The Increase in Illegal Commerce
The world has experienced significant economic globalization in recent decades, which has also led to an increase in illegal commerce. The increase in transnational crimes to a new, unprecedented degree has fueled the growth in illegal trade. The adoption of structured horizontal networks, which is extremely difficult to track and terminate, is a hallmark of the new paradigm shift. (Makarenko, 2017). An unprecedented increase in the scope of foreign crime is the result of the segment's combined developments.
Transnational Crimes: A Global Threat
In order to combat the global threat posed by transnational crimes, this study aims to implement one transnational policy change. Council on Foreign Relations has established around fifty-two activities which have been recognized as transnational crimes (Council on Foreign Relations, 2013). They include smuggling of arms, trafficking of narcotics and human, trade of counterfeit products and many other activities such as environmental crimes. Statistics show that the cost of transnational is approximately 3.6 percent of the world economy. The transnational crime denies citizens the requisite resources for services delivery, funds other criminal activities and violence and trigger massive suffering to the people (McCusker, 2016).
Empowering the UN Convention on Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC)
For each of the fifty-two activities categorized as transnational crime, specialized and individual policies should be derived to address them independently and not as a whole. One policy that would stop and reduce transnational organized crime (TOC) is the empowerment of the UN Convention on Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC). UNTOC was founded in 2000 in Palermo, Italy but it has not been effective in handling its missions due to lack of several legal structures and frameworks to work (Cuéllar, 2014). The presence of a powerful UNTOC which closely cooperates with Interpol handling transnational crimes will be effectual terminating transnational crimes.
Fighting Transnational Crimes: Global Cooperation
Fighting transnational crimes requires the contribution of every country in the world. Countries with weak governments such as Afghanistan and Somalia require structured support from other countries in securing it to avoid breeding of illegal transnational crimes. The United States has been instrumental erecting legal frameworks which addresses money laundering, cyber-attacks, narcotics and many other transnational crimes but it alone cannot stop the activities globally. UNTOC, Interpol, and other institutions can be empowered through improved funding, increased legal powers and increased manpower allocation (Makarenko, 2017).
Beyond Superficial Solutions
Earlier policies established to curtail transnational crimes have been weak and unfocused on the main genesis of the threat. The effective policy must combat corruption, stop money laundering and address political power in specific states support the crimes. Several governments especially in Russia and some Eurasian countries have been found to benefit hugely from transnational organized crime (TOC), Oil and Petroleum products exports and cybercrimes. China benefits immensely from the earnings of counterfeits while countries in the Latin American and West African region benefit from or cooperate with narcotic trafficking groups; therefore, shielding them (Council on Foreign Relations, 2013).
The Importance of Global Cooperation
In conclusion, the sincerity of each nation is key in tackling transnational crimes. The fight can only be won through the introduction of policies which support institutions such as UNTOC, Interpol and The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and many other institutions. Nations may individualistically formulate their policies in tackling the crimes, but they cannot have huge impacts in the globe. Termination of money laundering and corruption will eventually stop the crimes since they are the only avenues for paying the masterminds of the transnational crimes. The policy change should empower UNTOC to fight TOC crimes without forwarding interests of any specified country as it has been the case.
References
Council on Foreign Relations (2013).The Global Regime for Transnational Crime, 58 East 68th Street New York.
Makarenko, T. (2017). The crime-terror continuum: tracing the interplay between transnational organised crime and terrorism. Global crime, 6(1), 129-145.
Cuéllar, M. F. (2014). The transnational dimension of cyber crime and terrorism. Hoover Institution Press.
McCusker, R. (2016). Transnational organised cyber crime: distinguishing threat from reality. Crime, law and social change, 46(4-5), 257-273.
