Issues:
Note: Please click on the respective titles or headers for the full report.
Disclaimer: All links and news reports are correct at the time of publication.
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MAIN HIGHLIGHT
Corruption, a Threat to Human Development
Bribery by companies when doing business abroad is a significant form of corruption, and is particularly serious when vital sectors of a nation’s economy and public services are involved. In a recent survey of more than 3,000 business executives worldwide on the extent to which companies from 28 of the world’s leading economies engage in bribery when doing business abroad, Transparency International found that the public works contracts and construction sectors are the most susceptible to bribery. Other susceptible sectors are real estate, property, legal and business services, oil and gas, and mining. The sectors least susceptible to bribery on the other hand are agriculture and light manufacturing as well as civilian aerospace and information technology.
The prevalence of bribery by foreign companies in key sectors such as public infrastructure and energy resources could have adverse effects on human development and security. Besides distorting the fair awarding of contracts, such bribery reduces the quality of basic public services, limits opportunities to develop a competitive private sector, and undermines trust in public institutions. Engaging in bribery also creates instability for the companies doing the bribing and presents ever-growing reputational and financial risks. An important first step in the fight against foreign bribery is for a government to have an effective anti-corruption system in place. Governments must set an example to companies by prohibiting corruption within the public sector and upholding high standards of integrity with no impunity.
Additional Info:
- Kar, Dev and Karly Curcio, 2011, ‘Illicit Financial Flows from Developing Countries: 2000–2009 – Update with a Focus on Asia’, Washington, DC: Global Financial Integrity (GFI).
- Hollingshead, Ann, 2011, ‘The Implied Tax Revenue Loss from Trade Mispricing’, Washington, DC: Global Financial Integrity (GFI).
- Transparency International, 2011, ‘Corruption Perceptions Index 2010 Results’, Berlin.
- Hardoon, Deborah and Finn Heinrich, 2011, ‘Bribe Payers Index 2011’, Berlin: Transparency International.
- ‘Russian and Chinese Companies “Most Likely to Bribe”’, BBC, 2 November 2011.
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INTERNAL AND CROSS-BORDER CONFLICT
News & Commentaries
- Desker, Barry and Joel Ng, ‘Responsibility to Protect: Tensions between Sovereignty and Security’, RSIS Commentaries, 6 October 2011.
- Mydans, Seth, ‘Myanmar Begins to Release Some of Its Political Prisoners’, The New York Times, 12 October 2011.
- ‘Deadly Explosions Hit Southern Thailand’, AFP, 25 October 2011.
- Chua, Ryan, ‘Pimentel: Federalism Will End Mindanao Conflict’, ABC-CBN News, 26 October 2011.
- ‘Mekong Security Agreement Reached’, Xinhua, 1 November 2011.
- Tebay, Neles, ‘No Peace without Talks in Papua’, The Jakarta Post, 2 November 2011.
- ‘Bangladesh: Stop Harassment of Defense at War Tribunal’, Human Rights Watch, 2 November 2011.
- ‘Sri Lanka to Release Controversial War Report’, AFP, 3 November 2011.
Selected Publications
This NTS Alert examines the role of the Cambodian government in redressing past gross human rights abuses through the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) trials. It is argued that the government has made crucial contributions to the pursuit of justice against past atrocity crimes despite some insufficiencies.
This NTS Alert examines the role of the UN and non-governmental organisations in promoting human security in Cambodia through transitional justice. It argues that close collaboration and coordination between the government and other stakeholders are crucial for the rebuilding process in Cambodia.
This article seeks to explain why Cambodia implements transitional justice mechanisms for mass atrocity crimes committed by the Khmer Rouge regime. It notes that transitional justice has gained increasing prominence in the practice of international human rights principles. It argues that the desire to be recognised as a legitimate member of international society is a key motivation behind the Cambodian government's efforts to redress past abuses.
Events and Announcements
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MIGRATION
News & Commentaries
- ‘Nations Consider Banning Workers from Dangerous Areas’, Migrants Rights, 7 October 2011.
- Fisher, Jonah, ‘Nigeria’s Thriving Economy Lures Expats Back Home’, BBC, 20 October 2011.
- ‘Saudi Capping Foreign Workers’ Remittances’, Tempo, 26 October 2011.
- Winters, Maike, ‘Dutch Surgeons Plug Brain Drain in Nigeria’, Radio Netherlands Worldwide, 29 October 2011.
- Wheeler, William and Ayman Oghanna, ‘After Liberation, Nowhere to Run’, The New York Times, 29 October 2011.
- Blunkett, David, ‘This Fear of “Foreigners” Is behind Modern-day Slavery’, Guardian, 30 October 2011.
- Mekhennet, Souad, ‘A 50-Year Journey for Turkey and Germany’, The New York Times, 30 October 2011.
- ‘Philippines Toughens Rules for Maids in Gulf’, Emirates 24/7, 31 October 2011.
Selected Publications
This report considers migration in the context of environmental change over the next 50 years. It observes that environmental change will affect migration through its influence on a range of economic, social and political drivers which themselves affect migration. This means that the challenges of migration in the context of environmental change require a new strategic approach to policy. Policymakers should take action to reduce the impact of environmental change on communities and at the same time plan for migration events.
This paper outlines how the prolonged presence of refugees in neighbouring countries may affect peacebuilding in the country of origin both positively and negatively. Most importantly, the presence of ‘spoilers’ among the refugee population and the potential politicisation of refugees in exile may undermine peacebuilding. Also, mass repatriation of refugees could put pressure on fragile institutions and services, further undermining reconciliation upon return.
Events & Announcements
- ‘Migration and the Creation of Japan’s Multicultural Society: Workers, Women, and the Next Generation’, 27–28 January 2012, Manila, Philippines.
- ‘Relationships between Diasporas and Their “Homelands” and Their Impact on the State, National Identities, and Peace & Conflict’, 3–5 February 2012, Beirut, Lebanon.
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TRANSNATIONAL CRIME
News & Commentaries
- ‘Report: Americas and Caribbean Top Global Murder Rates’, CNN, 7 October 2011.
- ‘Illicit Money: How Much Is Out There?’, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), 25 October 2011.
- Ference, Audrey, ‘Advertising Does Not Create Trafficking, Ending Advertising Will Not Stop It’, The L Magazine, 31 October 2011.
- Rosenberg, Noah, ‘Guilty Verdict for Russian in Arms Trial’, The New York Times, 2 November 2011.
- Lester, Tim, ‘Tax Evasion Is a National Pastime Afflicting Southern Europe’, CNN, 3 November 2011.
- Gibson, Owen, ‘Pakistan Players Are Small Fry in Context of $500bn Illegal Market’, Guardian, 3 November 2011.
- Pleitgen, Fred and Mohamed Fadel Fahmy, ‘Refugees Face Organ Theft in the Sinai’, CNN, 3 November 2011.
- Welch, Dylan, ‘Cash Laundering a Huge Criminal Growth Industry’, The Age, 7 November 2011.
Latest Publications
This report offers a roadmap of the law governing pillage as applied to the illegal exploitation of natural resources by corporations and their officers, and provides a blueprint for prosecuting corporate plunder during war. It observes that the illegal exploitation of natural resources has become a prevalent means of financing conflict in countries such as Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, East Timor, Iraq, Liberia, Myanmar and Sierra Leone. The report therefore seeks to guide investigative bodies, war crimes prosecutors, and judges engaged with the technicalities of pillage.
This study looks at the illicit financial flows emerging from drug trafficking and other transnational organised crime, and their socioeconomic implications. The best estimates put criminal proceeds in 2009 close to 3.6 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) or USD2.1 trillion. Of this, an estimated USD1.6 trillion or 2.7 per cent of GDP is laundered. Drug trafficking was responsible – in economic terms – for the largest profits of transnationally operating crime groups. Within the area of drugs, the cocaine market appears to be the single largest market (retail sales of USD85 billion in 2009) dominated by transnationally operating crime groups.
Events & Announcements
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WATER SECURITY
News & Commentaries
- Gleick, Peter, ‘Water Emergencies – Time for New Plans and Technology’, Circle of Blue, 6 October 2011.
- Wheeler, William, ‘India and Pakistan at Odds over Shrinking Indus River’, National Geographic News, 12 October 2011.
- ‘Experts Recommend the Inclusion of Rainwater-Collection Systems in Cities’, ScienceDaily, 24 October 2011.
- Smith, Jeff, ‘Two Rivers: The Chance to Export Power Divides Southeast Asia’, National Geographic News, 25 October 2011.
- ‘UN Report: Floods Threaten Southeast Asia Food Crisis, Disrupt Thai Car Industry’, Circle of Blue, 26 October 2011.
- Walton, Brett, ‘Plumbing WikiLeaks: Saudi Arabia Fears Iranian Nuclear Meltdown and Potential Terrorism to Desalination’, Circle of Blue, 28 October 2011.
- ‘South Africa: Fog Harvesting Gives Water to a Local Village’, allAfrica.com, 1 November 2011.
- Leichman, Abigail Klein, ‘Growing Forests in the Desert’, Israel21c, 7 November 2011.
Selected Publications
This document provides a synthesis of actions undertaken by 21 Nairobi Work Programme (NWP) partner organisations, and highlights the results obtained and lessons learned on freshwater issues in particular. It argues that good adaptation actions for freshwater resources are central to building resilience to climate change and also to responding effectively to its impacts. It calls for improved actions in four areas, namely assessment and research, adaptive actions on the ground, awareness raising and capacity building, and policy support.
This report presents a broad analysis of transboundary water resources, pressure factors, quantity and quality status, and transboundary impacts, as well as responses and future trends. It also documents national and transboundary legal and institutional frameworks for water management and cooperation. The report seeks to provide a picture of the expected impacts on transboundary water resources, including the measures planned or in place, to adapt to climate change.
Events & Announcements
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