NCJ Number
199475
Date Published
February 2000
Length
41 pages
Annotation
This document presents the proceedings of a seminar on transnational organized crime.
Abstract
Transnational organized crime is a growing threat to the security of the international society and the stability of sovereign states. It breeds corruption and weakens emerging democracies and developing countries around the world. Transnational organized crime includes drug trafficking, money laundering, use of violence and extortion, acts of corruption, trafficking in women and children, illicit manufacturing of and trafficking in firearms, and the illegal trafficking and transportation of migrants. The United Nations has given special attention to the issue of transnational organized crime. An ad hoc committee was created for the purpose of drafting a comprehensive international convention on transnational organized crime. Discussions at this seminar focused on mutual legal assistance and extradition rendered mainly through diplomatic channels or central authorities. Law enforcement and prosecutorial authorities face a number of crucial issues in discharging their mandates. International cooperation should be promoted between countries without mutual legal assistance and extradition treaties. An examination of dual criminality is often a difficult and time-consuming task for both the requesting and requested states. A proposal was made that state parties shall permit testimony, statements, or other forms of assistance to be given via video link or other modern means of communication. There is also difficulty when the request for extradition is refused on various grounds, including the principle of non-extradition for political crimes.