NCJ Number
163801
Date Published
1996
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This report provides an overview of differences and similarities between transnational organized crime and terrorist crimes, as well as a summary of the responses received from states pursuant to Economic and Social Council resolution 1995/27, section II.
Abstract
The international community is faced with the growing dangers of both organized transnational crime and terrorist crimes, not only in terms of their occurrences but in terms of their significance, impact, and threat to security, stability, and the rule of law. Links between organized transnational crime and terrorist crimes are apparently more circumstantial than institutional; however, both of these forms of criminal activity pose a formidable challenge to governments. Effective action against both forms of crime can only be achieved through international cooperation that goes beyond the declaratory stage. Ways and means of implementing intra-state cooperation have been developed and further refined in recent years. These modalities however, have not been able to keep up with the pace of international movement of criminal assets, the possibilities afforded by instant and increasingly secure communication through electronic channels, and the ability of terrorists and members of organized criminal syndicates to pass undetected through border crossings incapable of dealing with large numbers of people. The combination of problems posed by geographical borders and divergent legal and political systems make the fight against transnational terrorism and organized crime a complicated matter. Fundamental to any progress in this area is international consensus on the modalities of international cooperation. Such a consensus is a prerequisite for overcoming legal and conceptual impediments to more effective action. 15 notes