The impact of organized crime on development, economics and human rights

1. The impact of organized crime on development, economics and human rights Sandro CalvaniUNICRI Diretor International University College of Turin 29 June 2009

2. Table of contents • Definition of crime • Global public goods • Security and development • Crime and economics • Two collective security challenges: - transnational organized crime - terrorism • Transnational organized crime • Obstacles for the international community • Terrorism • Trafficking in weapons and in human beings • International instruments • UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime • Conclusions 2

3. Definition of crime An act (of commission and omission) violating a law, hence deemed illegal, to which the judicial system attributes a penalty. Current impact of crime What impact does crime have nowadays on the complex interconnections between economics, development and rights? 3

4. Global public goods: Security Development Economy Human rights 4

5. Security and development are interdependent • Crimes against natural or cultural heritage can discourage foreign investment • Illegally exploiting natural resources of countries that are experiencing war or that are in the process of developing can seriously hinder reconstruction efforts. • Corruption as an obstacles to increasing wealth poses severe limitations on development. 5

6. Raising interconnections between organized crime and economic crimesSpeculative manoeuvresconcerning goods in the economic and financial realmBuildingwithout planning permissions and illicitwaste traffickingCounterfeiting(technology, software, banknotes, pharmaceuticals, cars, cigarettes, watches…)Abuse of public powers(corruption, extortion, embezzlement) Crime and Economics 6

7. Collective security: two main challenges Transnational organized crime Terrorism 8

8. Globalization of economy andtransnationality of crime 7

9. Transnational organized crime A direct threat to States and to human security Among the main transnational criminal activities: drug trafficking worth $ 300-500 billion (as much as some countries’ GDP) contributes to the alarming spread of HIV/AIDS revenues from opium industry finance terrorist groups (i.e. Afghanistan) 9

10. Emerging crimes as a threat to a development, economics and human rights 10

11. Emerging crimes Crime Bln. $ 1. Marijuana 141.8 2. Counterfeit Technology 100 3. Cocaine 70.45 4. Opium/Heroin 64.82 5. Web Video Piracy 60 6. Smuggled Cigarettes 50 7. Software Piracy 47.8 8. Counterfeit Pharm. Drugs 40 9. Human Trafficking 32 10. Amphetamines 28.25 11. Animals smuggling 20 12. Movie Piracy 18.2 13. Illegal Fishing 16.5 14. Ecstasy 16.07 15. Illegal Logging 15 Crime Bln. $ 16. Counterfeit Auto Parts 12 17. Trash Smuggling 11 18. Human Smuggling 10 19. Arms Trafficking 10 20. Art Smuggling 10 21. Counterfeit Clothes 8.24 22. Gas and Oil Smuggling 6.2 23. Music Piracy 4.5 24. Counterfeit Cigarettes 4 25. Pirated Mobile Phone Entert 3.4 26. Counterfeit Cosmetics 3.0 27. Video Game Piracy 3.0 28. Counterfeit Airline Parts 2.0 29. Cable Piracy 1.54 30. International Adoptions 1.3 11

12. Emerging crimes Crime Mln. $ 31. Counterfeit Shoes 920 32. Counterfeit Watches 655 33. Counterfeit pesticides 650 34. Book Piracy 600 35. Counterfeit Sports Mem. 500 36. Kidnap and Ransom 500 37. Counterfeit Alcohol 300 38. Diamond Smuggling 280 39. Counterfeit Toys 131 Crime Mln. $ 40. Counterfeit Cuban Cigars 100 41. Nuclear Smuggling 100 42. Counterfeit Purses 70 43. Counterfeit Dollars 61 44. Organ Trafficking 50 45. Counterfeit Lighters 42 46. Counterfeit Batteries 23 47. Human Tissue and Parts 6 48. Counterfeit Money Orders 3.7 12

13. Obstacles for the international community 1) Insufficient cooperation between States 2) Weak coordination between international agencies 3) Inadequate efforts of many countries Also complicated by structural and organizational changes: from formal hierarchies to fluid networks 13

14. Terrorism Threatens the core values of the United Nations Charter: • respect for human rights • rule of law • humanitarian law protecting civilians • tolerance between peoples and nations • peaceful resolution of conflicts 14

15. Terrorism thrives in contexts of: • regional conflict • foreign occupation • State failure • despair • humiliation • poverty • political oppression • extremism • human rights abuses 15

16. New factors heightening the threat of terrorism: Armed non-governmental networks with global outreach and sophisticated capacities (i.e. Al-Qaeda) Mass-casualtyattacks 16

17. Trafficking in weapons and violence in war-torn countries.Human trafficking and the difficulties in distinguishing illegal phenomena within migration movements.International instruments and the search for a common international definition of terrorism and victims’ protection. Trafficking 17

18. Arms trafficking • $ 10 billion - illegal arms trafficking • $ 1-4 billion - illegal trade in small weapons • 2 million people involved in illicit arms trafficking • 2000 U.S. weapons smuggled into Mexico by drug traffickers daily • 140.000 illegally smuggled weapons in Kenya • 1 million lost/stolen light weapons end up on the black market • 60% of the arms illegally trafficked originate from a legal transaction 18

19. Human trafficking and distinguishing illegal phenomena in migrations Trafficking in persons: coercion (without victims’ consent) exploitation (for labour or sexual purposes) may be transnational or internal Smuggling in persons: consensual cross-border ends with arrival at destination 19

20. Human trafficking • 2.7 million victims a year • 80% of the victims are women • 50% of the victims are minor • $ 9.5 billion turnover a year Fonte: Vienna Forum To Fight Human Trafficking, Feb 2008; TIP report 2007 20

21. International instruments • 1945 United Nations Charter • 1948 The Universal Declaration of Human Rights • 1951Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide • 1966 The UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights • 1969 Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination • 1976 The UN International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights • 1981Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women • 1984 UN Convention Against Torture • 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child • 2002 Rome Stature on the International Criminal Court 21

22. International instruments: The United Nations Convention againstTransnational Organized Crime (Palermo-2000) • Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime • Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Air and Sea, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime • Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing and Trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts and Components and Ammunition, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime 22

23. - To contrast organized crime, must address the transnational dimension- Need COOPERATION Conclusions 23

24. www.unicri.it Thank you for your attention 23