NCJ Number
195149
Date Published
December 2001
Length
180 pages
Annotation
This document describes the proceedings of the seminar Effective Countermeasures to Combat Organized Crime in Criminal Justice Processes held in Kathmandu, Nepal in December 2000.
Abstract
Organized criminal groups are structured groups committing one or more serious crimes in order to obtain a financial or other material benefit. The major activities of these groups are drug trafficking, arms trafficking, smuggling of stolen vehicles, smuggling of illegal migrants, trafficking in women and children, and money laundering. The increased use of computers and the globalization of markets have caused organized crime groups to become more active behind the international scene. Social conditions such as illiteracy and poverty have encouraged organized crime in Nepal and other countries. The specific crimes evident in Nepal are illicit drug trafficking, money laundering, trafficking in women and children, smuggling, and corruption. Nepal seems to have been less impacted by organized crime than its neighbors. The fluid political situation and the situation of insurgency present the need for enactment of laws to prevent and control the increasing incidence of organized crime. Fighting organized crime in a court of law involves finding witnesses to testify and offering them protection and other benefits. Some States devise immunity programs or adopt legislation specially designed for the protection of witnesses and victims. The Nepalese criminal justice system needs to become more humane, just, and functional by introducing structural and procedural changes at various levels to make it more efficient for effective trial of organized crimes. Each nation should develop, share, and exchange databases, information, and expertise concerning organized criminal activities through sub-regional, regional, and international organizations. Common definitions, standards, and methodologies need to be developed and applied. Information should be disseminated where appropriate through the mass media and should include measures to promote public participation in preventing and combating organized crime. Political commitment and proactive government policies are equally important to prevent organized crime and for the effective treatment of organized crime members. 14 tables, 14 footnotes, 23 references