The Global Initiative against Transnational Organised Crime and the WWF presented a new report at the UN Crime Congress this week in Doha. It Reviews major gaps and the obstacles in the global legal architecture that stand in the way of the global response to transnational organised environmental crime.
We are one of 25 organisations to send a joint letter of protest over the murder of Indonesian activist Indra Kailani. This letter has been sent to Asia Pulp and Paper, the Government of Indonesia, the European Commission, the European Delegation in Indonesia and the Indonesian Embassy in Brusssels
China spurred a flurry of international press reports when it appeared to announce a ban on ivory imports into the country, although the ‘temporary ban’ does not apply to the huge domestic legal ivory market in China which continues to perpetuate the desirability of, and illegal trade in, ivory while stimulating demand
The escalating international criminal trade in ivory and rhino horn is well documented, Significantly less well known a product derived from a critically endangered species, often commanding black market prices up to five times higher than ivory – the carved beaks of helmeted hornbills
Labora Sitorus, former chief brigadier in Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for large-scale timber theft, in part due to evidence provided by us. In a latest concerning development, after being allowed to leave prison unescorted to seek medical treatment, Sitorus is now at large.
In 2014, we celebrated our 30th anniversary but in other respects it was a typically hectic and successful year as we continued to uncover ongoing problems and expose new ones; here are just a few of the highlights from a busy 12 months