilemba, Fidel Title: Congo's Conflict Gold Rush: Bringing Gold into the Legal Trade in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Summary: A trade in illegally mined and smuggled "conflict gold" is fueling both high-level military corruption and violent rebel groups in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), according to a new report by the Enough Project. "Congo's Conflict Gold Rush: Bringing gold into the legal trade in the Democratic Republic of Congo," by the Enough Project's Fidel Bafilemba and Sasha Lezhnev, offers an in-depth portrait of the conflict gold supply chain, from muddy artisanal mines where gold is dug out with shovels and pick-axes, through illicit transport routes in Uganda, Burundi, and Dubai. Based on seven months of field research at mines and in regional capitals, the report provides an in-depth discussion of solutions to the conflict gold supply chain. Details: Washington, DC: Enough Project, 2015. 36p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 7, 2016 at: http://www.enoughproject.org/files/April%2029%202015%20Congo%20Conflict%20Gold%20Rush%20reduced.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Congo, Democratic Republic URL: http://www.enoughproject.org/files/April%2029%202015%20Congo%20Conflict%20Gold%20Rush%20reduced.pdf Shelf Number: 139291 Keywords: GoldIllegal TradeIllicit TradeNatural ResourcesSmuggling |
Author: Fleischner, Justine Title: Deadly Enterprise: Dismantling South Sudan's War Economy and Countering Potential Spoilers Summary: "Deadly Enterprise" is the third in a series of in-depth, field research-driven reports on the dynamics of profit and power fueling war in the Horn, East and Central Africa. Violent kleptocracies dominate the political landscape of this region, leading to protracted conflicts marked by the commission of mass atrocities by state and non-state actors. Enough's Political Economy of African Wars series will focus on the key players in these conflicts, their motivations, how they benefit from the evolving war economies, and what policies might be most effective in changing the calculations of those orchestrating the violence - including both incentives and pressures for peace. Details: Washington, DC: Enough Project, 2015. 36p. Source: Internet Resource: The Political Economy of African Wars: No. 3: Accessed June 7, 2016 at: http://www.enoughproject.org/files/DeadlyEnterprise_121515.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Congo, Democratic Republic URL: http://www.enoughproject.org/files/DeadlyEnterprise_121515.pdf Shelf Number: 139292 Keywords: Exploitation of Natural ResourcesNatural ResourcesViolence |
Author: Agger, Kasper Title: Warlord Business: CAR's Violent Armed Groups and their Criminal Operations for Profit and Power Summary: The two main armed groups in the Central African Republic (CAR) - the ex-Seleka and the Anti-Balaka, along with their multiple factions - make millions of dollars in profits from illicit activities, which support their operations and create wealth for ruthless warlords and business owners. Killings, extortion, and other forms of violence are used to control areas with gold and diamonds throughout CAR, and the groups are deeply involved in this high-value trade in several ways. The two groups also generate income through illicit taxes and "protection money" from civilians, road travelers, businesses, local organizations, and state institutions. Ex-Seleka and Anti-Balaka groups profit from a large illicit minerals trade. They do this directly by the mining and theft of diamonds and gold that they then sell to middlemen. They also profit indirectly by looting, extortion, and predatory taxation of miners and traders. Research presented in this report estimates the total current value of the illicit diamond trade and taxation by armed groups in CAR to be between $3.87 and $5.8 million dollars annually, a sufficient amount in CAR to fund widespread military operations. The majority of the diamonds and the gold are smuggled out of CAR to neighboring countries - mainly Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Sudan - and then on to international markets; a lesser amount is sold on the local market within CAR. Some of the diamonds sold locally are purchased by three Central African diamond buying houses that currently have a total stock of diamonds worth close to $8 million. This domestic diamond trade is not prohibited by the Kimberley Process (KP) suspension of CAR's membership and the decision by KP members to refrain from sending or receiving diamond shipments from CAR that has been in effect since May 2013 and only restricts exports of rough Central African diamonds. Deliberations are, however, underway concerning the possibility of a partial lifting of the KP restrictions. There are concerns that the combination of an inadequate diamond tracing system in CAR and control by armed groups of diamond mines could result in conflict diamonds, which have provided financing for armed groups, entering the KP-approved diamond trade. To counter this danger, any lifting of CAR's KP diamond restrictions should be conditioned on the removal of all armed groups from mining sites, full control of diamond trading markets by U.N. peacekeepers or local gendarmes, and a credible tracing and due diligence system for diamonds bought and sold by Central African diamond companies, including those for export. In addition to natural resource exploitation, ex-Seleka factions in particular have set up efficient tax collection practices. Conservative assessments estimate that different factions within the group collect $1.5 to $2 million annually from illicit road taxation throughout the areas they control in central and eastern CAR. They gain an additional estimated $210,000 to $420,000 in taxation of cattle traders and $200,000 to $240,000 from taxation of coffee traders. Meanwhile, Anti-Balaka groups that roam western CAR collect illicit road taxes, extort money from rural villages, and demand sums that range from $600 to $1,000 as a one-time payment for "protection." Additional research is needed to estimate the total annual profits collected by Anti-Balaka groups through road taxation, looting, and other abusive activities. Details: Washington, DC: Enough Project, 2015. 32p. Source: Internet Resource: The Political Economy of African Wars: No. 2: Accessed June 7, 2016 at: http://www.enoughproject.org/files/Warlord%20Business%20061615.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Central African Republic URL: http://www.enoughproject.org/files/Warlord%20Business%20061615.pdf Shelf Number: 139294 Keywords: DiamondsExploitation of Natural ResourcesExtortionIllicit TradeLootingNatural ResourcesViolence |
Author: Dranginis, Holly Title: Going for Gold: Engaging the Jewelry Industry in Responsible Gold Sourcing in Africa's Great Lakes Region Summary: For thousands of years, gold has represented love, tradition, wealth, beauty, and decadence. In the United States alone, these associations cause the gold jewelry industry to be worth more than five billion dollars annually. Halfway around the world, however, the extraction and smuggling of gold serves as an important means of funding for armed groups and army commanders in the deadliest conflict since World War II. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo ("Congo"), violent armed actors mine, tax, and smuggle minerals and perpetrate widespread atrocities. Major supply chain reforms by electronics companies, coupled with the Dodd-Frank Act's section on conflict minerals and the beginnings of a minerals certification process in the Great Lakes region of Africa, have led to a marked improvement in the security situation at tin, tantalum, and tungsten (3T) mines in Congo. Over two-thirds of the eastern Congo's 3T mines are conflict-free today. Gold, however, remains a major financial lifeline for armed actors. 98 percent of artisanally mined gold - estimated at between $383 and $409 million in 2013 - is smuggled out of the country annually, and much of that gold benefits armed commanders. Gold sold by armed groups into the global supply chain ends up in various products, including jewelry, which is the main overall end user of gold. Conflict gold thus taints the industry as a whole. Fortunately, jewelry retailers and consumers can play important roles to help end the conflict gold trade and the suffering it causes, together with the actions of governments. Corporate and consumer behavior can lead to increased demand for responsibly sourced, conflict-free gold and promote investment in positive mining initiatives in the region. As the largest end-user of gold, making up around 45 percent of worldwide gold demand, jewelry companies have the ability to increase demand for conflict-free gold from Congo and the region. Resolving the conflict gold problem in Congo and the Great Lakes region will require concerted efforts by a number of actors, including governments worldwide, especially the United States, India, China, the United Arab Emirates, and in the region. International and local civil society actors, mining and refining companies, and artisanal mining groups must also play a role. But leadership by the companies that sell jewelry is an indispensable component to changing market demand to favor enterprises that promote peace and prosperity over those that entrench violence and criminality. The Enough Project has engaged with the largest jewelry retailers in an effort to encourage companies to use their power and resources in more robust, effective ways to support responsible sourcing in Congo and the Great Lakes region of Africa . To highlight leadership opportunities for companies that sell jewelry, Enough surveyed the 14 largest North American jewelry retailers through a detailed questionnaire and direct consultations. Our survey assessed what policies the retailers have adopted and which actions they have taken to counter the use of conflict gold. Details: Washington, DC: Enough Project, 2014. 84p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 7, 2016 at: http://www.enoughproject.org/files/publications/GoingForGoldAndAnnex-EnoughProject-Nov2014.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Africa URL: http://www.enoughproject.org/files/publications/GoingForGoldAndAnnex-EnoughProject-Nov2014.pdf Shelf Number: 139295 Keywords: Conflict MineralsExploitation of Natural ResourcesGoldNatural ResourcesSmuggling of Natural Resources |
Author: Dranginis, Holly Title: The Mafia in the Park: A charcoal syndicate is threatening Virunga, Africa's oldest national park Summary: An illegal charcoal cartel is helping to finance one of the most prominent militias in central Africa and destroying parts of Africa's oldest national park. Nursing alliances with Congolese army and police units and operating remote trafficking rings in the sanctuaries of Congo's protected forests, the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) is a kingpin in Africa's Great Lakes region's organized crime networks and a continuing threat to human security. Details: Washington, DC: Enough Project, 2016. 45p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 22, 2016 at: http://www.enoughproject.org/files/report_MafiaInThePark_Dranginis_Enough_June2016.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Africa URL: http://www.enoughproject.org/files/report_MafiaInThePark_Dranginis_Enough_June2016.pdf Shelf Number: 139794 Keywords: CharcoalForestsIllegal TradeNatural ResourcesOrganized CrimeTheft of Natural Resources |
Author: Rettberg, Angelika Title: Gold, Oil and the Lure of Violence: The Private Sector and Post-conflict Risks in Colombia Summary: For the first time in decades Colombia seems to be on course towards a negotiated settlement with its two remaining guerrilla groups, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia and the National Liberation Army. However, the post-conflict prospects are not altogether auspicious. Abundant weapons in circulation, demobilised combatants with criminal expertise, and multiple opportunities for applying this know-how in both legal and illegal activities and organisations as part of the steady and continuing reconfiguration of criminal groups pose serious risks to stability and the sustainability of peace in Colombia over the coming years. This report presents a number of the challenges for Colombia's post-conflict stability arising from criminal networks and activities in regions associated with the extractive industry - and specifically in regions dedicated to oil extraction and gold mining. While domestic and foreign investments have risen over recent years, and overall security conditions have improved, it is likely that armed violence will continue and undergo further transformations in these regions. The emergence of new sorts of non-conventional armed violence, operating across the spectrum between conflict and criminality, illustrates the challenge of consolidating a post-conflict arrangement in Colombia. Details: Oslo: Norwegian Peacebuilding Resource Centre (NOREF), 2015. 13p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 28, 2016 at: https://www.clingendael.nl/sites/default/files/Rettberg_NOREF%20Clingendael_Gold%20oil%20and%20the%20lure%20of%20violence_the%20private%20sector%20and%20post-conflict%20risks%20in%20Colombia_Sept%202015_FINAL.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Colombia URL: https://www.clingendael.nl/sites/default/files/Rettberg_NOREF%20Clingendael_Gold%20oil%20and%20the%20lure%20of%20violence_the%20private%20sector%20and%20post-conflict%20risks%20in%20Colombia_Sept%202015_FINAL.pdf Shelf Number: 139886 Keywords: Criminal NetworksGoldNatural ResourcesOilOrganized CrimeTheft of Natural Resources |
Author: Rettberg, Angelika Title: Golden Opportunity, or a New Twist on the Resource-Conflict Relationship: Links between the Drug Trade and Illegal Gold Mining in Colombia Summary: Resource wars face greater difficulties to end conflict, as well as greater probabilities of relapse. In part, this is due to the persistence of resource-fueled criminal networks developed under the auspices of armed conflict. In this paper we focus on the Colombian armed conflict, one of the longest-lasting conflicts in the world. Recent evidence suggests that gold mining in Colombia has been permeated by illegal organizations linked to the drug trade, driving armed conflict and criminality. This reveals that attention to drugs alone as a conflict resource in this particular case has overshadowed the degree to which legal resources and economic activities have been permeated by illegal organizations and interests. This paper provides a framework of the gold-drugs relationship, which reveals the existence of resource portfolios, or the parallel participation and exchangeability of resources in the provision of funding for illegal organizations. We argue that, in addition to the impact of each resource on armed conflict and criminality, illegal organizations develop abilities to extract benefits of different resources at once or interchangeably (a resource portfolio), which should be taken into account when analyzing the consequences of war on countries' social and economic institutions. In addition, political or reputational factors have been insufficiently considered in analyzing groups' decisions to engage in or abandon specific economic activities. We show that, along with expectations of revenue, resource portfolios may also respond to political conditions, as illegal organizations accustomed to deriving income from coercive practices such as kidnappings - until recently a widespread phenomenon in Colombia - have caused increasing international and domestic outrage followed by pressure to stop this brutal violation of Human Rights. Based on field research in gold mining Colombian regions - combining more than seventy semi-structured interviews with first-hand observation during field trips - and a careful review of press, non-governmental organizations' and official reports in local, regional and national media, the paper provides a general framework of this complex relationship, paying specific attention to the evolution of the links and interchangeable nature of gold and drugs as conflict resources throughout the production phases of the gold extraction process. At a time when Colombia's ongoing peace process is likely to put an end to the armed confrontation between guerrilla groups and the Colombian state, our paper raises a warning sign for scholars and policymakers to consider the potential transformations of illicit markets and their role in shaping the prospects of durable peace. Details: World Development, 2016. 57p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 29, 2016 at: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2719686 Year: 2016 Country: Colombia URL: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2719686 Shelf Number: 139891 Keywords: ColombiaGold MiningIllicit DrugsNatural Resources |
Author: James, Laura M. Title: Fields of Control: Oil and (In)security in Sudan and South Sudan Summary: Oil and security in Sudan and South Sudan are, in the words of one former oil minister, 'two faces of the same coin'. At the international, regional, national, state, and community levels, it is possible to trace how oil exploration, extraction, and exploitation have contributed to insecurity, both directly and indirectly. More rarely, these activities have temporarily improved security, often through patronage or subornation. At the same time, security levels have an impact on oil production, as fighting provokes shutdowns or, more subtly, deters future investment. This Working Paper reviews the historical linkages between oil and security in Sudan and South Sudan, and provides an overview of the key actors in the sector. After considering the security impact of the political and economic dimensions of oil production, it examines the more direct relationship between oil and violence, assessing the current situation within and between the two states as well as at the local community level as of mid-2015. It then identifies the similarities and differences between the Sudanese and South Sudanese oil ministries' approaches to human security, and the impact of the current civil conflict. The key conclusions are: - The oil-conflict nexus is widely acknowledged as a global phenomenon, yet in Sudan and South Sudan, it has been intensified by an accident of history and geography: the location of most of the oilfields along the volatile former colonial border between the two countries. - Under recent peace agreements, the Sudanese and South Sudanese governments have to some extent harnessed the oil industry to promote security between the two countries, based on the common interest established by South Sudan's possession of most of the oil and Sudan's control of the export infrastructure. At a subnational level, however, oil, patronage, insecurity, and civil conflict remain closely bound together. - Barring major new discoveries in the future, oil production in Sudan and South Sudan has probably already peaked. The economic and political adjustments to declining revenue, some of which have already begun, could further boost insecurity in both countries. - The oilfields have been an important prize in the civil conflict that broke out in South Sudan in December 2013. While the rebels have not captured the oilfields, their activities have significantly diminished the government's cash flow. The violence was initially exacerbated by oil-linked community discontent in Unity and Upper Nile states. The ongoing fighting has also further contributed to environmental degradation and poor community relations in the oil areas. - There are rumblings of ongoing community discontent in Sudan, particularly among Missiriya groups, which have been responsible for pervasive low-level insecurity that has been hindering oil operations. The government has made partial efforts to address this, and has thus far succeeded in limiting the unrest, but not in eliminating the underlying causes. - Since late 2013, relations between Sudan and South Sudan have been unusually cooperative, based on a common interest in keeping the oil flowing. This rapprochement remains vulnerable, however, not only to potential economic pressures and new disputes when the oil agreement expires at the end of 2016, but also to cross-border aspects of ongoing civil strife in both countries, combined with local tensions. - Sudan's poor management of the oil sector has led to corruption, over-centralization, and environmental degradation, causing serious grievances among the local communities. This dynamic has to some extent been mirrored in the new state of South Sudan. While Sudan's efforts at improvement remain largely nominal, South Sudan has managed to put in place strong legislation in line with international best practices. There has been no effective implementation, however, and the prospect of progress receded when the civil conflict began. The bulk of the research for this paper was carried out in January-April 2014, with further work conducted in April and October 2015. Given the lack of transparency in much of the oil sector in Sudan and South Sudan, this research is based on cross-referencing of the widest possible range of sources. These include not only official publications and unpublished internal reports, but also interviews with policy-makers, advisers, and officials. Due to poor security conditions, the author was not able to visit the oil areas and interview community members directly; however, she drew on secondary sources to ensure that their voices informed the analysis. Details: Geneva, SWIT: Small Arms Survey, 2015. 72p. Source: Internet Resource; HSBA Working Paper 40: Accessed July 29, 2016 at: http://www.smallarmssurveysudan.org/fileadmin/docs/working-papers/HSBA-WP40-Oil.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Sudan URL: http://www.smallarmssurveysudan.org/fileadmin/docs/working-papers/HSBA-WP40-Oil.pdf Shelf Number: 139897 Keywords: Natural ResourcesOilOil Conflict |
Author: Verite Title: The Nexus of Illegal Gold Mining and Human Trafficking in Global Supply Chains: Lessons from Latin America Summary: Research carried out by Verite has found that Latin American countries export staggering amounts of illegally mined gold tied to human trafficking. This presents legal and reputational risks for major companies with gold in their supply chains. The paper, The Nexus of Illegal Gold Mining and Human Trafficking in Global Supply Chains, provides analysis of the risk of labor trafficking linked to illegal gold mining in Latin America, drawing upon in-depth field research carried out by Verite in Peru in 2012-2013 and in Colombia in 2015, and desk research carried out across the Latin American region. The diminishing supply and increasing demand for gold, combined with criminal and armed groups' quest for new sources of illicit revenue, have contributed to a surge in illegal extraction of gold from increasingly remote and lawless regions. Latin America is a vitally important player in the global gold trade, contributing 20 percent of the world's gold production in 2013. Latin American countries, along with Canada (which is a major conduit for Latin American gold), constitute all top ten exporters of gold to the United States. In several Latin American countries, unregulated illegal and informal mines account for over 75 percent of gold produced. In Peru and Colombia-the two largest cocaine producers in the world-the value of illegal gold exports has in recent years surpassed the value of cocaine exports, becoming the largest illicit export from these two countries. In Latin America, and elsewhere in the world, illegally mined gold is strongly linked to human trafficking and other labor abuses as these mines are usually located in areas with a weak presence of government authorities and a strong presence of armed and criminal groups. Verite's in-depth research in Peru found many other indicators of forced labor in illegal gold mining, all of which increase the risk of human trafficking. In Colombia, both men and women were found to be vulnerable to labor trafficking in mines controlled by armed and criminal groups. Small-scale artisanal miners, who should in no way be confused with the groups that control illegal mines, are also increasingly vulnerable to becoming victims of debt bondage, both because they are extorted by these groups and because some governments treat them as criminals rather than as potential victims. In addition, illegal gold mining is closely associated with child labor, severe threats to workers' health and safety, and sex trafficking. Child labor - including forced child labor-is common in illegal gold mining. While children are generally employed in peripheral services such as tire and motorcycle repair and stores, teenagers are employed in many of the most dangerous jobs in illegal gold mines, such as swimming in mercury-filled pools of water to suck up gold-laced sand with powerful hoses, risking drowning and being disemboweled by the powerful hoses. Workers also face mine collapses and explosions, repetitive tasks, heavy work, and exposure to extreme heat, dust, noise, tropical illnesses, and mercury and cyanide. Verite field research found that sex trafficking, including of girls as young as 12, is extremely pervasive in illegal mining areas. Illegally mined gold is "laundered" and exported, with the help of corrupt government officials, to prominent refineries, which supply some of the biggest central banks, jewelry companies, and electronics producers in the world. In contrast to other goods produced by organized criminal groups such as cocaine or heroin, illegally mined gold can easily be laundered, after which it becomes a legitimate consumer commodity that moves easily and legally across international borders. The ubiquity of illegally-mined gold and the lack of transparency upstream of most gold refineries means that companies buying gold from major refineries are often at risk of illegally mined gold entering their supply chains. A Verite analysis of Dodd-Frank Act compliance records found that 72 of the Fortune 500 companies filed conflict mineral reports during 2015 listing the smelters and refineries from which they obtained their gold the previous year. Verite found that approximately 90 percent of these companies purchased gold from refineries that have demonstrated a pattern of purchasing illegally mined gold from Latin America. Companies that source illegally produced gold from Latin America face severe reputational and legal risks, including potential liability under a number of statutes covering company complicity in trafficking in persons, forced and child labor, organized crime, corruption, and conflict minerals. Some of these statutes stipulating steep fines for companies and even long jail sentences for their executives. Combatting illegal gold mining and the human and labor rights abuses that accompany it requires a coordinated, multi-pronged approach by the governments of gold producing countries, as well as the countries and companies that import gold. While some Latin American governments have recently stepped up efforts to prosecute individuals and companies that illegally extract and export gold, the governments of gold importing countries have thus far done relatively little to hold accountable the companies that import this gold, although they have the tools and mandate to do so. Companies must also take steps to ensure that they are not responsible for perpetuating organized crime, violence, corruption, and human trafficking by purchasing, directly or indirectly, illegally mined gold from Latin America. Details: Amherst, MA: Verite, 2016. 17p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 30, 2016 at: http://www.verite.org/sites/default/files/Verite-Report-Illegal_Gold_Mining.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Latin America URL: http://www.verite.org/sites/default/files/Verite-Report-Illegal_Gold_Mining.pdf Shelf Number: 140083 Keywords: Child LaborConflict MineralsForced LaborGold Mining Human TraffickingNatural ResourcesOrganized CrimeSupply Chains |
Author: Maehler, Annegret Title: Oil in Venezuela: Triggering Violence on Ensuring Stability? A Context-Sensitive Analysis of the Ambivalent Impact of Resource Abundance Summary: This paper studies the causal factors that make the oil-state Venezuela, which is generally characterized by a low level of violence, an outlier among the oil countries as a whole. It applies a newly elaborated "context approach" that systematically considers domestic and international contextual factors. To test the results of the systematic analysis, two periods with a moderate increase in internal violence in Venezuela are subsequently analyzed, in the second part of the paper, from a comparative-historical perspective. The findings demonstrate that oil, in interaction with fluctuating non-resource-specific contextual conditions, has had ambiguous effects: On the one hand, oil has explicitly served as a conflict-reducing and partly democracy-promoting factor, principally through large-scale socioeconomic redistribution, widespread clientelistic structures, and corruption. On the other hand, oil has triggered violence - primarily through socioeconomic causal mechanisms (central keywords: decline of oil abundance and resource management) and secondarily through the long-term degradation of political institutions. While clientelism and corruption initially had a stabilizing effect, in the long run they exacerbated the delegitimization of the traditional political elite. Another crucial finding is that the impact and relative importance of oil with respect to the increase in violence seems to vary significantly depending on the specific subtype of violence. Details: Hamburg, Germany: German Institute of Global and Area Studies (GIGA), 2009. 43p. Source: Internet Resource: GIGA Working Paper, No. 112: Accessed August 30, 2016 at: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1534618 Year: 2009 Country: Venezuela URL: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1534618 Shelf Number: 140096 Keywords: Natural ResourcesOilPolitical CorruptionSocioeconomic Conditions and CrimeViolence |
Author: Maehler, Annegret Title: Nigeria: A Prime Example of the Resource Curse? Revisiting the Oil-Violence Link in the Niger Delta Summary: This paper studies the oil]violence link in the Niger Delta, systematically taking into consideration domestic and international contextual factors. The case study, which focuses on explaining the increase in violence since the second half of the 1990s, confirms the differentiated interplay of resource]specific and non]resource]specific causal factors. With regard to the key contextual conditions responsible for violence, the results underline the basic relevance of cultural cleavages and political]institutional and socioeconomic weakness that existed even before the beginning of the "oil era." Oil has indirectly boosted the risk of violent conflicts through a further distortion of the national economy. Moreover, the transition to democratic rule in 1999 decisively increased the opportunities for violent struggle, in a twofold manner: firstly, through the easing of political repression and, secondly, through the spread of armed youth groups, which have been fostered by corrupt politicians. These incidents imply that violence in the Niger Delta is increasingly driven by the autonomous dynamics of an economy of violence: the involvement of security forces, politicians and (international) businessmen in illegal oil theft helps to explain the perpetuation of the violent conflicts at a low level of intensity. Details: Hamburg, Germany: German Institute of Global and Area Studies (GIGA), 2010. 38p. Source: Internet Resource: GIGA Working paper No. 120: Accessed August 30, 2016 at: https://www.giga-hamburg.de/en/system/files/publications/wp120_maehler.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Nigeria URL: https://www.giga-hamburg.de/en/system/files/publications/wp120_maehler.pdf Shelf Number: 140097 Keywords: Natural ResourcesOilOil TheftPolitical CorruptionViolence |
Author: Aulby, Hannah Title: Greasing the Wheels: The systemic weaknesses that allow undue influence by mining companies on government a QLD case study Summary: Between 2010 and 2015 the Liberal Party of Australia and the Queensland Liberal National Party accepted over 2 million dollars in political donations from mining companies seeking approval for six highly controversial mining projects in Queensland. While these companies sought approval and legislative changes primarily from the then Liberal National Party Queensland Government, most of the money donated by these companies went to the Liberal Party of Australia. The Queensland Liberal National Party accepted $308,000 dollars from companies associated with these projects, while the Liberal Party of Australia accepted $1.75 million. Although we know that over $3 million dollars was transferred from the Liberal Party of Australia to the Queensland Liberal National Party over this period, a lack of disclosure and transparency makes it impossible to discern the origin of these donations. At least one of the companies examined in this report made a substantial donation to the highly controversial Free Enterprise Foundation, the opaque Federal Liberal Party fundraising body that came under the scrutiny of the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption ICAC for allegedly concealing the origin of illegal political donations to the New South Wales Liberal Party. These mining projects all gained extraordinary access to government ministers and extraordinary outcomes. These outcomes included legislative changes to remove environmental protections, federal and state government approval of projects despite serious environmental concerns, and even retrospective approval of illegal mining activities. The commendable commitment by the Queensland government to institute real time disclosure of political donations can easily be circumvented if donations are be made to federal political parties who then transfer the money back to the state branches without disclosing the origin on those donations. Political donations are the tip of the iceberg of mining industry influence on our democratic process. As well as political donations, this report documents the influence of the mining industry through cash for access schemes, third party fundraising vehicles, private meetings, lobbyists, gifts and the revolving door between the government, bureaucracy and the mining companies they are responsible for regulating. It also highlights the extraordinary lack of transparency in lobbying, with very few lobbyist in Queensland even covered by the lobbying register. Details: Canberra: Australia Institute, 2016. 57p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 2, 2016 at: http://www.tai.org.au/sites/defualt/files/P266%20Greasing%20the%20Wheels%20160726_0.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Australia URL: http://www.tai.org.au/sites/defualt/files/P266%20Greasing%20the%20Wheels%20160726_0.pdf Shelf Number: 140125 Keywords: Fraud and CorruptionMining CompaniesNatural ResourcesOffenses Against the EnvironmentPolitical Corruption |
Author: Forest Trends Title: European Trade Flows and Risk Summary: Illegal logging, as defined in the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR), is the harvesting of timber in contravention of the laws and regulations of the country of harvest. Illegal logging is a global epidemic with significant negative economic, environmental and social impacts. Recent studies indicate that illegal logging accounts for 50-90 percent of the volume of all timber production in key producer tropical countries in the Amazon Basin, Central Africa, and Southeast Asia, and 15-30 per cent globally. In economic terms illegal logging results in lost revenues from taxes and other duties that could be used by producer countries for sustainable development purposes and other benefits. In environmental terms illegal logging is associated with deforestation, water pollution, spread of disease, climate change and a loss of biodiversity due to habitat destruction. In social terms illegal logging can be linked to conflicts over land and other resources, the disempowerment of local and indigenous communities, the loss of lives and livelihoods, human rights violations, corruption, and armed conflicts. Illegal logging also undermines international security, supports organized crime and money laundering activities, and leads to unfair competition in the marketplace that negatively impacts the sincere efforts of responsible operators in Europe and other regions of the world to comply with the law. Details: Washington, DC: Forest Friends, 2013. 28p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 17, 2016 at: http://forest-trends.org/documents/files/doc_4085.pdf Year: 2013 Country: Europe URL: http://forest-trends.org/documents/files/doc_4085.pdf Shelf Number: 140329 Keywords: DeforestationForestsIllegal LoggingMoney LaunderingNatural ResourcesOffenses Against the EnvironmentOrganized Crime |
Author: Schipper, Irene Title: No Golden Future: Use of child labour in gold mining in Uganda Summary: Child labour is a significant social and economic problem in Uganda. The combination of an extremely young population, large numbers of vulnerable children and orphans, high levels of child poverty and a failing education system has pushed 51 per cent of all children aged between 5 and 17 into work. Across the country, more than one in four children (26 per cent) are defined as child labourers. A large number of children work in Ugandas gold mines. Researchers working on this report estimate that there are about 50,000 artisanal gold miners in Uganda roughly 20 to 30 per cent of these are children. These estimates mean that 10,000 to 15,000 children are working alongside adults as artisanal gold miners. Part of these children still attend primary school periodically, as well as working in the mines. However, the research shows that very few of the children go on to secondary school. Researchers found that school-going children work during the school holidays andat the weekends, while the children that have already dropped out of school work on the mining sites throughout the year. The field study for this report took place during the school holidays. Researchers visited three mining sites in the Mubende District of Uganda. They observed that 70 to 80 per cent of the workers in the area where gold is washed (or panned) were children. In total the researchers saw around 1,000 to 1,200 children working on the three visited sites. They interviewed 52 children aged between 7 and 17 - 20 per cent of these interviewees was working full time and not attending school. Details: Amsterdam: Stichting Onderzoek Multinationale Ondernemingen (SOMO), Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations, 2016. 60p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 19, 2016 at: https://www.somo.nl/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/No-golden-future-7.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Uganda URL: https://www.somo.nl/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/No-golden-future-7.pdf Shelf Number: 140349 Keywords: Child Labor Child Protection Gold Mining Illegal Mining Natural Resources |
Author: de Koning, Ruben Title: Striking Gold: How M23 and its Allies are Infiltrating Congo's Gold Trade Summary: The M23 rebel group has taken over a profitable part of the conflict gold trade in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, or DRC. It is using revenues from the illicit trade to benefit its leaders and supporters and fund its military campaign by building military alliances and networks with other armed groups that control territory around gold mines and by smuggling gold through Uganda and Burundi. M23 commander Sultani Makenga, who is also allegedly one of the rebels' main recruiters of child soldiers according to the U.N. Group of Experts on Congo, is at the center of the conflict gold efforts. This report documents how Makenga and his former co-commander Bosco Ntaganda have led the M23 rebels to work with local armed groups in gold-rich territories to smuggle gold to Uganda via an M23-controlled border crossing, as well as to Burundi, where it is sold internationally. Much of this conflict gold then reaches markets in the United Arab Emirates, or UAE, before going on to banks and jewelers, which together make up 80 percent of global gold demand. Gold is now the most important conflict mineral in eastern Congo, with at least 12 tons worth roughly $500 million smuggled out of the east every year. The other main sources of revenue for armed groups - the "3T minerals" of tin, tungsten, and tantalum - have been steadily reduced due to global conflict-minerals reforms spurred by the U.S. Dodd-Frank financial regulation law, but it is still relatively easy to smuggle gold. Limiting gold smuggling from eastern Congo must therefore become a priority for the international community. M23 commander Makenga is taking over a gold-smuggling network that former cocommander Bosco Ntaganda built over several years. As military leader of the rebel National Congress for the Defense of the People, or CNDP, a forerunner of M23, Ntaganda in 2011 reportedly brokered several multimillion-dollar gold deals in Goma, DRC; Kampala, Uganda; and Nairobi, Kenya, between Congolese traders and overseas buyers. In 2012, Ntaganda led the newly created M23 as it broke away from the Congolese army, in which its troops had been integrated as part of a peace deal. During his time with M23 and in the shadow of the peace talks in Kampala between Congo's government and the M23, Ntaganda facilitated the transfer of an estimated 325 kilos of gold worth $15 million to Kampala for sale, according to the U.N. experts. Ntaganda admitted to the U.N. experts that he played a role in one deal in 2011 in Goma, but he never commented on his role in other deals he allegedly brokered. In March 2013, Ntaganda surrendered to the U.S. Embassy in Rwanda, where he requested to transfer to the International Criminal Court, or ICC, to face charges of war crimes. Since then, Enough Project's investigations with gold-trade insiders, Congolese civil and military authorities, and members of the Congolese diaspora communities in Kampala and Bujumbura show that Makenga is taking over Ntaganda's relationships with smugglers in Uganda. Makenga has also mobilized several other military and business players loyal to former CNDP leader Laurent Nkunda to create a business network entirely separate from Ntaganda, according to Enough Project investigations. To capture a greater share of the gold trade, M23 has built alliances with individuals and armed groups that control large mines in eastern Congo. These include Sheka Ntabo Ntaberi of the Nduma Defence of Congo, or NDC, armed group in Walikale territory of eastern Congo - the alleged mastermind of the mass rape of more than 300 women, children, and men at Luvungi in 2010. M23 has built ties with Justin Banaloki - whose alias is "Cobra Matata" - the armed leader who is based in Ituri District and was highlighted in the October 2013 National Geographic. M23 is also associated with Congolese army defector and militia leader Maj. Hilaire Kombi in Beni and Lubero territories, according to U.N. experts and Enough Project research. Traversing otherwise hostile ethnic and political divisions, these alliances are based partially on economic gain. Many of those who reap the greatest profits are also those most directly implicated in atrocities and crimes against humanity. On the basis of recent Enough Project investigations and past research by the U.N. Group of Experts, this report identifies three main gold exporters that the Enough Project believes are enabling M23 and associated armed groups to profit from the gold trade by either running or using official gold export companies in Uganda and Burund - all of which is in violation of the U.N. arms embargo: - Rajendra "Raju" Kumar, who currently trades through Mineral Impex Uganda and formerly ran Machanga, Ltd. - Mutoka Ruganyira, who currently operates through Ntahangwa Mining in Burundi and formerly ran Berkenrode - Madadali Sultanali Pirani, who currently runs Silver Minerals in Uganda Additionally, a major Congolese exporter has reportedly been trading gold from mines controlled by the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, or FDLR, and other armed groups for several years, according to several U.N. Groups of Experts: - Evariste Shamamba, who currently runs Etablissement Namukaya and New CongoCom Airlines16 The international community has done very little to combat the sale of conflict gold effectively. None of the above-mentioned individuals, or the companies they currently run, face U.N., U.S., or E.U. sanctions. The only international sanctions against conflict gold companies were enacted in 2007, but the owners of the sanctioned companies immediately set up new gold-exporting businesses under different corporate names. Sanctions against the four exporters would make an important dent in the conflict gold trade, since they control a significant portion of the illicit trade. Gold exporters generally claim to purchase their gold either domestically or in countries that are not under a U.N. arms embargo. The fact that a significant part of conflict gold trade enters the formal worldwide gold trade shows an urgent need to levy targeted international sanctions on the individual exporters - the beneficial owners of these businesses - who are complicit. In order to conduct and facilitate due diligence following guidelines established by the United Nations and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, or OECD, the international community should intensify pressure on companies, company owners, and their host governments that are importing and refining gold from the region. While such sanctions are important to bring the illicit gold trade under control and further reduce sources of revenue for armed groups, the agony of eastern Congo will ultimately end when the key parties - Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda - reach a just, comprehensive peace agreement. The best hope for that is the process led by U.N. Special Envoy Mary Robinson, following the Peace, Security, and Cooperation Framework signed earlier this year. Details: Enough Project, 2013. 21p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 19, 2016 at: http://www.enoughproject.org/files/StrikingGold-M23-and-Allies-Infiltrating-Congo-Gold-Trade.pdf Year: 2013 Country: Congo, Democratic Republic URL: http://www.enoughproject.org/files/StrikingGold-M23-and-Allies-Infiltrating-Congo-Gold-Trade.pdf Shelf Number: 140353 Keywords: Conflict MineralsGold MiningGold SmugglingIllegal TradeIllicit TradeNatural ResourcesSmuggling |
Author: Parry-Jones, Rob Title: All That Glitters is Not Gold: Dubai, Congo, and the Illicit Trade of Conflict Minerals Summary: Gold is considered to be a 'conflict mineral'. In the DRC gold and diamond trade were tainted by conflict financing, tax evasion, corruption and smuggling. This resulted in the illegal trade of gold, huge financial losses for the DRC and violent conflict. This report therefore focuses on the DRC as it is the second biggest diamond producing country by volume. The illicit trade of conflict minerals has led to the involvement of trading centres in UAE and this report explains how Dubai came to play a central role in this trade and the way it has managed to attract an ever-increasing proportion of the worldwide gold and rough diamonds trade. Details: Ottawa: Partnership Africa Canada, 2014. 27p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 19, 2016 at: http://dspace.africaportal.org/jspui/bitstream/123456789/34455/1/All%20That%20Glitters.pdf?1 Year: 2014 Country: Africa URL: http://dspace.africaportal.org/jspui/bitstream/123456789/34455/1/All%20That%20Glitters.pdf?1 Shelf Number: 140354 Keywords: Conflict Minerals Diamonds Gold Mining Illegal Trade Illicit Trade Natural Resources |
Author: Southern Africa Resource Watch Title: Congo's Golden Web: The People, Companies and Countries that Profit from the Illegal Trade in Congolese Gold Summary: In 2011, the Southern Africa Resource Watch (SARW) launched a regional monitoring and research project to assess the physical, social and economic security risks - as well as the socio-economic, humanitarian and commercial conditions - faced by gold mining communities in the provinces of North and South Kivu, Maniema and Orientale in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Two previous reports - From Conflict Gold to Criminal Gold (2012) and The High Cost of Congo's Gold (2013) - included detailed research and analysis on the changing nature of the gold industry in eastern Congo and its negative impact on miners, their families and communities. This report completes the ground breaking series by describing all aspects of the commercialization of Congolese gold - including gold that is produced by industrial, semi-industrial and artisanal mining operations, and gold that is traded and refined by small merchants, well-capitalised trading groups and powerful refineries. SARW initiated this research project at a time when Congo's mining environment was improving, propelled by a number of exceptional conditions, including a gold super cycle, which saw prices on world markets rise to over US$1950 per ounce in 2011 and 2012; the establishment of peace in most major gold mining regions in eastern Congo; and the restructuring of government agencies mandated to support gold mining and trading. However, in April 2013, while this report was being drafted, the gold price declined precipitously, eroding profit margins for all gold mining activities and disrupting the global gold production industry. The challenge faced by the DRC government to maximize benefits from the nation's gold resources has now become harder. Nevertheless, progress is visible with the inauguration of industrial gold production at Banro's Twangiza mine and at the Kibali project managed by Randgold Resources. Despite these positive developments, international investors in gold projects in Congo remain cautious due to its problematic political risk profile. This SARW report highlights issues that are most detrimental to the Congo's reputation and to the ability of the Congolese to benefit from their significant gold endowments, including: Widespread corruption at all levels of the Congolese government, which is a major enabler of activities that are either outrightly criminal or in violation of existing regulations governing industrial, small scale and artisanal gold extraction and trade; The illegal trade and exportation of gold, which accounts for most of the gold extracted by Congo's hundreds of semi industrial and hundred of thousands of artisanal miners - with traders not paying the appropriate fees and taxes, exporting gold without the required certification and payment of export duties, or only paying duties on a small portion of their total turn over by significantly underreporting the true scale of their gold trading; Routine contravention of their licences by semi industrial and industrial permit holders, which delay significant investments that they are contractually obliged to make so as to boost their stock market performance by inflating their gold reserve portfolio, which can be divested whenever the need arises; Aiding and abetting the smuggling and illegal trading of Congo's gold by neighbouring countries, specifically Burundi and Uganda, which continue to pretend that their actions have no impact on DRC's illegal gold trade, while their economies benefit; and The inadequacy of existing international and multilateral instruments, including UN sanctions, ICGLR protocols, OECD guidelines and other multi stakeholder initiatives, which have failed to encourage the necessary international collabouration to stop the criminal networks that are trading Congo's gold. Even where compelling evidence exists that trading and refining companies are implicated in the illegal trade of Congo's gold, no meaningful interventions or investigations occur - a grievous betrayal of various states' commitments under current UN sanctions and other international treaties. Details: Rosebank, South Africa: Southern Africa Resource Watch, 2014. 88p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 19, 2016 at: http://www.sarwatch.org/sites/sarwatch.org/files/Publications_docs/congogold3web.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Congo, Democratic Republic URL: http://www.sarwatch.org/sites/sarwatch.org/files/Publications_docs/congogold3web.pdf Shelf Number: 140359 Keywords: Gold MiningIllegal TradeIllicit TradeNatural ResourcesPolitical Corruption |
Author: Southern Africa Resource Watch Title: The High Cost of Congolese Gold: Poverty, Abuse and the Collapse of Family and Community Structures Summary: In its first ground breaking research report into artisanal gold mining in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Southern Africa Resource Watch (SARW) demonstrated how the industry had been transformed in recent years - moving from Conflict Gold to Criminal Gold. Based on unprecedented research in communities in the four main gold producing provinces (North-Kivu, South-Kivu, Maniema and Oriental), the report concluded that artisanal miners were now being preyed upon by a host of state bureaucrats, officials and security officers rather than warlords and militias - and that they were, in many cases, even worse off than before. In this second report, The High Cost of Congolese Gold: Poverty, Abuse and the Collapse of Family and Community Structures, SARW focuses on the lives of the miners and their families - highlighting how hundreds of thousands of people live in grinding poverty in the midst of the richest mineral resources in the DRC, as corrupt political, military, commercial and traditional elites syphon off most of the funds that should be fuelling socio-economic growth and development. With an estimated 30 million ounces of gold reserves in eastern DRC, mining communities should be thriving but instead they are being torn apart by poverty, abuse, alcoholism and violence, which are destroying community and family structures and leaving many people in a perpetual state of near-starvation. In this environment, the most vulnerable - particularly women and girls - suffer daily violence, exploitation, neglect and abuse. From the hundreds of interviews with women, girls and boys that SARW researchers conducted during ten months in the field, some key facts emerged: Most women, including married mothers, have to struggle on their own for survival. Many are forced to fend for themselves from far too early in life and often end up married and pregnant long before reaching full maturity. Large numbers are victims of sexual, physical and mental abuse. Many are abandoned by their husbands or forced to accept bigamous relationships. Few girls complete their education; When boys reach the age of 10-12, they are usually expected to fend for themselves, especially as their parents are often too poor to continue caring for them. This forces them to start working on gold mining sites rather than staying in school. Many boys assist in the washing of gold ore, while stronger boys can find work as carriers or even as diggers. However, the majority just scrounge for gold dust in tailings, or in abandoned or inactive mining sites; and The traditional and tribal governance and mediation mechanisms have broken down. Traditional leaders, known as Bwami are now often merely another elite that preys on the artisanal community. Women and girls very rarely seek help or redress from them since they expect that they will not receive assistance but merely become the victims of more corrupt demands - the same reason why they seldom seek redress through the formal judicial system. If women do seek non-family interventions, it is usually from the councils of wise men that still appear to function in most communities. The SARW researchers also discovered devastating levels of tension and friction between gold mining husbands and their wives. The key disagreement concerns the question of whether gold mining is a valid livelihood. Most men are not interested in considering this question, preferring to enjoy the financial windfalls they receive on the rare occasions that they manage to find some gold. However, the overwhelming majority of women offer well-founded social, economic, health and security reasons why their husbands should abandon gold mining altogether. And the situation is only likely to get worse. Many artisanal miners are hoping to obtain employment with one of the international mining communities that are now gearing up to start industrial gold production in eastern DRC. However, industrial mining requires less manpower. In addition, most artisanal miners lack marketable skills and exhibit very poor work habits. For these reasons, a very large percentage of the artisanal gold miners, who currently operate on territories that are licensed to international mining companies, are unlikely to gain permanent employment once industrial mining begins. In fact, artisanal miners and their families will increasingly be viewed as illegal squatters. Companies that are planning (and are legally obliged) to pump hundreds of millions of dollars into their mining operations will insist on unencumbered access to the gold deposits on their concessions. Consequently, artisanal miners will be pushed towards areas with deposits of lesser and lesser value - until they are eventually made to leave the concession areas altogether. Currently, the inevitability of this outcome is as certain as the lack of any preparations to mitigate it. Details: Rosebank, South Africa: SARW, 2013. 20p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 19, 2016 at: http://www.osisa.org/sites/default/files/high_cost_of_congolese_gold.pdf Year: 2013 Country: Congo, Democratic Republic URL: http://www.osisa.org/sites/default/files/high_cost_of_congolese_gold.pdf Shelf Number: 140361 Keywords: Conflict MineralsGold MiningNatural ResourcesSocio-Economic Conditions |
Author: Partnership Africa Canada Title: Contraband Gold in the Great Lakes Region: In-region Cross-border Gold Flows versus Out-region Smuggling Summary: This study examines the ASM gold sector in the ICGLR Region, analysing both its size and the extent to which ASM gold produced in the region is smuggled either across local borders or out the region completely. The study notes the extent to which cross-border movement of gold within the ICGLR region now pales in comparison to the volume of ASM gold that is smuggled out of the region and exported illegally, principally to the United Arab Emirates. This result should be of particular interest to governments of ICGLR nations, who have traditionally looked on the problem of contraband gold as a primarily DRC related issue. With its linkages to conflict financing, gold smuggling from the DRC remains perhaps the most acute problem. However, for the governments of all other producer nations in the IGCLR region the vast scale of ASM gold smuggling from the region represents a clear and pressing problem. At its most basic level, the smuggling of ASM gold deprives governments of the region of tax revenue - up to $22 million per year - desperately needed for development. Beyond the financial loss, the inability of IGGLR governments to control, tax and financially benefit from their ASM gold sectors has served to distort governance of the mineral sector in the ICGLR region. While the LSM sector provides relatively little employment in comparison to the ASM sector, governments in the ICGLR region give priority to LSM gold projects, in large measure because LSM projects provide actual tax revenue to state coffers. Regaining control of ASM gold exports would not only serve to curtail conflict in the DRC, but could also serve to rebalance government priorities in the gold mining sector. Alongside the LSM sector, the ASM sector could take its proper role as a significant generator of employment, and a moderate generator of tax revenue for African governments. At the other end of the chain, the study examined the role played of the United Arab Emirates (Dubai) in the commercialisation of illegally exported ASM gold from the ICGLR region. The study found that responsibility for the failure to effectively control ASM gold flows from the ICGLR region rested not only with the producing countries, but also with the actors in the major destination for ASM gold from the ICGLR Region, the United Arab Emirates. The study found few if any effective controls being implemented by the UAE at the purchasing level of the chain: customs and import controls are lax, buyers in the souk pay little attention to origin or legal provenance, refiners and banks do not have systems in place to assure the legal provenance of the gold they trade in. This collective failure at the purchasing level is all the more extraordinary, given that due diligence as defined by the OECD (and accepted by the UAE), is the responsibility not only of producer-state governments but of actors all along the supply chain; producers, intermediaries, traders, refiners, financers/bankers and end-users. If they truly want to remain compliant with due diligence as defined by the OECD, bankers, traders and governments at the purchasing level will have to begin being much more stringent in their KYC and documentation requirements for ASM gold and gold-related transactions. Finally, the study provides suggestions and potential solutions, both for producer states and for purchasing nations such as the UAE: technical measures that, if implemented, would significantly strengthen due diligence and reduce the volumes of ASM gold being smuggled out of the ICGLR region. Details: Ottawa: Partnership Africa Canada, 2015. 53p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 19, 2016 at: http://cosoc-gl.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/2015_05_Great_Lakes_Contraband_Gold.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Africa URL: http://cosoc-gl.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/2015_05_Great_Lakes_Contraband_Gold.pdf Shelf Number: 140362 Keywords: Gold MiningGold SmugglingIllegal TradeNatural Resources |
Author: Woods, Kevin Title: Baseline Study 5, Thailand: Overview of Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade Summary: Thailand diverges from neighboring regional Mekong countries, with a decade or more experience of actively pursuing policies to combat domestic illegal logging and internal transportation. The 1989 logging ban, and the rise of grassroots social movements organizing around large-scale plantations and community displacement, has meant that Thai forestry institutions have needed to become more responsive to environmental and social concerns. Forest cover decline in Thailand has generally been stabilized in the last few decades, and forests are even increasing in extent in some areas. Decentralization and community-based natural resource management is now a mainstream policy theme in the country, although tangible implementation has been uneven. In general, Thai state institutions have been responsive to local stakeholders and forest sector enterprises, in terms of developing a dynamic and effective policy framework based on a long-term vision that links forests, communities, conservation and economic development. These are welcome developments - the question is whether the reforms will be implemented equitably and effectively. Details: Washington, DC: Forest Trends, 2011. 66p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 20, 2016 at: http://www.forest-trends.org/documents/files/doc_3180.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Thailand URL: http://www.forest-trends.org/documents/files/doc_3180.pdf Shelf Number: 145608 Keywords: Forest Law EnforcementForestsIllegal LoggingNatural ResourcesOffenses Against the Environment |
Author: Brack, Duncan Title: Ending Global Deforestation: Policy Options for Consumer Countries Summary: Over the last decade, governments in timber-producing and timber-consuming countries have implemented a range of policies and measures aimed at improving forest governance and reducing illegal logging. One important category of measures has been attempts to exclude illegal (and sometimes unsustainable) timber products from international trade through the use of regulatory measures such as public procurement policy, licensing systems, and legal and company due diligence requirements. Yet illegal logging and the international trade in illegal timber is not the most important cause of deforestation. Clearance of forests (legal or illegal) for agriculture, often for export, is far more significant. The purpose of this report is to examine the potential applicability of the consumer-country measures used to exclude illegal timber to illegal or unsustainable agricultural products associated with deforestation: specifically, palm oil, soy, beef and leather and cocoa. The study primarily considers options open to the European Union (which is the main global importer of these commodities), but in principle they are open to other consumer-country governments too. Details: London: Chatham House; Washington, DC: Forest Trends, 2013. 89p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 20, 2016 at: https://www.chathamhouse.org/sites/files/chathamhouse/public/Research/Energy,%20Environment%20and%20Development/0913pr_deforestation.pdf Year: 2013 Country: International URL: https://www.chathamhouse.org/sites/files/chathamhouse/public/Research/Energy,%20Environment%20and%20Development/0913pr_deforestation.pdf Shelf Number: 145605 Keywords: DeforestationForestsIllegal LoggingIllegal ProductsNatural ResourcesOffenses Against the Environment |
Author: Woods, Kevin Title: Baseline Study 4, Myanmar Overview of Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade Summary: Myanmar remains one of the world's only countries with no prohibitions on log exports. The country provides much coveted teak and other hardwood logs to the region and beyond. Sawn wood, and to a lesser extent finished wood products, contribute a relatively small amount to Myanmar's total exports of wood products. As in the majority of Mekong countries, one of the most significant trends affecting forest lands in Myanmar relates to the considerable, and often times informal, foreign direct investments (FDI) in agribusiness plantations such as rubber, oil palm, timber plantation, cashew nut and other horticultural crops. FD are also being made in other resource sector developments, including hydropower and mineral extraction. These types of developments often require the clearing of natural forest areas and has led to land disputes with local communities. Details: Washington, DC: Forest Trends, 2011. 59p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 20, 2016 at: http://www.forest-trends.org/documents/files/doc_3159.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Burma URL: http://www.forest-trends.org/documents/files/doc_3159.pdf Shelf Number: 145609 Keywords: Forest Law Enforcement Forests Illegal Logging Natural Resources Offenses Against the Environment |
Author: Bromberg, Megan Title: Mapping the Illicit Mineral Trade: Identifying the Illicit Supply Chain for Diamonds, Gold, and Tantalum Across Contexts Summary: The illicit mineral trade is a global issue that affects all countries, as illicit or conflict minerals continue to unwittingly end up in our jewelry, phones, and laptops. Whether these minerals come from unregulated mines that use child labor and harm the environment, fund the insurgencies of armed groups, or are smuggled into neighboring countries by corrupt government officials, the illicit mineral trade is dependent on the exploitation of poverty and those who rely on the mining to survive. Details: Washington, DC: American University, 2016. 100p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 20, 2016 at: http://www.american.edu/sis/practica/upload/Mapping-the-Illicit-Mineral-Trade.pdf Year: 2016 Country: International URL: http://www.american.edu/sis/practica/upload/Mapping-the-Illicit-Mineral-Trade.pdf Shelf Number: 145610 Keywords: Conflict MineralsDiamondsGoldIllegal MiningIllicit MineralsIllicit TradeNatural Resources |
Author: Southward, Fiona Title: Diamonds in the Central African Republic Summary: Since May 2013 the Central African Republic has been suspended from the Kimberly Process (KP) - a measure maintained by the mechanism's annual plenary in Guangzhou, China, this November. The CAR's transitional authorities have been seeking at least a partial lifting of this export ban so that the country might benefit from the much needed revenues its diamonds can generate. However, the authorities in this beleaguered state have thus far failed to secure control over both the security situation and the country's diamond trade: a recent UN expert report estimates that the CAR has lost US$24 million worth of diamonds to smuggling since May 2013. Indeed, IPIS' own investigations - the findings of which are outlined in a report released end November 2014 have found that large tracts of diamond producing areas in eastern CAR remain under ex-Seleka control, with stones continuing to access international markets. This IPIS Insight will elaborate on IPIS' findings in its recent report, Mapping Conflict Motives: the Central African Republic - the latest in our conflict mapping series. It gives some insight into the modes of exploitation used by armed groups in the CAR to profit from diamonds and the role these stones have played in the complex and shifting dynamics that characterise the on-going crisis, both in the east and west of the country. It will then briefly consider the KP's role in this context. Details: Antwerpen: IPIS, 2014. 13p. Source: Internet Resource: IPIS Insights: Accessed September 24, 2016 at: http://ipisresearch.be/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/20141222_Insight_diamonds1.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Central African Republic URL: http://ipisresearch.be/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/20141222_Insight_diamonds1.pdf Shelf Number: 146111 Keywords: Conflict DiamondsDiamondsNatural Resources |
Author: SaveActMine Title: Coloured gemstones in eastern DRC: Tourmaline exploitation and trade in the Kivus Summary: Responsible sourcing efforts in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to date have focused predominantly on the so-called 3TG (tin, tungsten, tantalum and gold) sector. Nevertheless, the artisanal exploitation of other minerals including semi-precious gemstones, such as tourmaline, can also make notable contributions to local livelihoods. At the 9th OECD Forum in May 2015, rising tourmaline exploitation and trade in eastern DRC saw Congolese stakeholders, including SaveActMine (SAM), highlight the relevance of the DRC's coloured gemstone sector to responsible sourcing within the context of the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas. Following up on these observations, IPIS and SAM undertook a joint research mission in September 2015 to look into tourmaline exploitation and trade in the Kivus. This research confirmed that eastern DRC's tourmaline sector appears to be experiencing notable growth. Since 2012, a rise in gemstone prices has reportedly seen the sector attracting thousands of artisanal miners during boom periods in the Kivus alone. Tourmaline sites visited in the context of the present research in the south of Masisi territory (North Kivu) and around Numbi (Kalehe territory, South Kivu) experienced sizeable spikes in artisanal worker numbers in 2014 and 2015, with four out of five miners in the Numbi area reportedly engaged in tourmaline extraction. This has seen Numbi develop into a notable market for gemstone (specifically tourmaline) trading. Local authorities say that most locally registered traders deal in tourmaline. Here, stakeholders reported the potential for making considerable profits from high quality stones. Until recently, regulatory neglect and a lack of official trading counters for the purchase and export of gemstones from the DRC, had seen the Congolese coloured gemstone trade develop almost exclusively in the informal sector. As such, exploitation to date has overwhelmingly taken place illegally, with stones leaving the country illicitly for sale in neighbouring countries, such as Rwanda and Tanzania. Rising interest in the sector has now seen the licensing of exporters in coloured gemstones in both North and South Kivu. Growing interest in tourmaline indicates that the coloured gemstone sector may have the potential to contribute to job creation and economic development in eastern DRC. However, a burgeoning trade in lightweight, high value gemstones among artisanal miners and informal traders can also pose potential risks concerning conflict financing and human rights abuse. Research for this report came across accounts of predation by security actors occasioning forced labour, night exploitation and illegal taxation during at least one artisanal tourmaline mining spike, as well as claims of involvement of undisciplined public security forces in tourmaline exploitation and trade. Moreover, whilst much tourmaline mining in the Kivus is currently taking place in areas benefiting from improved general security, banditry remains problematic and non-state armed groups continue to operate in adjacent localities. The above factors suggest that tourmaline may no longer be a marginal issue when it comes to responsible mineral sourcing from eastern DRC. Indeed, research for this report also encountered claims that some mineral traders can declare minerals like cassiterite as low value tourmaline to evade tagging requirements and reduce tax payments. This raises questions about tourmaline's significance to ensuring the robust implementation of responsible sourcing for other minerals. IPIS/SAM research also highlighted a number of conditions potentially favourable to responsible souring from certain areas visited in the context of this study. These included improved local security conditions, the existence of validated and iTSCi monitored sites in the vicinity, and increased awareness of OECD due diligence requirements among stakeholders, including efforts to engage on issues of OECD compliance, amongst others. Details: Antwerp: IPIS, 2016. 62p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 24, 2016 at: http://ipisresearch.be/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/20160506_toumaline_eng.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Congo, Democratic Republic URL: http://ipisresearch.be/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/20160506_toumaline_eng.pdf Shelf Number: 146110 Keywords: Exploitation of MineralsIllegal MiningMineralsNatural Resources |
Author: Masse, Frederic Title: Due Diligence in Colombia's Gold Supply Chain Summary: The OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas (hereafter OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Minerals) provides detailed recommendations to help companies respect human rights and avoid contributing to conflict through their mineral purchasing decisions and practices. The Due Diligence Guidance is for use by any company potentially sourcing minerals or metals from conflict-affected and high-risk areas and is global in scope. Colombia adhered to the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Minerals in May 2012. To support implementation efforts by producing countries, the OECD commissioned a baseline assessment of the gold supply chain in Colombia. The aim of the baseline assessment is to analyse the gold mining sector in Colombia and the potential to build responsible mineral supply chains as defined in the Due Diligence Guidance for Minerals. The assessment should furthermore assess stakeholders' awareness of supply chain risks, the Due Diligence Guidance and the level of implementation - if any - of due diligence initiatives and related government initiatives that could be leveraged. The assessment should lead to strategic recommendations on how to advance responsible sourcing in the gold sector in a manner that makes a positive contribution to socioeconomic development of producer countries and communities. The following overview report is the first of a series of baseline assessment and aims to develop an initial approach and analysis for how risks outlined in Annex II of the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Minerals are relevant in the Colombian context. The research for this report was undertaken by independent experts in 2015 and is based on previous research, new analysis of secondary sources, and exploratory interviews with key stakeholders in the mining and security sectors in Colombia.3 This initial report will be complemented by five regional case studies (phase II) and a concluding report (phase III) assessing ongoing due diligence and traceability projects and outlining recommendations on how these can be leveraged, improved and scaled up. Details: Paris: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), 2016. 48p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 30, 2016 at: https://mneguidelines.oecd.org/Colombia-gold-supply-chain-overview.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Colombia URL: https://mneguidelines.oecd.org/Colombia-gold-supply-chain-overview.pdf Shelf Number: 140534 Keywords: Conflict MineralsGoldIllegal MiningNatural ResourcesOrganized CrimeSupply Chains |
Author: Adams, Adeola Title: Patterns and trend analysis of violence in oil production and oil distribution in Nigeria from 2006 to 2014 Summary: Most studies on oil-related violence in Nigeria have unwittingly concentrated research efforts on oil production in the Niger Delta region. An attempt is made in this paper to demonstrate that oil distribution contributes more to fatality than oil production in Nigeria. Using the Nigeria Watch database as the primary source of data, the paper asserts that although the aggregate death figures attributed to the oil sector are lower than cases like road accidents, crime, and political-cumreligious-motivated killing, the number of violent deaths recorded between June 2006 and May 2014 in relation to oil distribution is triple the number related to oil production. While oil distribution accounted for 4,575 deaths, oil production events led to about 1,550 deaths. In addition, oil distribution has more lethal impact on the country than oil distribution. Apart from Kebbi and Zamfara, all the states of the federation have witnessed at least one fatal incidence from oil distribution, whereas oil production cases occur mainly in Anambra, Rivers, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, and Imo. The reasons are not difficult to understand: oil production is restricted to a few states in the Niger Delta area, while oil distribution activities cover the whole nation. Moreover, oil production deals essentially with crude oil, which is less flammable than the highly inflammable refined products involved in oil distribution. And, of course, oil distribution has a strong link with road accidents, which are rated as one of the main contributors to fatalities in Nigeria. In the final analysis, to understand the pattern and dynamics of fatalities in the oil sector, more research efforts need to be devoted to oil distribution. Details: Chatillon Cedex, France: IFRA Nigeria, 2014. 29p. Source: Internet Resource: IFRA-Nigeria working papers series, n36L Accessed September 30, 2016 at: http://www.nigeriawatch.org/media/html/WP8AdamV4Final.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Nigeria URL: http://www.nigeriawatch.org/media/html/WP8AdamV4Final.pdf Shelf Number: 140535 Keywords: Natural ResourcesOil Industry Violence |
Author: Partnership Africa Canada Title: Reap What You Sow: Greed and Corruption in Zimbabwe's Marange Diamond Fields Summary: The Marange diamond fields of eastern Zimbabwe could be the country's salvation. Often described as the biggest diamond discovery of a generation, Marange has undoubtedly put Zimbabwe on the diamond map. Managed right, it could have been the transformational vehicle through which the country turns around its failing economic fortunes, while also serving as an example to other African countries blessed with mineral riches. But since its discovery in 2006, Marange's potential has been overshadowed by violence, smuggling, corruption, and most of all, lost opportunity. The chief custodian of Marange is Obert Mpofu, the country's Minister of Mines. For individuals or companies wanting to secure a mining concession to exploit a slice of Marange's riches, it is ostensibly Minister Mpofu that they need to convince of the merits of their application. After President Robert Mugabe, whose office is vested with the ultimate authority over the country's natural resources, Mpofu is in theory the gatekeeper and arbiter of everything to do with Marange. In practice, however, he has deferred many of these responsibilities to the country's military chiefs. His ministerial duties also require that he serve the public good and best interests of the Zimbabwean people by responsibly managing Marange. But on his watch, the world has seen perhaps the biggest single plunder of diamonds since Cecil Rhodes. Conservative estimates place the theft of Marange goods at almost $2 billion since 2008. Far from defending the best interests of Zimbabwe, Minister Mpofu has presided over a ministry that has awarded concessions to dubious individuals with no prior mining experience, often under very questionable terms or circumstances. Due diligence of miners has been an afterthought. As Minister he has solicited and approved applications from members of Zimbabwe's security forces, including those implicated in human rights abuses in Marange. There is little consistency in how concessions are awarded, other than to ensure the details of any deal are opaque and as far beyond the scrutiny of government ministers and the public as possible. The scale of illegality is mind blowing. One confidential geologist report cited by the August 2010 Kimberley Process Review Mission to Zimbabwe claimed "in excess of 10,000,000 carats have been removed by artisanal effort over the last three years" - an amount worth almost $600,000,000 at today's depressed prices. The Review Mission also estimated illegal mining at 60,000 carats a month, ranking the illicit Marange trade at between 7th and 10th in overall world diamond production. Hundreds of millions of dollars owed to Zimbabwe's Treasury have been lost in both illegal and legal trades. Determining the actual amount is impossible, but in February 2011 fiscal update the Finance Minister Tendai Biti complained US$300 million collected by Zimbabwean Minerals Development Corporation (ZMDC) and the Mineral Marketing Commission of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) - two parastatals under Mpofu's remit - had not arrived in state coffers. Details: Ottawa: Partnership Africa Canada, 2012, 36p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 8, 2016 at: http://www.pacweb.org/Documents/diamonds_KP/Reap_What_You_Sow-eng-Nov2012.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Zimbabwe URL: http://www.pacweb.org/Documents/diamonds_KP/Reap_What_You_Sow-eng-Nov2012.pdf Shelf Number: 145375 Keywords: CorruptionDiamondsEnvironmental CrimesIllegal MiningIllegal TradeNatural Resources |
Author: Sinovas, P. Title: Ecuador's Wildlife Trade Summary: This report provides a comprehensive overview of wildlife trade in Ecuador, focusing on the ten-year period 2004-2014. The exact time-frame of trade varies slightly depending on the different data sources used. The aim of this analysis is to provide a baseline of trade levels and trends in Ecuador, and to inform future trade management in the country in order to ensure that wildlife trade is legal, sustainable and traceable. Ecuador has one of the highest diversities of amphibian species in the world and has a high concentration of threatened species. The production of amphibians for the pet trade is an emerging market in Ecuador, with an average of around 500 live frogs being exported per year in recent years for the pet market, with approximately a third of them being CITES-listed species (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). The main species involved were Ceratophrys stolzmanni (Pacific Horned Frog) and Epipedobates anthonyi (Anthony's Poison-Arrow Frog), while the main destination countries of this trade were the United States of America, the Netherlands and Canada. In addition, Lithobates catesbeianus, (Bullfrog) a non-native species, was exported by Ecuador to the United States in volumes of over 400,000 per year for the food market. Approximately 9,000 tonnes of by-caught sharks are landed per year in Ecuador. Most of their meat is destined for the domestic market, while relatively small amounts are exported to the United States, Spain, Japan and other countries. Virtually all of the fins, amounting to a total of about 200 tonnes per year in recent years, are exported to mainland China and Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China (henceforth referred to as Hong Kong SAR). The main species captured are Alopias pelagicus (Pelagic Thresher), Prionace glauca (Blue Shark) and Carcharinus falciformis (Silky Shark). Captures also include two species listed in the CITES Appendices of the 16th Conference of the Parties (CoP16): Sphyrna lewini (Scalloped Hammerhead Shark) and S. zygaena (Smooth Hammerhead Shark), even if recent legislation limits the amount of bycatch that can be landed for these species. The ornamental fish trade often goes unreported and data are lacking on their taxonomic details and origins. Although trade data on ornamental fish is scarce, the United States reported the import of 1.3 million ornamental fish from Ecuador per year, largely recorded as unspecified tropical freshwater species, showing a declining trend over the ten years (2005-2014). Sea cucumber fishing started in the 1990's in the Galapagos Islands, with harvests and exports concentrating on Isostichopus fuscus (Brown Sea Cucumber). After being listed in Appendix III by Ecuador in 2003, the species was the top CITES-listed taxon in terms of number of individuals exported by Ecuador between 2005 and 2014, with over 1.5 million individuals shipped during that period. Virtually all exports were destined for China. However, trade has been banned in recent years as a result of population over-exploitation. Whilst domestic demand accounted for the majority of timber production by Ecuador between 2010 and 2014, the international trade was an important part of the market. Timber exports amounted to about 87,000 m3 per year on average between 2012 and 2014, with India being the main destination of timber exported by Ecuador and cultivated Tectona grandis (Teak) the main species. Ecuador's extremely diverse orchid flora was one of the most highly traded wildlife groups in Ecuador, averaging over 46,000 plants per year between 2004 and 2015. Almost all were artificially propagated and around three quarters reached Germany, the United States, Japan and Canada. Over 250 genera were reported in trade by Ecuador, with genera Masdevallia, Cattleya and Pleurothallis accounting for more than 25% of exports. Trade in Appendix I was dominated by Phragmipedium species. The wildlife trade in Ecuador has a minimum estimated value of US $35 million a year. Most of this value (US $29 million) is represented by the export of timber. Excluding these timber/processed wood commodities, shark exports were the next most valuable commodity, with an average of US $3.4 million per year. Forty CITES-listed species occurring in Ecuador showed noteworthy trends (high volume and/or sharp increase) in global exports of wild or ranched specimens in 2012. Birds were the group with the highest number of species showing noteworthy trends, with fourteen species meeting the selection criteria. Of these forty species, only three were reported in trade by Ecuador during the period 2003- 2012: Swietenia macrophylla (Big-leaf Mahogany), Cedrela odorata (Spanish Cedar) and Isostichopus fuscus (Brown Sea Cucumber). According to CITES, over 800 species native to Ecuador were reported in trade between 2004 and 2013, both as wild-sourced and captive-bred or artificially propagated. Two species which are thought to be endemic to Ecuador were traded as captive-bred and artificially propagated by countries that are not in their distribution range (non-range). The majority of these species are not utilized by Ecuador for international trade, and may represent an opportunity for the development of additional wildlife sustainable use systems in the country. Details: Quito, Ecuador: Ministry of Environment of Ecuador; Bonn: German Development Cooperation, 2015. 64p. Source: Internet Resource: English translation of the technical report prepared for the Ministry of the Environment of Ecuador and the German Development Cooperation (GIZ). UNEP-WCMC: Accessed October 11, 2016 at: https://www.unep-wcmc.org/system/comfy/cms/files/files/000/000/808/original/Ecuador%C2%B4s_wildlife_trade.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Ecuador URL: https://www.unep-wcmc.org/system/comfy/cms/files/files/000/000/808/original/Ecuador%C2%B4s_wildlife_trade.pdf Shelf Number: 145415 Keywords: Illegal Wildlife TradeNatural ResourcesThreatened SpeciesWildlife CrimeWildlife Trade |
Author: Jaekel, Theo Title: Far From Reality: How the EU falls short in preventing the illicit trade of conflict minerals Summary: In recent years, international efforts have sought to address issues related to the illicit trade of conflict minerals fueling conflicts across the globe. One such initiative is reflected in Section 1502 of the U.S. Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Act, passed in 2010, which targets companies listed on the U.S. stock exchange using conflict minerals in their products. The provision requires such companies to carry out supply chain due diligence and to annually report on this issue. The Dodd-Frank Act has led to an increased application of various other international guidelines and norms, as well as new national legislation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), one of the most mineral rich countries in the world. Important developments in the DRC in recent years include: 1) requirements on mining operations to be validated in order to legally trade minerals, and 2) a traceability system designed to increase transparency in the supply chain. There are however severe challenges in the implementation of the new regulations, and much work remains to be done in order to establish functional and trusted frameworks. Miners interviewed by Swedwatch during a field trip to the DRC tell of harsh and dangerous working environments and dire economic conditions. Government officials experience problems in regards to insufficient funding, and therefore lack the capacity to validate and monitor mining activities, and enforce the rule of law. Mining companies lose a substantial share of minerals to smugglers who circumvent the legal requirements. And NGOs report widespread corruption among government authorities, compromising the traceability and validation systems, as well as lack of engagement and tax avoidance by large mining companies. Despite their differences, key stakeholders in the DRC agree that EU legislation is needed to tackle the systemic flaws within the mining industry. On 15 June 2016, after months of negotiations, the EU agreed an outline deal on a new regulation on conflict minerals due diligence. The agreement is a welcome step in the right direction, but the compromise fails to address key issues and this may undermine the purpose of the legislation itself. The main critical gap relates to the scope of the agreement only applying to upstream companies. The agreed scope covers only a fraction of minerals that end up in the EU - requiring only upstream companies, i.e. smelters/refiners, to conduct due diligence. Downstream companies, placing minerals on the EU market in the form of finished products, such as mobile phones, laptops and cars, are exempt. Already existing standards, such as the OECD Guidance, include clear provisions for both upstream and downstream companies to conduct on-going due diligence. Thus, the entire supply chain of minerals is covered and engages each actor in the chain. The EU agreement fails to live up to the existing standards. Legislation requiring all companies to conduct due diligence was an opportunity for the EU to address the severe and pressing human rights risks in global supply chains of conflict minerals. Instead, the negotiations reached only a partial solution. Details: Stockholm: Swedwatch, 2016. 38p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 14, 2016 at: http://www.swedwatch.org/sites/default/files/tmp/80_kongo_enkelsidor.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Europe URL: http://www.swedwatch.org/sites/default/files/tmp/80_kongo_enkelsidor.pdf Shelf Number: 144865 Keywords: Conflict MineralsIllegal MiningIllegal TradeIllicit TradeNatural Resources |
Author: International Peace Information Service (IPIS) Title: Third Party Review of the Bisie Security Report Summary: The so-called 'Bisie Mineral Stock' encompasses about 1,000 tons of cassiterite, extracted by artisanal miners at Bisie mines between November 2010 and June 2015. A number of bans on mining and mineral trade in this region, as well as some hesitance further down the supply chain to buy untagged minerals, meant that mineral production was not marketed, but stored in warehouses. From 2014 onwards, national and international stakeholders developed a stock clearance strategy for the sale of these minerals. As a reference for potential purchasers to contribute towards their decision-making process on reasonable due diligence and risk mitigation measures, Pact developed a Bisie Security Report that documents the security situation. Considering the complexity of the situation, the Conflict Free Sourcing Initiative (CFSI) contracted IPIS to review the report. IPIS agrees with the Bisie Security Report on the limited rebel involvement in Bisie mining since the start of the stock accumulation in 2012. However, Global Witness and IPIS reports from 2012 and 2013 present clear and detailed accounts of indirect illegal taxation by FARDC at the mines, which complement the Security Report's observations. Furthermore, IPIS' report discusses i.a. allegations of overestimation of the stock's registered volumes, a lack of transparency regarding financing, potential risks of creating a precedent for future stock evacuations, and local tensions in and around Bisie between Bisie's titleholder Alphamin Bisie Mining SA and artisanal miners' cooperatives. Details: Antwerpen: IPIS, 2016. 38p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 15, 2016 at: http://ipisresearch.be/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/20160718_Bisie.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Congo, Democratic Republic URL: http://ipisresearch.be/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/20160718_Bisie.pdf Shelf Number: 140754 Keywords: Conflict MineralsIllegal MiningMining IndustryNatural Resources |
Author: Ewing, Jonathan Title: A Lot of Gold, A Lot of Trouble: A study of humanitarian impacts of the gold industry in DR Congo Summary: The Democratic Republic of the Congo (Congo-Kinshasa or DR Congo) is a country still recovering from a ruinous eight-year civil war that killed more than 5.4 million people. The value of untapped deposits of raw minerals is equivalent to the combined gross domestic product of Europe and the United States. Cobalt, diamonds, copper and, of course, gold is on the list along with highly sought after casserite, wolframite and coltan, which are used in consumer electronic products. Much of the extraction, or mining, is done in small operations known as artisanal, or small-scale mining, where the regulations that govern the activities are rarely enforced. Recently, more money is being invested into the extraction and refining of some of the ores found in the DR Congo, primarily copper, cobalt, and very recently, gold in Orientale Province. Mineral Invest International MII AB is a Swedish junior gold mining company surrounded by some of the largest international players in the extractive sector. Despite its diminutive size and its limited financial resources, the local community is waiting for Mineral Invest to increase its operation. The artisanal miners hope for jobs and the local community is waiting for development in the form of schools, hospitals and improved roads. According to Mineral Invest's website, the company has laudable plans for development projects in the area where it operates. Swedwatchs' and Diakonia's study shows that investment in post-conflict countries like DR Congo should require proper due diligence and a social licence to operate. So far, this has not been carried out. The DR Congo's Cadastre Minier has issued the licenses to SOKIMO, which is a partner in the joint venture with Mineral Invest. This joint venture features significant payments to the Democratic Republic of the Congo without specifying the recipient authority or entity within the state, which is a problem of transparency. The contractual agreement between Mineral Invest and the Congolese state-run mining company, SOKIMO, implies conflicts of interest and a lack of clarity. SOKIMO being both provider of mining licenses and at the same time having a financial interest implies a concentration of power that can create conflicts of interest and invite corruption. The allocation of payments to the state raises concerns as well as the agreements regarding development projects or, for example, accountability for environmental destruction. Finansinspektionen, the Swedish financial regulator, and Aktietorget, the Swedish market where Mineral Invest is publicly traded, have insufficient regulation and guidance for companies operating in difficult or post-conflict countries. Mineral Invest has not worked out an agreement, often called a social license to operate, with members of the local community where it operates. The company has contracted a unit of the Congolese military to provide security. This unit has been implicated in the ethnic slaughter of pygmies and cannibalism. The soldiers have also been accused of extorting gold from miners. Details: Stockholm: Diakonia; SwedWatch, 2012. 55p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 17, 2016 at: http://www.diakonia.se/globalassets/documents/diakonia/publications/reports/2012-a-lot-of-gold-a-lot-of-trouble.pdf?_t_id=1B2M2Y8AsgTpgAmY7PhCfg%3d%3d&_t_q=a+lot+of+gold&_t_tags=language%3aen%2csiteid%3adfed4c1a-bbd8-450f-954a-02cff1abcc09&_t_ip=165.230.70.227&_t_hit.id=Diakonia_Web_Models_Media_GenericMedia/_4baca66d-47cc-4b18-83eb-3ca74a73271b&_t_hit.pos=1 Year: 2012 Country: Congo, Democratic Republic URL: http://www.diakonia.se/globalassets/documents/diakonia/publications/reports/2012-a-lot-of-gold-a-lot-of-trouble.pdf?_t_id=1B2M2Y8AsgTpgAmY7PhCfg%3d%3d&_t_q=a+lot+of+gold&_t_tags=language%3aen%2csiteid%3adfed4c1a-bbd8-450f-954 Shelf Number: 145097 Keywords: Conflict MineralsConflict MiningGold MiningIllegal MiningMining IndustryNatural Resources |
Author: Ralby, Ian M. Title: Downstream Oil Theft: Global Modalities, Trends, and Remedies Summary: At peak prices, tapping a Mexican pipeline of refined oil for only seven minutes could earn a cartel $90,000. In 2012 alone, hydrocarbons fraud cost the European Union €4 billion in lost revenues. In Nigeria, 30 percent of all hydrocarbons products are smuggled into neighboring states. An estimated 660,000 cars in Morocco and Tunisia run all year long on fuel smuggled from Algeria. In its first year, a fuel marking and vehicle tracking program in Uganda reduced the amount of adulterated fuel from 29 percent to as little as 1 percent. But at the same time, the regulators who test the state’s fuel marking program routinely steal 22 liters per truckload, amounting to 1.2 million liters per year at one border crossing alone. Theft, fraud, smuggling, laundering, corruption. Hydrocarbons crime, in all its forms, has become a significant threat not only to local and regional prosperity but also to global stability and security. Combating this pervasive criminal activity is made only more difficult by the reality that many of those in a position to curb hydrocarbons crime are the ones benefiting from it. This is the first major study of refined oil theft around the globe, and while Part I provides only a limited snapshot of the problem, it offers useful insight into the modalities of theft, the culprits responsible, the stakeholders who suffer, and the approaches that could change the illicit dynamics. Part I examines the contours of illicit hydrocarbons activity in ten case studies: Mexico, Nigeria, Ghana, Morocco, Uganda, Mozambique, Thailand, Azerbaijan, Turkey, and the European Union (including the United Kingdom). The modalities of theft across these geographically and contextually disparate cases range from low-level tapping, siphoning, adulteration, and smuggling to extremely sophisticated maritime operations involving extensive networks of actors to brazenly corrupt dynamics in which states lose billions of dollars per year while their officials profit from those losses. Illicit activity is highest in states where oil is refined, but the most common determinant of oil theft is a significant price discrepancy between one state and its neighbor. Other factors in neighboring states— instability, currency imbalances, and lack of border controls—also impact the extent to which a state experiences downstream illicit activity. Areas where there are few fuel distribution centers are particularly ripe for organized criminal groups to fill the void. At the same time, security forces, regulatory authorities, company insiders, terminal workers, and officials at every level are all potential participants in illicit hydrocarbons schemes that rob governments of revenue and enrich the individuals involved. Some mitigation efforts—most notably fuel marking and vehicle tracking—have proved extremely useful in efforts to stem illicit activity and regain lost tax revenue. But others, including closing borders, have had little, if any, effect. This report is divided into three parts. The first focuses on the culprits, modalities, and amounts of downstream illicit hydrocarbons activity. It details each of the case studies and examines the forms of hydrocarbons crime, highlighting who benefits, who suffers, and, to the extent possible, how much is being lost by governments in the process. Part II draws on the details of the case studies to analyze trends in the global illicit market. Part III then focuses on the various stakeholders and their reasons and opportunities for mitigation, and provides concrete recommendations about what might be done. Fuel is vital to human life, and everyone wants a discount. Across the globe, people are willing to break the law in order to pursue that discount. The global scourge of illicit downstream hydrocarbons activity remains relatively invisible. This study, in shining a light on it, constitutes the first step toward effectively addressing this pervasive, yet unrecognized threat to global security, stability, and prosperity. Details: Washington, DC: Atlantic Council, Global Energy Center, 2017. 116p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 25, 2017 at: http://www.atlanticcouncil.org/images/publications/Downstream_Oil_Theft_web_0106.pdf Year: 2017 Country: International URL: http://www.atlanticcouncil.org/images/publications/Downstream_Oil_Theft_web_0106.pdf Shelf Number: 147797 Keywords: Natural ResourcesOil IndustryOil TheftOrganized CrimeTerrorist Financing |
Author: Satyal, Poshendra Title: Assessing Civil Society Participation in REDD+ and FLEGT: Case Study Analysis of Cameroon, Ghana, Liberia and the Republic of Congo Summary: he report presents findings from an assessment study on the quality of participation of civil society actors in REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) and FLEGT VPA (Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade – Voluntary Partnership Agreement) processes in four countries in Africa: Cameroon, Ghana, Liberia and the Republic of Congo. The study was part of an EU funded project, coordinated by Fern on "Tackling Deforestation through Linking FLEGT and REDD+" for which the quality of participation in REDD+ and FLEGT was outlined as an indicator to assess one of the project’s objectives (i.e. key REDD+ safeguards are respected in practice). The focus of the assessment study on civil society participation is at national policy making level in FLEGT and REDD+ processes. Building on key literature on participation and research on civil society participation in REDD+ and FLEGT, a questionnaire tool was developed and applied in practical case studies in the four countries. The analysis is drawn from the interviews based on the questionnaire tool; some in-depth interviews and secondary research in these countries. Details: Norwich, UK: The School of International Development, 2017. 46p. Source: Internet Resource: DEV Reports and Policy Papers: Accessed January 25, 2017 at: http://pfbc-cbfp.org/news_en/items/Report-FLEGT.html Year: 2017 Country: Africa URL: http://pfbc-cbfp.org/news_en/items/Report-FLEGT.html Shelf Number: 145572 Keywords: DeforestationForest Law EnforcementForest ManagementForestsIllegal LoggingNatural Resources |
Author: Awazi, Alain Title: Trafficking of Gold and and Coltan in the Democratic Republic of Congo Summary: Following a dictatorship that lasted for 30 years, in May 1997, the late MOBUTU SESE SEKO was pushed out of power by Laurent Desire KABILA, with the support of The Alliance of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Congo-Zaire ("AFDL") rebels and neighboring countries following a war that caused several hundred thousand deaths. Zaire became the "Democratic Republic of the Congo" (DRC), beginning a long period of instability dominated by armed conflicts from various rival groups, which profoundly affected the economy. It is unanimously agreed that economic motives, directly related to exploitation and traffic of mineral in East of the country, have been a substantial cause of those conflicts. The purpose of this short descriptive document is to present relevant background information about the Democratic Republic of the Congo ("DRC" or "DR Congo") and the criminal or illegal exploitation of coltan and gold. The document consists of eight parts: The introductory first part is followed by a second part that includes a background on the DR Congo; the third part is a description of the socio-political and economic situation of the country; the fourth part includes relevant information regarding crimes and human rights violations in DRC; the fifth part is a description of trafficking in Kivu; the sixth part describes the situation of law enforcement around the exploitation; the seventh covers current and active mechanism for regulating the extraction and production of minerals and the eighth section presents some conclusions. Details: Bogotá, Colombia: Vortex Foundation, 2016. 17p. Source: Internet Resource: The Global Observatory of Transnational Criminal Networks: Research Paper No. 3. VORTEX Working Papers No. 14: Accessed January 26, 2017 at: http://globalinitiative.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/522e46_f2a86e46cc1040b78d9867291bd87bca.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Congo, Democratic Republic URL: http://globalinitiative.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/522e46_f2a86e46cc1040b78d9867291bd87bca.pdf Shelf Number: 145434 Keywords: Conflict MineralsIllegal MiningMining IndustryNatural ResourcesTrafficking in Natural Resources |
Author: Lopez Guevara, Estefania Title: Illegal Mining and Trafficking of Coltan in the Amazon Border Region Summary: The illegal mining of coltan takes place not only in Colombia, but also in the border region between Colombia, Venezuela and Brazil. Unlicensed miners, supported by guerrillas and hidden by authorities from Colombia, Venezuela and Brazil, exploit the mines and coerce indigenous peoples into mining labors in the Amazonas where it is presumed that there are deposits of columbite and tantalite inside native's reserves or natural parks. Bearing this in mind, the purpose of this document is to describe the illegal mining and trafficking of coltan in the Amazon border region. The information is structured around the following topics and sections: (i) Key criminal agents relevant in trafficking of coltan, (ii) key criminal hotspots related to trafficking of coltan, (iii) and a description of recent relevant cases. Details: Bogota, Colombia: Vortex Foundation, 2016. 14p. Source: Internet Resource: Internet Resource: The Global Observatory of Transnational Criminal Networks: Research Paper No. 2. VORTEX Working Papers: Accessed January 26, 2017: http://globalinitiative.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/522e46_bdea3889f6994097adeb2cab13f92ab9.pdf Year: 2016 Country: South America URL: http://globalinitiative.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/522e46_bdea3889f6994097adeb2cab13f92ab9.pdf Shelf Number: 144868 Keywords: Conflict Minerals Illegal Mining Mining Industry Natural Resources Trafficking in Natural Resources |
Author: Lopez Guevara, Estefania Title: Coltan Trafficking Network in the Democratic Republic of Congo Summary: Trafficking of Coltan is the main economic, social and political source of instability in The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and surrounding countries, including Rwanda and Burundi. The illegal market of the ore has roots in transnational and domestic corruption, financial support to armed groups, violation of workers' rights, multinationals collusion, instability of international prices minerals and lack of diversification. Armed groups earn hundreds of millions of dollars every year by trading coltan that is smuggled out of Congo throughout neighboring countries and then shipped to smelters for refinement. Once the coltan is processed, it is difficult to trace its origin, so it easily makes its way all over the world, mainly, in electronic products. The sophisticated trafficking system of coltan is based on elite networks that operate mainly in DRC, linked to transnational organized crime and also to transnational lawful agents, such as corporations. Several lawful and unlawful agents conform each network. In fact, it has been reported that there is - competition between corrupt generals and rebels. In the case of the militia groups profits go on buying arms on the black market. With the generals, some [profits] go on arms, but lots of it goes on luxury things like villas. The profits are funding the war for everyone - both sides. It's a self-supporting war. (France 24, 2008) This document is the analysis of a criminal network traffics coltan, diamonds, arms, gold, and other minerals and commodities across the DRC and surrounding countries. The document has five parts: The first part is an introduction; the second part is a description of the methodology and the concepts related to Social Network Analysis, which is the methodological approach herein applied; the third part is a presentation of a criminal network defined as a "coltan trafficking and elite network in DRC", as well as the sources gathered and processed in this analysis; the fourth part is a presentation of the characteristics of the criminal structure, which includes a description of the types of nodes/agents, the interactions established, and the nodes/agents concentrating direct interactions and the capacity to arbitrate resources. The fifth part includes conclusions related to the characteristics the analyzed network. Details: Bogotá, Colombia: Vortex Foundation, 2016. 39p. Source: Internet Resource: The Global Observatory of Transnational Criminal Networks: Research Paper No. 19. VORTEX Working Papers no. 14: Accessed January 27, 2017 at: http://globalinitiative.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/522e46_f0896eb2340e4941bdd0de3f52e3bc65.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Congo, Democratic Republic URL: http://globalinitiative.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/522e46_f0896eb2340e4941bdd0de3f52e3bc65.pdf Shelf Number: 145815 Keywords: Conflict MineralsCriminal NetworksIllegal MiningMining IndustryNatural ResourcesOrganized CrimeTrafficking in Natural Resources |
Author: World Customs Organization Title: Illicit Trade Report 2013 Summary: The 2013 edition of the WCO Illicit Trade Report continues a new paradigm set last year, where the results of the work undertaken by the global Customs community to fight cross-border crime are being released to the general public. The toxic and corrosive nature of illicit trade and organized transnational crime harms economic growth and job creation, challenges the rule of law, robs governments of needed revenue and threatens human rights and quality of life, and thus requires a strong, internationally coordinated response. This Report focuses on five major areas addressed by Customs enforcement on a daily basis: environmental crime and illegal trade in natural resources; intellectual property infringements and trade in substances that pose a threat to public health and safety; smuggling and counterfeiting of excisable goods, such as tobacco and alcohol, as well as illicit financial flows; trade in illegal drugs; and illegal trade in dangerous and prohibited goods. The Report Sections address these areas using a common methodology: Customs seizures recorded in the WCO Customs Enforcement Network are analysed to develop trends and patterns concerning the aforementioned areas of enforcement. The Report also contains information on the results of international enforcement programmes, projects and operations conducted in 2013 that were organized and coordinated by the WCO, its international partners and its Member administrations in the five enforcement areas covered in the Report. We are particularly pleased to note that in 2013 more WCO Members reported their seizures to the CEN than in 2012. While much work still needs to be done, this is an important step towards shedding more light on the parallel and underground economy, and it serves as tangible proof of the commitment of the global enforcement community to address these challenges. Knowing the importance of high-quality information for policymakers, the WCO will continue working with its Members to improve the quality of seizure data, and increase its input into CEN. More complete information will allow the WCO and the Regional Intelligence Liaison Offices to provide a better service to the global Customs community. This Report will contribute to the WCO's growing pool of knowledge that will support analysis of, and actions against illicit trade. Given that the current year has been designated as the WCO Year of Communication, we are delighted to be able to share with you the valuable information contained in this Report. Details: Brussels: World Customs Organization, 2014. 116p. Source: Internet Resource: http://www.wcoomd.org/~/media/wco/public/global/pdf/topics/enforcement-and-compliance/activities-and-programmes/illicit-trade-report/illicit-2013-_-en_lr2.pdf?db=web Year: 2014 Country: International URL: http://www.wcoomd.org/~/media/wco/public/global/pdf/topics/enforcement-and-compliance/activities-and-programmes/illicit-trade-report/illicit-2013-_-en_lr2.pdf?db=web Shelf Number: 146008 Keywords: Counterfeiting of GoodsCustoms SeizurresEnvironmental CrimeIllegal Trade Intellectual PropertyNatural ResourcesSmuggling of Goods |
Author: Global Witness Title: Honduras: The Deadliest Place to Defend the Planet Summary: Sandwiched between Guatemala and Nicaragua on the Caribbean coast, Honduras is blanketed in forest and rich in valuable minerals. But the proceeds of this natural wealth are enjoyed by a very small section of society. Honduras has the highest levels of inequality in the whole of Latin America, with around six out of ten households in rural areas living in extreme poverty, on less than US$2.50 per day. This report documents shocking levels of violence and intimidation suffered by rural communities for taking a stand against the imposition of dams, mines, logging or agriculture on their land – projects that are controlled by rich and powerful elites, among them members of the political class. The root causes of these abuses are widespread corruption and the failure to properly consult those affected by these projects. Details: Global Witness, 2017. 52p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 17, 2017 at: https://www.globalwitness.org/en/campaigns/environmental-activists/honduras-deadliest-country-world-environmental-activism/ Year: 2017 Country: Honduras URL: https://www.globalwitness.org/en/campaigns/environmental-activists/honduras-deadliest-country-world-environmental-activism/ Shelf Number: 146985 Keywords: Environmental CrimesNatural ResourcesOffenses Against the EnvironmentViolence |
Author: Lopez Guevara, Estefania Title: Trafficking of Coltan in the Democratic Republic of Congo Summary: The subjects analyzed in the document are the commerce, fraud, and contraband, as well as mechanisms and agents at internal and external levels intervening in the trafficking of coltan. This document also examines the (i) key criminal agents and other activities relating to the traffic of the ore, (ii) hotspots and (iii) recent cases covered by media. Details: Bogota, Colombia: Vortex, 2016. 27p. Source: Internet Resource: Research Paper No. 4.: Accessed February 24, 2017 at: http://globalinitiative.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/522e46_bee14894ac2a4354a2ae49710c88bdd0.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Congo, Democratic Republic URL: http://globalinitiative.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/522e46_bee14894ac2a4354a2ae49710c88bdd0.pdf Shelf Number: 141218 Keywords: Conflict MineralsCriminal NetworksIllegal MiningMining IndustryNatural ResourcesOrganized CrimeTrafficking in Natural Resources |
Author: International Crisis Group Title: The Central African Crisis: From Predation to Stabilisation Summary: he crisis that has plagued the Central African Republic (CAR) since December 2012, particularly predation by both authorities and armed groups, has led to the collapse of the state. Under the Seleka, bad governance inherited from former regimes worsened. Its leaders looted state resources and controlled the countrys illicit economic networks. Ending this cycle of predatory rule and moving peacefully to a state that functions and can protect its citizens requires CAR’s international partners to prioritise, alongside security, economic revival and the fight against corruption and illegal trafficking. Only a close partnership between the government, UN and other international actors, with foreign advisers working alongside civil servants in key ministries, can address these challenges. Governance under the short Seleka rule (March-December 2013) was deceptive: the regime proclaimed its positive intentions while, like its predecessors, plundering public funds and abusing power for self-enrichment. Though Seleka fighters were involved in illicit activities even before, once in power the movement asserted control of lucrative trafficking networks (gold, diamond and ivory). Their systematic looting destroyed what was already a phantom state. Retaliation by anti-balaka fighters against Muslims – the majority of traders are Muslim – aggravated the economic collapse. The economy fell apart even before the state; yet the current international intervention spearheaded by the G5 (African Union, UN, European Union, the U.S. and France) focuses for the most part on security. Troops are being mobilised, but if a principal cause of the conflict – entrenched predation – is left unaddressed, the international community will repeat the failures of its past interventions. Protecting citizens is important; but so too is rekindling economic activity and improving financial public management to help build an effective public governance system delivering services for all CAR citizens, both Muslim and Christian. A new UN mission (MINUSCA) will be deployed in September 2014. In addition to its current mandate – protecting civilians, assisting a political transition, supporting humanitarian work and monitoring human rights – it must change the incentive structure for better governance. It should prioritise rebuilding the economy and public institutions and fighting trafficking. The region and relevant multilateral organisations should be involved too. Targeted sanctions against spoilers in and outside CAR should be embedded in a more comprehensive strategy to revive the economy. Some politicians with ties to armed groups or who are eyeing what are for the moment hypothetical presidential elections could resist a tight partnership between the state and international community. But the transitional government's demand for strong international support offers an opportunity to forge such a partnership and adopt the policies essential to both stabilise the country and promote a change of governance. Details: Brussels: International crisis Group, 2014. 37p. Source: Internet Resource: Africa Report No. 219: Accessed March 8, 2017 at: https://d2071andvip0wj.cloudfront.net/the-central-african-crisis-from-predation-to-stabilisation.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Africa URL: https://d2071andvip0wj.cloudfront.net/the-central-african-crisis-from-predation-to-stabilisation.pdf Shelf Number: 141376 Keywords: Illegal TradeIllegal TraffickingIllicit NetworksNatural ResourcesPolitical Corruption |
Author: Macqueen, Duncan Title: Boosting governance in Mozambique's forests: Options for more sustainable forestry among Chinese timber traders and Mozambican partners Summary: Mozambique is Africa's largest exporter of timber to China. Yet multiple published concerns over the sustainability and legality of that timber trade assert the rapid commercial depletion of future timber stocks, the marginalisation of local forest communities, and the loss of revenue to government estimated at US$146 million between 2007 and 2013 alone. This report takes a step back to explore what options exist for incentives to improve the forest practice of Chinese timber traders and concession holders and their Mozambican partners. Drawing on research in the forest sector, it identifies six potential areas of concern for those operators. It then outlines for each area possible incentives that might be developed to improve forest practice. The set of 18 incentive types may not be exhaustive, but the questionnaire survey of government, civil society and private sector actors did not reveal further major sources of incentive. Table 1 summarises our initial understanding about these areas of concern for operators and possible incentive types to improve their practice. Each incentive type is ranked in terms of its perceived potential for beneficial impact by 26 Mozambique forest experts (five private-sector experts, seven NGO forest experts, five government forest authority staff, and nine forest experts from research or teaching institutions). Many of these incentive types are generic, in the sense that they are applicable as much to Mozambican operators as to Chinese operators. But there are also some China - specific opportunities. These relate to the characteristics, preferred timber specifications and reputational sensitivities of the Chinese timber market, to emerging Chinese policies based on guidelines and a timber legality verification system, and to the organisational dynamics of Chinese traders and concession holders in Mozambique. In short, there are ways in which a useful China-Mozambique engagement could incentivise change above and beyond what might be possible by working with Mozambican operators alone. A summary of the multiple different incentive categories is presented below in Table 1. The pie charts summarise a sequential numerical ranking made by the 26 Mozambique forest experts described above. For each expert, their first six ranked options were afforded the status of high priority, the second six ranked options of medium priority, and the final six ranked options of low priority. The aggregate number of times an option was ranked high, medium or low priority forms the basis for the pie chart. In addition, the top six ranked options overall are highlighted in yellow with a description of their numerical ranking. Details: London: International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), 2017. 98p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 2, 2017 at: http://pubs.iied.org/pdfs/17601IIED.pdf Year: 2017 Country: Mozambique URL: http://pubs.iied.org/pdfs/17601IIED.pdf Shelf Number: 145243 Keywords: ForestsIllegal LoggingNatural ResourcesOffenses Against the Environment |
Author: Schouwstra, Robert Title: Strengthening the security and Integrity of the Precious Metals Supply Chain Summary: In its resolution 2013/38 entitled "Combating transnational organized crime and its possible links to illicit trafficking in precious metals," the Economic and Social Council calls upon the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) to conduct a comprehensive study on the possible links between transnational organized crime, other criminal activities and illicit trafficking in precious metals. UNICRI has developed a programme to promote an international strategy to combat illicit trafficking in precious metals, in which the comprehensive study requested in ECOSOC resolution 2013/38 is the major component of an Assessment Phase to be followed by an Operational Phase. An Expert Meeting on "Promoting an international strategy to combat illicit trafficking in precious metals," organised by UNICRI in September 2015 in Turin (Italy), allowed the collection of experts' views on the issues and challenges that needed to be addressed and emphasized in the study. The present technical report aims at giving a comprehensive overview of the current trends related to precious metals trafficking, in particular it focuses on the precious metals supply chain, the different threats and challenges hanging over this market - including the involvement of organised crime groups and associated criminal activities - as well as the regulatory frameworks and initiatives in place to guarantee the integrity of the supply chain. The knowledge acquired throughout this report is used to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to address the challenges. A series of recommendations concerning the implementation of an international strategy to prevent and combat illicit trafficking in precious metals are included in the assessment. The report is intended to address the following research questions and sub-questions: - What is the extent of illicit trafficking in precious metals? - Is illicit trafficking in precious metals linked to transnational organized crime and other associated criminal activities? - Is illicit trafficking in precious metals linked to terrorist activities? - What are the vulnerabilities of the precious metals supply chain? - How can illicit trafficking in precious metals be prevented and countered? - What are the strengths and weaknesses of existing initiatives? Details: Torino - Italy: United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), 2016. 123p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 6, 2017 at: http://files.unicri.it/PM_draft_onlinev.pdf Year: 2016 Country: International URL: http://files.unicri.it/PM_draft_onlinev.pdf Shelf Number: 145328 Keywords: Illicit TraffickingNatural ResourcesOrganized CrimePrecious MetalsSupply Chain SecuritySupply ChainsTerrorismTrafficking in Metals |
Author: Booker, Francesca Title: First line of defence? A review of evidence on the effectiveness of engaging communities to tackle illegal wildlife trade Summary: Illegal wildlife trade (IWT) in wild species and products is at the top of the international conservation agenda. But it is not just a concern for conservationists - it also has implications for economic and social development, and security. The level of international concern about IWT is reflected by the level of investment that has been made in tackling it - more than US$1.3 billion since 2010 (Wright et al. 2016). It is well recognised that tackling IWT requires a multi-pronged approach and that, beyond reducing demand for illegal products and increasing anti IWT law enforcement along the entire wildlife value chain, a third critical strategy is engaging local communities in conservation. By virtue of their proximity to and knowledge of wildlife, local people are well placed to participate in or support poaching and IWT. The same characteristics mean, however, that they are equally well placed to detect, report on, and help prevent it - if the appropriate incentives are in place. But community engagement has received far less attention and investment than law enforcement or demand reduction to date. Only about 15 per cent of the US$1.3 billion has been allocated to initiatives intended to support sustainable use and alternative livelihoods. Part of the problem is that there is no blueprint approach. While global and regional policy commitments to engaging communities abound, details of how these should be implemented and how they impact IWT remain vague. This report attempts to take a first step in addressing that vagueness. It does so by reviewing existing evidence on the effectiveness of different approaches to engaging communities in efforts to tackle IWT. Through a literature review and through submissions to IIED's Conservation, Crime and Communities (CCC) database (www.communitiesforwildlife.iied.org), we identified 49 different examples of community-based initiatives for tackling illegal wildlife trade from Africa (25 initiatives), Asia (18 initiatives) and Latin America (6 initiatives). The most common approach to community engagement in the 49 initiatives was direct involvement in anti-poaching activities - as guards/rangers or informants. Another common approach was the introduction of alternative livelihoods (both wildlife and non-wildlife based). Wildlife tourism development was the most common form of livelihood support activities deployed specifically to engage poachers in one case, but more commonly used to generate conservation incentives for the broader community. Human wildlife conflict mitigation was also employed in over 20 per cent of the initiatives. Very few (four) initiatives involved community members benefiting from sustainable harvesting and legal trade as a conservation incentive. Of the 49 initiatives identified, only 26 (53 per cent) reported on their effectiveness (either in terms of reducing poaching or maintaining or increasing wildlife populations), although a further six noted that the initiatives were at too early a stage in their development to report on effectiveness. For the 26 that reported on effectiveness, 19 (73 per cent) reported that they were effective - although in four cases effectiveness was partial (it varied over time or was site specific); two were not effective; and five were unclear (either they did not provide an assessment of the community engagement component of a broader anti-IWT initiative, or they showed contradictory results). Of the 26 initiatives with a reported impact on poaching/wildlife numbers, only seven (8 per cent of the total dataset) provided details of how this impact had been assessed - including through interviews with local community members, through analysis of records on reported poaching incidents, and through visual assessments. Of these seven, four found that illegal activities (poaching, logging, illegal plant collection) had declined and one found no change; one found that target populations had increased and one found no change. Details: London: IIED, 2017. 60p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 8, 2017 at: http://pubs.iied.org/pdfs/17591IIED.pdf Year: 2017 Country: International URL: http://pubs.iied.org/pdfs/17591IIED.pdf Shelf Number: 145348 Keywords: Community EngagementCrime PreventionIllegal Wildlife TradeNatural Resource ManagementNatural ResourcesWildlife ConservationWildlife CrimeWildlife Management |
Author: Byrd, William Title: Industrial-Scale Looting of Afghanistan's Mineral Resources Summary: Afghanistan has been plagued by large-scale, open looting of mineral resources, involving significant mining operations, bulk transport of minerals along main roads, and crossing the border at just a few, government-controlled points. This mineral looting, amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars per year, involves widespread corruption, entrenches warlords and their networks, and fuels both local conflicts and the wider insurgency in Afghanistan. The government needs to begin to get a better handle on resource exploitation and to collect more substantial royalties and taxes from ongoing mining activities. Summary Afghanistan is well endowed with underground resources, but hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of minerals are being extracted yearly, unaccompanied by payment of applicable royalties and taxes to the state. The bulk of this industrial-scale mineral looting - which has burgeoned over the past decade - has occurred not through surreptitious smuggling but openly, in significant mining operations, with visible transport of minerals on large trucks along major highways and across the Afghan border at a few government-controlled points. The prior political penetration of power holders and their networks in government, who became increasingly entrenched over time, explains this pattern of looting, which is engaged in with impunity owing to massive corruption of government agencies charged with overseeing the extractives sector, main highways, and borders. The current political and security climate favors continued and even further increased looting, which strengthens and further entrenches warlords, corrupts the government, partly funds the Taliban and reportedly ISIS, and fuels both local conflicts and the wider insurgency. Although the situation is dire and no answers are easy, near-term recommendations that could begin to make a dent in the problem include halting the issuance of new mining contracts, enforcing existing contracts to ensure taxes and royalties are paid, monitoring the transport of minerals on main roads and across borders, and imposing an emergency levy on mineral exports. The recent appointment of a new minister of mines is a good step forward, but a well-functioning, effective ministry management team will be key to success. Over the medium term, a political consensus is needed that part of the proceeds of mineral exploitation goes to the government budget and that ownership arrangements of mining companies are transparent. In addition, a system of monitoring flows of some Afghan minerals outside the country- as conflict minerals - should be considered. Details: Washington, DC: United States Institute of Peace, 2017. 20p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 5, 2017 at: https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/2017-05/sr404-industrial-scale-looting-of-afghanistan-s-mineral-resources.pdf Year: 2017 Country: Afghanistan URL: https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/2017-05/sr404-industrial-scale-looting-of-afghanistan-s-mineral-resources.pdf Shelf Number: 145931 Keywords: LootingMineral ResourcesMineral TheftMining IndustryNational Heritage SitesNatural ResourcesProperty Theft |
Author: Williams, Aled Title: At the extremes: Corruption in natural resource management revisited Summary: Natural resource sectors are undergoing profound changes. Resources are being extracted in more remote locations within corruption-prone developing countries than was previously the case; there is an increased proliferation of actors involved in resource extraction; and a marked shift towards renewable energy, conservation and climate change projects in developing countries. Formulating generic anti-corruption policy prescriptions for the wide range of heavily contextualised corruption challenges natural resource sectors face is unlikely to help. This U4 Brief offers instead modest advice for advancing solutions through development cooperation, with a focus on analytical methods, project management approaches, and tracking evidence for effectiveness. Details: Bergen: Chr. Michelsen Institute (U4 Issue 2016:4), 2016. 6p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 9, 2017 at: http://www.u4.no/publications/at-the-extremes-corruption-in-natural-resource-management-revisited/ Year: 2016 Country: International URL: http://www.u4.no/publications/at-the-extremes-corruption-in-natural-resource-management-revisited/ Shelf Number: 145993 Keywords: CorruptionNatural ResourcesResource CurseTheft of Natural Resources |
Author: Allouche, Jeremy Title: Undercurrents of Violence Why Sierra Leone's Political Settlement is not Working Summary: Debates over violence, security, humanitarian and development imperatives have long been polarised. However, as seen in Syria and Mali, the question is not simply whether one should intervene but rather how and for whose benefit. In this context, a closer look at the case of Sierra Leone - touted in many circles as a success story - yields interesting insights into the limits of its political settlement. Pro-poor development outcomes need to be at the heart of any negotiated political settlement. Failure to address fundamental issues around access to power, accountability regarding control of natural resources, and extreme poverty itself has resulted in marginalisation and disenfranchisement, and new forms of violence. The way in which elite-coalition political settlements are shaping patterns and processes of economic development is central to developing an understanding about building peaceful states and societies. This is not a question of trade-off between peaceful states (traditional security concerns) and peaceful societies (human security concerns) but rather of the extent to which negotiated political settlement will enable state-society relations to evolve into an acceptable and sustainable solution both for the elites and for society. Considering that there is always a real possibility of relapse into, or the continuation of, violence in other forms after the end of an internal armed conflict, violence-mitigation efforts should focus on adopting a longer-term approach to transforming the political settlement into pro-development state-society relations, geared towards implementing far-reaching governance and other political and socioeconomic reforms. This will necessarily be a gradual, difficult and open-ended process, which is contingent on the capacity and willingness of dominant domestic elites and their international partners to advance it. However, the case of Sierra Leone highlights the fact that the international community has no clear pathways for transforming a political settlement that is geared towards stability and control towards more inclusive state-society relations based on liberal governance and inclusive participation. More often than not, the activities of international peacebuilders around political settlement have contributed to an order where coercion, inequality and violence remain central. To mitigate the growing intensity and frequency of violence in Sierra Leone, international donors and the Government of Sierra Leone should: 1. focus on the proliferation of small arms by: investing in programmes to develop the capacity to control and limit the possession, trading and use of small arms; and developing alternative livelihood initiatives as incentives for artisan blacksmiths to stop producing small arms; 2. enforce codes of practice for resource extraction (such as the Extractives Industries Transparency Initiative), make multinational corporations (MNCs) operating in Sierra Leone accountable for their business ethics and support the creation of domestic natural resource-governance initiatives with a view to promoting transparency, accountability and fair use and allocation of proceeds from natural resources; 3. emphasise, as a key priority for their poverty-reduction strategies, the reintegration into economic and social life of demobilised militants in peri-urban and rural areas, with a particular focus on job creation and vocational training for youth. Details: Brighton, UK: Institute of Development Studies, 2014. 4p. Source: Internet Resource: IDS Policy Briefing 48: Accessed June 13, 2017 at: https://opendocs.ids.ac.uk/opendocs/bitstream/handle/123456789/3322/PB48.pdf?sequence=1 Year: 2014 Country: Sierra Leone URL: https://opendocs.ids.ac.uk/opendocs/bitstream/handle/123456789/3322/PB48.pdf?sequence=1 Shelf Number: 146076 Keywords: Economic Development and Violence Natural ResourcesPoverty Socioeconomic Conditions and Crime Trading in Small Arms |
Author: Chayes, Sarah Title: When Corruption is the Operating System: The Case of Honduras Summary: In some five dozen countries worldwide, corruption can no longer be understood as merely the iniquitous doings of individuals. Rather, it is the operating system of sophisticated networks that cross sectoral and national boundaries in their drive to maximize returns for their members. Honduras offers a prime example of such intertwined, or "integrated," transnational kleptocratic networks. This case thus illustrates core features of the way apparently open or chaotic economies are in reality structured worldwide - and some of the dynamics that are driving climate change, persistent inequality, and spiraling conflict. THE HONDURAN KLEPTOCRATIC OS IN ACTION - In this example, the three interlocking spheres are roughly co-equal in psychological impact if not in amounts of captured revenue. They retain a degree of autonomy, and are often disrupted by internal rivalry. - This system's operations devastate the environment-though Honduras is not a "resource" country. Most threats to biodiversity derive from deliberate "development" policies-whose primary purpose is actually to funnel rents to network members. - Modern renewable energy, as well as hydropower, is captured by the network. The migrant crisis is also fueled by this brand of corruption. - Repression is carefully targeted for maximum psychological effect. An example was the March 2016 assassination of environmental and social justice activist Berta Caceres, which reverberated through like-minded communities. _ The kleptocracy benefits from significant external reinforcement, witting or unwitting, including not just military assistance, but much international development financing. A DIFFERENT "CHIP" - The first step to disabling the kleptocratic OS is to acknowledge it, and outsiders' role reinforcing it. Western policymakers should invest in the candid study of these networks and to corruption as an intentional operating system, and evaluate whether their inputs are, on balance, enabling or challenging these structures. - Environmental protection is part of an awakening indigenous worldview that provides an integrated, positive vision many find worth fighting for. Community groups are establishing their own networks, in which cultural and environmental revival is linked to labor and land rights and autonomous education. But these groups receive proportionately little support from donor governments and institutions. - Community-supported alternative development models exist. Members of such organizations-who have faced death to combat network-controlled dams-readily identify micro-dams that meet their approval. They have helped design and construct some; others contribute to local well-being. Development implementers should study such projects and apply their principles. - Lessons from Honduras are applicable worldwide. Engaged Honduran community groups have valuable insights not just into how development assistance can produce better results in Honduras, but into ways the West might retool its economy to reduce inequality while preserving and cultivating natural resources. Details: Washington, DC: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 2017. 174p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 20, 2017 at: http://carnegieendowment.org/files/Chayes_Corruption_Final_updated.pdf Year: 2017 Country: Honduras URL: http://carnegieendowment.org/files/Chayes_Corruption_Final_updated.pdf Shelf Number: 146322 Keywords: CorruptionCriminal NetworksEnvironmental CrimesNatural ResourcesOffenses Against The Environment |
Author: Courson, Elias Title: Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND): Political Marginalization, Repression and Petro-Insurgency in the Niger Delta Summary: This Discussion Paper explores the emergence of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) in the context of a full-blown insurgency linked to local resistance and violence in Nigeria's oil-rich Niger Delta. By focusing on MEND, an armed group that has been largely responsible for the escalation of the struggle by the ethnic minorities of the Niger Delta into an armed phase since late 2005, the author draws attention to the roots, causes and complex dynamics underpinning the violent conflict and insecurity in the region. This study is both timely and important as it focuses on a festering local conflict that is of great significance to political stability in Nigeria's multi-ethnic federation, as well as to global energy security considering the high stakes involved as the region hosts Africa's most productive oil fields. The importance of this study lies in the ways it interrogates some of the existing perspectives to armed conflict in resource-rich contexts by providing a systematic analysis of the roots and drivers of violence in the Niger Delta. By examining the complex connections between the political economy of oil and the ways it has fed into the politics of dispossession, the history of ethnic minority agitation, resource control, and the vicious cycle of repression and insurgency, the author provides a good case study of the oil-conflict nexus in Nigeria. It also introduces some interesting perspectives to the linkages at the local-national-global levels in the conflict in the region. Although active in the Niger Delta the impact of MEND's attacks has been felt both nationally and globally. Attacks by MEND and other armed groups have led to the loss of a quarter of Nigeria's daily oil exports since 2006. This has adversely affected the revenue base of the Nigerian government, the profit margins of international oil companies operating in the region, and disrupted global oil supplies, contributing to rising prices in the volatile oil markets. Located in West Africa's oil-rich Gulf of Guinea, the Niger Delta is strategic to the energy security calculations of the world's established and emerging powers: the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Russia, China and India. For this reason, the crisis in the Niger Delta has attracted a lot of international attention and concern underscoring both the high stakes involved and the importance of ending the conflict and building sustainable peace in the region. MEND's propaganda machinery has also been active at the national and global levels in seeking attention for its local course. By focusing on MEND, this study casts more light on its origins, methods, strategies and objectives. It also nuances some of the more complex aspects of the conflicts in the oil-rich region, providing to some extent a basis for understanding some of the contradictions and ambivalence within MEND itself, and other actors, local and international involved in the conflict. Beyond this, it provides a sound basis for grappling with the challenge of resolving the complex conflict, starting with a review of some of the more recent efforts of various Nigerian governments, and calling attention to the need to tackle the problem from its roots. The analysis and material contained in this Discussion Paper should be of interest to scholars of conflict and peace in Africa, strategic and energy analysts, as well as policy makers working in the fields of democracy and development on the continent. Details: Uppsala: Nordiska AfrikainstitutetT, 2009. 32p. Source: Internet Resource: Discussion paper 47: Accessed June 22, 2017 at: https://www.files.ethz.ch/isn/112097/47.pdf Year: 2009 Country: Africa URL: https://www.files.ethz.ch/isn/112097/47.pdf Shelf Number: 146340 Keywords: Natural ResourcesOil IndustryOil-Conflict NexusPetroleum IndustryResource CurseViolence |
Author: Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) Title: First Class Crisis: China's Criminal and Unsustainable Intervention in Mozambique's Miombo Forests Summary: This report updates a January 2013 EIA report on forest crime in Mozambique - First Class Connections. It details research, investigations and analysis conducted by EIA between mid-2013 and 2014 which found that: - Over the past seven years an average of 81 percent of all logging in Mozambique was illegal. In 2013, a staggering 93 per cent of logging in the country was illegal - The shocking scale of illegality is largely driven by booming timber exports, with 76 per cent of timber exported from Mozambique worldwide in 2013 being illegally cut in excess of reported harvests - The vast majority of exports (93 per cent on average between 2007 and 2013) were shipped to China. In 2013, when Mozambique became China's biggest African supplier of logs by value, 46 per cent of China's 516,296 cubic metres (m3) of timber imports from Mozambique were also smuggled out of the country, maintaining a pattern and scale of crime by Chinese companies already documented by EIA in 2012 - This illegal logging and timber smuggling has driven harvesting volumes way beyond sustainable levels, despite claims by Mozambican officials to the contrary, raising serious concerns about the Government's ability to credibly manage the country's forest resources - EIA analysis shows that an excessive focus on just a handful of commercial timber species - for both export and domestic markets - raises the likelihood that commercial stocks will be largely depleted over the next 15 years - All of this crime and environmental mismanagement has robbed Mozambique's rural poor and wider population of US$146 million in lost exploration and export tax revenues since 2007 - Despite some evidence of law enforcement by the Mozambican Government, and the promotion by the Chinese Government of voluntary guidelines on legal forestry activities for Chinese businesses, corruption and ineffective governance in both Mozambique and China's business sector are a structural impediment to resolving the crisis - Multiple Chinese-owned timber companies already exposed by EIA and others continue to smuggle illegal Mozambican timber to China. Without a sea-change in how Mozambique's Government and law enforcement community do their jobs, with corruption an ongoing problem, and with no enforceable laws on illegal timber imports in China, Mozambique's forests and forest economy face a bleak future. The degree to which poor rural communities will bear the burden of Mozambique's ongoing illegal logging crisis - in what is now the second least developed nation on Earth - is a critical development and governance challenge that needs immediate and credible action by all concerned parties. Details: London: EIA, 2014. 17p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 29, 2017 at: https://eia-international.org/wp-content/uploads/First-Class-Crisis-English-FINAL.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Mozambique URL: https://eia-international.org/wp-content/uploads/First-Class-Crisis-English-FINAL.pdf Shelf Number: 147502 Keywords: Environmental CrimesForestsIllegal LoggingNatural ResourcesOffenses Against the EnvironmentSmuggling |
Author: Global Witness Title: Buyers in Good Faith: How Timber Exporters are Complicit in Plundering Peru's Amazon Summary: A new report into an emblematic case of timber trafficking in Peru highlights the corruption and fraud that continue to sabotage attempts to crack down on a trade that is devastating the Amazon region. The report, released on November 9 by investigative watchdog group Global Witness, tells the story of the most high-profile anti-timber trafficking operation in Peruvian history: the November 2015 attempted seizure of illegal timber from the ship Yacu Kallpa as it was anchored in the Amazon River near the city of Iquitos. On the morning the Yacu Kallpa was set to depart on a journey that would have eventually taken it to Houston, Texas, a public prosecutor boarded the ship and attempted to seize 15 percent of its cargo - 1,200 square meters of wood that investigators had proven was of illegal origin. The boat eventually departed after a day of murky interventions and legal wrangling that ended with the ship's captain promising the prosecutor to return with the 15 percent after dropping off the rest of the cargo, according to an account of events in an investigation by Wired. However, investigators continued their work, visiting the locations cited in the wood's certificates of origin to verify its extraction. The Yacu Kallpa was eventually detained in Mexico and its cargo seized. By the time they had finished their verification, investigators had established that 96 percent of the cargo - more than 9,500 square meters - was "not of legal origin." Details: London: Global Witness, 2017. 16p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 20, 2017 at: http://globalinitiative.net/timber-peru/ Year: 2017 Country: Peru URL: http://globalinitiative.net/timber-peru/ Shelf Number: 148273 Keywords: ForestsIllegal LoggingNatural ResourcesTimberTrafficking in Timber |
Author: Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) Title: The Rosewood Racket: China's Billion Dollar Illegal Timber Trade and the Devastation of Nigeria's Forests Summary: Fueled by the exploding demand for rosewood furniture in China, the species Pterocarpus erinaceus - "kosso" - native to the West African forests, has most likely become the most traded tropical hardwood species in the world, despite its listing as a threatened species on CITES Appendix III (effective May 2016) and then II (effective January 2017). Amid an economic downturn resulting from falling crude oil prices, the sudden 350% growth in wood exports transformed Nigeria from net importer into a major African wood exporter, with this unprecedented felling devastating thousands of square kilometers of forest' Most of the billion of dollars' worth of wood exported by Nigeria over the past four years was illegal: harvested and/or exported in contravention of state and/or federal laws. The rosewood trade may have benefited the terrorist group Boko Haram. Evidence strongly indicates that over 1.4 million kosso logs, worth about US$300 million, were stopped by Chinese customs officials in 2016, then released in 2017, after Nigerian CITES authorities retrospectively issued approximately 4,000 permits. It appears that Mrs. Amina J. Mohammed, former Nigerian Minister of Environment, signed the CITES documents during her last days in office, just before she became the United Nations Deputy SecretaryGeneral. The retrospective issuance of thousands of CITES permits is reportedly the result of a grand corruption scheme that involves over a million dollars paid by influential Chinese and Nigerian businessmen to senior Nigerian officials, with the alleged help of Chinese consulate. The looting of forests throughout Nigeria is undermining the national effort to mitigate climate change and to fulfill the Sustainable Development Goals Details: London: EIA, 2017. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 30, 2017 at: https://content.eia-global.org/assets/2017/rosewood-racket/PDF/Rosewood+Racket+Report+(Low+Res).pdf Year: 2017 Country: Nigeria URL: https://content.eia-global.org/assets/2017/rosewood-racket/PDF/Rosewood+Racket+Report+(Low+Res).pdf Shelf Number: 148591 Keywords: Environmental Crime Forests Illegal Logging Illegal Timber Illegal Trade Natural Resources |
Author: Pellerin, Mathieu Title: Beyond the 'Wild West': The Gold Rush in Northern Niger Summary: This Briefing Paper examines how the gold rush in northern Niger has affected the security, political, and socio-economic dynamics of this sensitive region. The first part discusses the mechanics of the gold rush, which started in 2014: the nature of the mining sites, the various participants, and the (limited) role of the state in the region. The second part focuses on the effects of the gold rush on northern Niger: increased local wealth and new elites on the one hand, more banditry and arms trafficking on the other. It notes, however, that there is little evidence of gold mining providing material or financial support to extremist groups. And while the wealth of some miners and local business people who transport miners and supply them with necessities increased, the local economic upturn did not spread to the national economy. The paper concludes that future mining will need to industrialize to access deposits deeper underground, now that surface gold deposits are largely exhausted. This change may result in increased socio-economic and security instability, both in northern Niger and in the wider region. Details: Geneva: SWIT: Small Arms Survey, 2017. 16p. Source: Internet Resource: http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/T-Briefing-Papers/SAS-SANA-BP-Niger-Gold.pdf Year: 2017 Country: Niger URL: http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/T-Briefing-Papers/SAS-SANA-BP-Niger-Gold.pdf Shelf Number: 148778 Keywords: Arms Trafficking Banditry Gold Illegal Mining Mining Industry Natural ResourcesTrafficking in Weapons |
Author: Global Witness Title: Under-Mined: How corruption, mismanagement and political influence is undermining investment in Uganda's mining sector and threatening people and environment Summary: Uganda is rich in natural resource wealth such as gold, tin and phosphate that could create jobs and support the country's developing economy by generating tax revenues. However, our 18 month long investigation has exposed endemic corruption and mismanagement in the country's fledgling mining sector that means crooked officials, and international investors are profiting at the expense of Uganda's people, environment and economy. Key findings of the investigation include: Miners are working in dangerous, largely unregulated conditions - with children exposed to toxic chemicals on a daily basis Almost half the world's remaining mountain gorillas are at risk as mining threatens Bwindi and Rwenzori national parks, part of the famous Virunga ecosystem, and also risks the economically critical tourism industry which depends on the country's natural beauty and wildlife The country is deprived of tax revenues that could be spent on schools, hospitals and roads Minerals from the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan - that might be funding conflict and human rights abuses - pass through Uganda on their way to international markets Details: London: Global Witness, 2017. 87p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 21, 2018 at: https://www.globalwitness.org/en/campaigns/oil-gas-and-mining/uganda-undermined/ Year: 2017 Country: Uganda URL: https://www.globalwitness.org/en/campaigns/oil-gas-and-mining/uganda-undermined/ Shelf Number: 150319 Keywords: Environmental CrimesMineralsMining IndustryNatural ResourcesOffenses Against the EnvironmentalPolitical Corruption |
Author: Smirnov, Denis Title: Assessment of Scope of Illegal Logging in Laos and Associated Trans-Boundary Timber Trade Summary: Main findings - The Government of Laos lacks reliable information on issued logging licenses (quotas), the officially registered volume of timber harvested, and export of wooden products. For example, Lao wood exports to China and Vietnam from 2012-2014 as reported by importing countries exceeded total annual logging quotas many-fold and officially registered volume of timber by an order of magnitude. The total value of Lao wood products as reported by importing countries exceeds the value of exported wood products by analysis of data from Lao state customs statistics many-fold, and a disparity between these two data sets increases further. In 2013 the official export value was only 8% of the total value of Lao timber imported as reported by destination countries. - According to the data from importing countries the export value of Lao wood products has been growing exponentially from the end of 2000s. From 2009 to 2014 it increased more than 8 times (by 70% between 2013 and 2014) and reached US$1.7 billion. In 2014, China and Vietnam were responsible for 96% of Lao wood export in value terms (63 and 33%, respectively). Moreover export to China increased by 140% on 2013 levels. This growth in value of Lao timber exports to China and Vietnam is caused by a simultaneous increase in exported timber volume and increase in the value of exported product units due to the greater proportion of valuable tree species in Lao exports. - The ban on export of logs and sawn timber imposed by the Government of Laos from 1999- 2002 with the aim to encourage development of deep processing of timber in the country is either not enforced or circumvented due to numerous permissions issued in "exceptional cases". The share of unprocessed and sawn wood in total exports from Laos in monetary terms almost always exceeded 90% in a period between 2000 and 2014, hitting 95% in 2011-2013 and nearly 98% in 2014. From the mid-2000s the share of logs in exports has been increasing steadily and reached 56% in 2014 while in 2002 accounted for only 14% (furthermore export value of logs doubled in 2014 compared to 2013). - The comparison of official data on volumes of issued quotas and the officially registered volume of timber harvested in Laos' four southern provinces of Sekong, Saravan, Champassak and Attapeu ("CarBi monitoring area") in the 2011-2012 logging season, with data on export of wood products from this area, has found that >50% of timber products exported were from undocumented sources. In monetary equivalent the value of excessive timber could exceed the Lao budget income from timber sales planned for the 2013-2014 fiscal year threefold. - Not less than 50% (most likely more than 60%) of wood products exported in the 2010-2011 logging season from Sekong were from undocumented sources. - The sheer volume of undocumented timber involved suggests that its extraction and transportation was conducted by large companies who had been permitted to legally assemble and operate a very high number of heavy equipment inside the extraction areas and to and from the country's borders. Such large fleets of heavy equipment are usually only assembled to convert forest lands for plantations, roads, transmission lines, reservoirs, mining, or geologic prospecting. - Following the above assumption we found the timing of these huge volumes of undocumented timber to be following a dramatic increase in Chinese and Vietnamese investments in mining, agriculture, forestry and hydropower in Laos. The majority of the associated projects' concessions were located in forested areas and accordingly contemplates the possibility of logging quotas acquisition. - We investigated the above correlation by comparing logging quotas issued for land clearance of one mining and one road construction project in the provinces of Saravan and Sekong with actual timber extraction. Analysis of relevant official documents, field surveys of logging sites and log depots, and interpretation of high resolution satellite images have been applied. We found 100% of timber extracted under the road construction project and 99% of the timber from the mining project to be illegal. Legal violations included: a. Extraction outside of concession boundaries. In the case of mining 76% of detected new logging sites were located beyond the concession borders while in the case of road construction all logging was found beyond the zone allocated for construction (in one case 40 km away from the closest point of the road). b. Logging comes in the form of extraction of only the best quality trees of target species with the highest volume. Species composition and grades of actually harvested timber drastically differed from what was permitted under quotas. Accordingly composition and volume of harvested timber had nothing to do with the results of pre-felling survey. c. Pre-felling survey of timber designated for logging is either not carried out or done only technically (formally) for the sake of appearance. In the case of mining it was completed only for 40% of the concession already after the commencement of the logging and was not used practically. There is every indication that the pre-felling survey for the road construction concession was not undertaken on the ground and documents include fictitious data. d. There was extraction of species not permitted to be cut (including prohibited for logging) and export of species in which harvest was not documented (including rosewood species). e. Extraction of higher volumes than permitted. In the case of road construction, the volume of exported timber (as it was reported to Vietnamese customs) exceeded over the entire officially documented harvest more than threefold. f. There was underreporting of the quality of harvested timber by selling Lao authorities and undervaluation of timber by Lao timber exporter, supposedly in order to understate royalties and taxes to Lao state. In the road construction case, the average volume of logs as reported by the importer at Vietnamese customs was 1.7-2.6 times higher than in log lists and sale-purchase contracts for the same species in Laos. Prices of exported timber as reported by the importer to Vietnamese customs was 2.9-4.2 higher than contract prices indicated in documents by the Lao exporter for same species on the Lao side. - The findings of these case studies and observations of other logging quotas allow us to suggest that in reality the use of permits for harvesting "conversion" timber during realization of development projects de-facto became a way to legitimate large-scale high grading in all types of forests (including conservation and protection forests). - The discrepancy between officially registered supply of raw materials to wood processing factories and their processing capacity is striking and obvious. Official logging quotas in the provinces of Saravan and Sekong can only fill 25% of installed wood processing capacity at best. The remaining capacity is likely filled with illegal timber. - The activity of state forest inspection (and most likely other Lao state law enforcement agencies responsible for fighting illegal logging) does not have any significant impact on the dynamics and scope of illegal logging as they do not inspect logging operations under logging quotas for conversion timber (neither logging sites nor logging volumes) and further turnover of this timber (transportation, processing, export). In the four southern Laos provinces they confiscated only about 3-5% of the estimated illegal timber volume in 2011- 2012. But even this confiscated timber originated from small operations and the large-scale commercial operations by big companies remained untouched. - The high dependence of China and critical dependence of Vietnam on timber supply from Laos makes it is unlikely that the governments of these countries are ready to take steps to control import legality. It is evident that such actions would reduce dramatically the volume and quality of timber from Laos together with the profit of timber traders and wood processing companies which enjoy excess profits from purchasing raw material for underestimated prices. An indication is the elegant wording suggested by the Vietnamese government for its draft legality definition for its negotiations of a FLEGT Voluntary Partnership Agreement with the EU. It does not require importers to provide assurance that imported timber was legally harvested in the country of harvest, but rather that it was legally imported to Vietnam according to Vietnamese laws. - The situation with timber harvesting in Laos is evolving under a worst-case scenario exactly opposite to what was envisaged by Forest Strategy to the Year 2020 of the Lao PDR (endorsed by Decree No. 229/PM on 9 of August 2005): transition to sourcing timber from plantations and production forests on the basis of scientifically estimated annual allowable cut, processing of almost all harvested timber at Lao factories to final and semi-final products. Contrary to the government's good intentions developments under the actual scenario will undoubtedly lead to the sheer depletion of commercial timber stocks in its natural forests - on the same path that Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia have already taken. - Were the Lao government serious to change the status quo and avoid a worst-case scenario it would have to take immediate actions to assure that logging quotas for conversion timber meet fundamental legal requirements. The efforts must be focused on most critical points where urgent interventions are required and progress can be measured: a) Allow logging only within authorized borders. b) Provide unambiguous maps with crystal clear borders of all concessions where timber harvesting is permitted. c) Demarcate all boundaries before the beginning of logging. d) Conduct rigorous pre-felling surveys. e) Create and make available for all interested parties a database with key information about all permitted logging before the beginning of logging. f) Make field control over logging operations under quotas for conversion timber a priority for forest inspection staff. g) Use high and very high resolution satellite images as additional independent sources of information. h) Establish an independent monitoring body comprising representatives of the relevant government agencies, CSOs and INGOs with unrestricted access to all logging areas. i) Operate all forest inspection check points 24/7 and inspect timber transports en route. Not only search and detain carriers of small shipments of valuable timber but systematically register all timber shipments with information on type of product, volume and species composition regardless of the availability of "legally issued permits". j) Register timber turnover at all key points of the chain to match raw wood input with product output. Investigate mismatches thoroughly. k) Maintain account of timber supply to log landings throughout the whole logging season and regularly check accuracy of log lists maintenance. l) Regularly inspect wood processing factories to verify stocks of wood products presented in the factory against raw wood supply from documented sources. Test conversion factor of raw material to processed wood. m) Completely forbid bartering logging permits for investment in public projects. Details: London: World Wildlife Fund, 2015. 106p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 23, 2018 at: https://wildleaks.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/CarBi-assessment-of-scope2.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Laos URL: https://wildleaks.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/CarBi-assessment-of-scope2.pdf Shelf Number: 150346 Keywords: DeforestationEnvironmental CrimesForestsIllegal LoggingIllegal TradeNatural ResourcesOffenses Against the Environment |
Author: NEPCon Title: Timber Legality Risk Assessment: Laos Summary: This report contains an evaluation of the risk of illegality in Laos for five categories and 21 sub-categories of law. We found: - Specified risk for 16 sub-categories. - No legal requirements for 5 sub-categories. The Timber Risk Score for Laos is 0 out of 100. The key legality risks identified in this report concern legal rights to harvest, taxes and fees, timber harvesting activities, third parties rights and trade and transport. For Legal rights to harvest, the is a risk of: - Conflict over land tenure, and a lack of business registration specifically for plantations (Sub-category 1.1) - Forest concessions being granted in violation of regulations (1.2) - Annual Logging Quotas being based on inadequate inventories and requests from districts, prepared in the office without conducting actual field surveys, leading to approvals for logging not reflecting the resources available on the ground (1.3). - Corruption, lack of certification and stamping procedures for harvesting permits and other documents, resulting in harvesting outside areas approved by the government, clearance of greater areas than areas granted for projects, and permits issued despite lack of documentation (1.4). For Taxes and Fees, there is a risk of: - Inconsistent application of taxes and fees at the provincial level (1.5) - Risk of high corruption levels regarding payment of tax, the high amount of illegal logging indicates that issues might be present in relation to tax payment (1.5) - Risk that smallholders lack business registration, and don't pay taxes (1.5) For Timber Harvesting Activities, there is risk of: - Risk that the implementation of harvesting regulation is lacking, a logging plan is often seen as a quota giving the right to cut a certain volume, and harvesting practice driven by needs to supply the sawmills with their desired wood (1.8) - Risk of legal requirements covering protected tree species being ignored and protected species being harvested without authorization document (1.9) - Risk of non-compliance with health and safety rules, logging crews do not have safety equipment or protective gear, and live under very basic conditions (1.11) - Risk that workers do not have a contract or do not receive their salary (1.12) Third Parties' Rights: Regarding Customary rights (1.13) there is a risk of conflicts on tenure rights, the government maintains a highly centralized system of forest governance with inadequate recognition of customary tenure rights, communal lands are not compensated for when re-allocated to a company For Trade and Transport, there is a risk of: - A lack of, or falsification of the registration of harvested logs (1.16) - Risk of timber being transported without required documents (1.17) - Risk of violation of the ban on export of logs and timber (1.17) This Timber Legality Risk Assessment for Laos provides an analysis of the risk of sourcing timber from areas of illegal harvesting and transport. NEPCon has been working on risk assessments for timber legality, in partnership with a number of organizations, since 2007. Details: Copenhagen: NETCon, 2017. 143p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 24, 2018 at: https://www.nepcon.org/sites/default/files/library/2017-06/NEPCon-TIMBER-Laos-Risk-Assessment-EN-V1.pdf Year: 2017 Country: Laos URL: https://www.nepcon.org/sites/default/files/library/2017-06/NEPCon-TIMBER-Laos-Risk-Assessment-EN-V1.pdf Shelf Number: 150354 Keywords: Environmental CrimesForestsIllegal LoggingNatural ResourcesOffenses Against the EnvironmentRisk Assessment |
Author: U.S. Government Accountability Office Title: Conflict Minerals: Company Reports on Mineral Sources in 2017 Are Similar to Prior Years and New Data on Sexual Violence Are Available Summary: Over the past decade, the United States and the international community have sought to improve security in the DRC. In the eastern DRC, armed groups have committed severe human rights abuses, including sexual violence, and reportedly profit from the exploitation of "conflict minerals" - in particular, tin, tungsten, tantalum, and gold, according to the United Nations. Congress included a provision in the 2010 Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act that, among other things, required the SEC to promulgate regulations regarding the use of conflict minerals from the DRC and adjoining countries. The SEC adopted these regulations in 2012. The act also included a provision for GAO to annually assess the SEC regulations' effectiveness in promoting peace and security and report on the rate of sexual violence in the DRC and adjoining countries. In this report, GAO provides information about (1) companies' conflict minerals disclosures filed with the SEC in 2017 compared with disclosures filed in the prior 2 years and (2) the rate of sexual violence in the eastern DRC and adjoining countries published in 2017 and early 2018. GAO analyzed a generalizable random sample of SEC filings and interviewed relevant officials. GAO reviewed U.S., United Nations, and international organizations' reports; interviewed DRC officials, and other stakeholders; and conducted fieldwork in New York at the United Nations headquarters. Details: Washington, DC: GAO, 2018. 32p. Source: Internet Resource: GAO-18-457: Accessed July 2, 2018 at: https://www.gao.gov/assets/700/692851.pdf Year: 2018 Country: Congo, Democratic Republic URL: https://www.gao.gov/assets/700/692851.pdf Shelf Number: 150754 Keywords: Conflict Minerals Natural ResourcesRape Sexual Violence |
Author: Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) Title: Repeat Offender: Vietnam's persistent trade in illegal timber Summary: This month, Vietnam and the European Union (EU) will initial an agreement to ensure only legally harvested and traded timber flows through Vietnam to the EU and beyond. But as both parties meet to secure commitments, Government officials and security force personnel in Vietnam will continue to pocket millions of dollars in illicit cash payments from major timber smugglers in return for allowing hundreds of thousands of cubic metres of logs stolen in Cambodia's national parks to be laundered into Vietnam's timber economy. Between November 2016 and March 2017, EIA investigations uncovered illegal logging on unprecedented scales in Community Protected Areas (CPAs) in Virachey and Ou Ya Dev national parks and in Lumphat Wildlife Sanctuary, in Cambodia's Ratanakiri province. All of the wood is being smuggled with impunity to Vietnam as logs - in violation of both Cambodia's log export ban and a total closure of the border with Vietnam to timber, instituted in early 2016 by a Coalition Committee for Forest Crime Prevention. Much of the smuggled wood was logged illegally in protected areas funded by the EU. The devastation of Ratanakiri's protected areas is not permitted by the Government of Cambodia - or, in many cases, by local indigenous people - but is enabled by corrupt Cambodian officials and security force personnel in the pay of Vietnamese timber traders. Rather than rejecting this illegal wood, Vietnamese state and security officials have issued and administered formal quotas to give it lawful status in Vietnam's economy. These quotas have incentivised and facilitated massive illegal logging in neighbouring Cambodia, precisely at a time when that country is publicly seeking to stop all timber trade with Vietnam. During undercover meetings in Vietnam in February 2017 with companies benefiting from those quotas, EIA investigators learned how Vietnamese traders pay millions of dollars in bribes to Cambodian officials to open up logging areas and smuggling routes in Cambodia. Traders also disclosed the need to pay bribes of as much as $45 per cubic metre to Vietnamese officials, including the Chairman of Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee, customs and border army personnel, in return for the provision and administration of quotas allowing them to import into Vietnam. With about 300,000m3 of logs having been smuggled out of Cambodia and legitimised in Vietnam under these quotas, such kickbacks are likely to have amounted to more than $13 million since the beginning of November 2016. Not only are Vietnamese officials corruptly profiting, but so too is the Vietnamese state, formally taxing the illegal traffic of logs and so effectively taking a cut of the illegal businesses it has sanctioned. The looting of Cambodia's forests is merely the latest phase in Vietnam's long and continuing history of wilful timber theft. Until 2015, Laos was Vietnam's biggest timber supplier and hundreds of thousands of cubic metres of logs flowed into Vietnam each year in violation of Laos' log export ban. That traffic only stopped in 2016 because Laos' new Prime Minister banned all raw timber exports, not due to any respect in Vietnam for Laos' laws or sovereignty. State involvement in multi-million dollar transnational organised timber crime cannot be accepted by the international community and must not be ignored by the EU. Details: London: EIA, 2018. 20p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 13, 2018 at: https://www.illegal-logging.info/sites/files/chlogging/Repeat-OffenderEIA.pdf Year: 2017 Country: Vietnam URL: https://www.illegal-logging.info/sites/files/chlogging/Repeat-OffenderEIA.pdf Shelf Number: 151113 Keywords: Environmental Crime Forests Illegal Logging Illegal Trade Natural ResourcesTimber Timber Smuggling |
Author: Global Witness Title: A Major Liability: Illegal Logging in Papua New Guinea Threatens China's Timber Sector and Global Reputation Summary: In 2016, PNG provided 29% of China's tropical log imports, making it the country's single largest supplier. But our investigation reveals how a large number of logging operations in Papua New Guinea (PNG) violate the law despite holding government-issued permits. China is the world's largest consumer and manufacturer of wood and wood products. Yet it has no regulation to keep illegal timber from entering its borders. The risk of illegal timber from countries like PNG flooding China's markets has the potential to damage its reputation and major trade relationships as buyers in the U.S. and EU, which ban illegal timber imports, take action to protect themselves. This trade has profound implications for PNG as well. 70% of the country is covered by forest ecosystems that are home to some of the world's rarest plants and animals. The forest is also central to the cultural traditions and livelihoods of PNG's eight million people. By continuing to import tropical timber from PNG on such a scale, China is driving the destruction of a vulnerable and ancient forest. In A Major Liability, we draw on satellite imagery to show hundreds of apparent violations of the country's Forestry Act in major logging operations - all of which hold government permits and all of which continue to export timber. Details: London: Global Witness, 2018. 19p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 7, 2018 at https://www.globalwitness.org/en/campaigns/forests/major-liability-illegal-logging-papua-new-guinea-threatens-chinas-timber-sector-and-global-reputation/ Year: 2018 Country: Asia URL: https://www.globalwitness.org/en/campaigns/forests/major-liability-illegal-logging-papua-new-guinea-threatens-chinas-timber-sector-and-global-reputation/ Shelf Number: 151431 Keywords: Deforestation Environmental CrimeForests Illegal LoggingIllegal Trade Natural ResourcesOffenses Against the Environment Timber Industry |