Africa-Asia Pacific Symposium on Strengthening Legal Frameworks to Combat Wildlife Crime (2017)
Officials from the wildlife and criminal justice authorities of 22 countries across the Africa, Asia and Pacific regions attended the Symposium, which was convened by the UN Inter-Agency Task Force on Illicit Trade in Wildlife and Forest Products, in partnership with the World Bank-led, GEF-financed Global Wildlife Program, and USAID. These reports summarize the main issues and recommendations arising from Symposium discussions on natural resource management and trade regulation, and criminal justice and inter-regional mechanisms. One of the main outcomes of the Symposium was an agreed set of minimum provisions to harmonize wildlife legal frameworks.
[Full report]
[Summary]
Criminal Justice Response to Wildlife Crime in Malaysia (2017)
Malaysia is a major transit and consolidation point for the trafficking of a range of CITES-listed species, and its law enforcement authorities have shown themselves to be very successful at interdicting shipments of illegal wildlife products. Malaysia has effective domestic legislation, dedicated prosecutors within its wildlife enforcement agencies, Environmental Courts, and a strong anti-corruption commission. However, cause for concern is raised by the lack of arrests, prosecutions, and convictions of high-level individuals in connection with major transnational wildlife crime cases. Full report
[English]
Enhancing the Detection, Investigation and Disruption of Illicit Financial Flows from Wildlife Crime (2017)
This report was developed in partnership with the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering, based on questionnaire responses, data and information provided by 45 jurisdictions. The principal findings show that very little is known about how the proceeds of wildlife crime are being moved due to a widespread lack of focus on financial flows, and the general absence of intelligence exchange between law enforcement officials and financial intelligence units during the investigation of wildlife crimes. The report also highlights a number of recommendations, good practices and red flag indicators to support jurisdictions to "follow the money" from wildlife crimes. Full report
[English]
Criminal Justice Response to Wildlife Crime in Thailand (2017)
Thailand has led the push to make wildlife crime a police priority within the ASEAN Political-Security Community, and has some of Asia's most effective law enforcement agencies equipped to tackle organised crime. Yet as this report shows, some serious deficiencies in its legal and regulatory framework still remain, and corruption continues to play an important role in facilitating wildlife trafficking in the country.
Full report
[English]
ICCWC Wildlife and Forest Crime Analytic Toolkit Report for Viet Nam (2015)
This report reflects the findings of the Toolkit process which was implemented in Viet Nam during 2015, analyzing the current situation, strengths and challenges of Viet Nam's national response to wildlife and forest crime across legislation, law enforcement, and judiciary and prosecution capabilities. As the report highlights, Viet Nam must look beyond seizures and administrative sanctions as a measure of success in combating wildlife and forest crime. There needs to be timely and reliable information and actionable intelligence sharing, coupled with the necessary technical skills and advanced capabilities to identify, target and arrest criminals, particularly the organizers and financers of these crimes. The associated Action Plan outlines a suggested course of action to implement the recommendations of the Toolkit report and strengthen Viet Nam's capacity in this regard.
Full report
[English]
[Vietnamese]
Action plan
[English]
[Vietnamese]
Criminal Justice Response to Wildlife and Forest Crime in Myanmar (2015)
Responses by the government of Myanmar to combating wildlife and forest crime need urgent improvement, according to UNODC research. The report analysed the current legal frameworks as well as the strengths and weaknesses of the key stakeholders of the criminal justice system. Through inter-agency cooperation, harsher penalties and greater resources for law enforcement, Myanmar has an opportunity to reduce these crimes in the coming years.
[Full report]
Legal framework to address wildlife and timber trafficking in the ASEAN region (2015)
This report investigates the legal framework of all ASEAN Member States (AMS) relation to the illegal exploitation of wildlife and/or timber. It offers a regional overview of the participation of ASM to key international treaties and of the provisions of national frameworks to criminalize these offences and to treat them as serious crimes.
Criminal Justice Response to Wildlife and Forest Crime in Cambodia (2015)
The research conducted in Cambodia revealed an intricate combination of achievements and failures in the fight against wildlife and timber trafficking. Despite high penalties associated to the analysed crimes, the lack of high-profile investigations and prosecutions raise concerns on the actual capacity to protect natural resources and to make the Country less attractive to international smuggling rings.
[Full report]
Criminal Justice Response to Wildlife and Forest Crime in Lao PDR (2014)
The assessment undertaken in Lao PDR shed light on a number of challenges faced by the Government to adequately respond to wildlife and forest crime. Limited inter-agency cooperation, lax enforcement of the existing laws and high degree of impunity make Lao PDR a key priority in the fight against wildlife and timber trafficking in Southeast Asia.
[Full report]
Criminal Justice Responses to the Illegal Trade in Timber in Viet Nam (2013)
The use of Viet Nam's criminal justice system to counter the illicit timber trade has been sub-optimal. Viet Nam is increasingly aware of the issue, and the damage that can result from the illegal timber trade, but this has not resulted in extensive action. Moving forward, Viet Nam should work to target high-level players, close legal loopholes and provide law enforcement with better training and tools.
[Full report]
