International Day for the Prevention of and Fight against All Forms of Transnational Organized Crime

The roundtable event held on November 15, 2024, at Universal College Lahore, Pakistan, marked the first International Day for the Prevention of and Fight against All Forms of Transnational Organized Crime. Organized by the Centre for Governance Research (CGR), Centre for Human Rights (CFHR), and the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC). The 2-hour event aimed to strengthen partnerships among civil society, government, academia, and international organizations in the fight against transnational organized crime.

The event began with introductory remarks from Mr. Tariq Khosa, Director of CGR, who highlighted the importance of partnerships and the success of Pakistan’s pioneering efforts in launching a global conference on transnational organized crimes. Mr. Mark Shaw, Director of GI-TOC, discussed the global impacts of organized crime, such as its threats to security, violence, and the rule of law. Keynote speakers included Mr. John Collins, Director of Academic Engagement at GI-TOC, focused on transnational crime and Pakistan’s role as a focal point for Central South Asia. Mr. Tariq Parvez, President of NIOC, stressed the importance of international cooperation and education in tackling organized crime.

In the roundtable discussion, Ambassador Mansoor, emphasized the necessity of synchronized efforts between government, civil society, and international actors to combat organized crime. Ms. Sevim Saadat and Mr. Umar Khan from CFHR highlighted the role of civil society in combating organized crime, citing research on trafficking's economic impact on Pakistan. The event concluded with the unveiling of the Civil Society Declaration 2024, marking a collective commitment to combat transnational organized crime.

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Event Overview

Title: International Day for the Prevention of and Fight against All Forms of Transnational Organized Crime‍

Duration: 2-hours‍

Date: November 15, 2024‍

Venue: Universal College Lahore, Pakistan

Organizers and Partners: Centre for Governance Research (CGR), Centre for Human Rights (CFHR) and Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC)

Purpose: The event aimed to strengthen partnerships between civil society, government, academia, and international organizations to combat transnational organized crime, including human trafficking, drug

smuggling, and arms trafficking. It sought to:

1. Facilitate dialogue among stakeholders.
2. Highlight Pakistan’s role as a regional leader in addressing organized crime.
3. Share insights and strategies to enhance prevention and resilience

Participants: The event brought together high-level representatives from government, law enforcement, academia and civil society. These included:

• 31 in-person participants
• 86 online participants

Event Breakdown

Introductory Remarks‍

Mr. Tariq Khosa (Director, CGR) highlighted the journey of Pakistan's initiatives against transnational organized crime, beginning with the formation of a civil society alliance in Islamabad in September 2022 and its representation at the 11th Conference of the Parties in Vienna in October 2022. The alliance now includes 35 civil society organizations and 65 international experts. He emphasized the importance of partnerships in fostering collective action and referred to Pakistan’s pioneering efforts as the first Asian country to launch a global conference on transnational organized crimes. He also mentioned the annual reports of 2022 and 2023, which reflect civil society perspectives on this critical issue.

Mr. Mark Shaw (Director, GI-TOC) underscored the global impacts of transnational organized crime, including its threats to security, high levels of violence, undermining of democracy and the rule of law, environmental destruction, and economic distortion. He stressed the need for data-driven analysis, strategic interventions, and enhanced international cooperation. Reflecting on Pakistan’s initiatives, he lauded its leadership in fostering resilience and partnerships, making it a model for other countries. Mr. Shaw also called for greater attention to prevention efforts, emphasizing the importance of frameworks for the rule of law and the need for comprehensive data collection and strategic implementation.

Mr. Ian Tennant (Chair, Alliance of NGOs on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice), emphasized the vital role of NGOs in combating transnational crime, highlighting Vienna's example of community and NGO collaboration under the UN Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime. He noted the Alliance's recent milestone: a declaration signed by over 200 NGOs in October addressing trafficking and 3other crimes. Tennant stressed the need to shift from a narrow security-focused approach to one that incorporates civil society's research and expertise. He celebrated the Alliance's achievements, including record civil society participation and the inclusion of indigenous representatives, while commending Pakistan’s leadership as a model for others to replicate.

Mr. Billy Batware (UNODC-Civil Society Unit) emphasized the crucial role of civil society in engaging with stakeholders to address transnational organized crime (TOC) and corruption. He highlighted the UN General Committee's March resolution recognizing civil society’s contributions. On the first International Day, he called for collective action, urging governments, academia, and other actors to collaborate on joint solutions. Batware commended Pakistan’s initiative in fostering international dialogue, showcasing its leadership in promoting cooperation and progress against TOC.

Ms. Lisa Hartevelt (Board Member, Alliance of NGOs on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice) highlighted new crime trends and the role of civil society in providing technical support and advancing resolutions adopted at the 12th session of the UN Convention against Transnational Crime. Ms. Anna Alvazzi (Board Member, Alliance of NGOs on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice) championed the adoption of the first Civil Society Declaration. Representing her NGO, she advanced initiatives under the Firearms Protocol, emphasizing collective responsibility and actionable efforts. She highlighted the October resolution on firearms as a key step, particularly for its focus on deterrence and the importance of civil society engagement.

Keynote Speakers

Mr. John Collins (Director of Academic Engagement, GI-TOC) discussed the establishment of a new observatory aimed at fostering strategic partnerships and advancing discussions on transnational crime. He highlighted the Global Initiative's commitment to Pakistan, noting the successful international collaborations over the past four years, particularly focusing on human trafficking and drug-related issues in Afghanistan. He emphasized the need to expand this reach, positioning Pakisaistan as a focal point for a Central South Asia observatory. Collins also introduced a project aimed at enhancing community resilience, addressing trafficking, and forming smaller civil society networks for the prevention of human trafficking.

Mr. Tariq Parvez (President, National Initiative against Organized Crime) launched the National Initiative in 2019 and as an expert on terrorism, emphasized the importance of raising awareness about organized crime and the need for international cooperation. He stressed the necessity of having resourceful individuals who can assess the scope of organized crime and expand preventive measures. Parvez called for the development of online courses to address organized crime and for a focused approach to specific areas in different countries. He pointed out that Pakistan's high ranking on the terrorism index is closely linked to organized crime, an issue that requires deeper analysis.

Mr. Muhammad Tahir Rai (Director General, National Police Bureau) highlighted the dual significance of organized crime, not only as a threat but also as a force that undermines the societal fabric. He stressed the need for better coordination among police sectors, the updating of criminal laws, and enhanced accountability. Tahir pointed out the high impact of trafficking, child labor, and illegal migration, withover 5,000 cases in 2023. He also identified cybercrime, illicit arms trafficking, and drug smuggling as pressing challenges. Tahir called for a unified approach involving both government and civil society, emphasizing the need for educational campaigns to curb organized crime.

Roundtable

Mr. Ambassador Mansoor Ahmad Khan (Director, Beaconhouse Center for Policy Research) acknowledged Pakistan’s challenges with organized crime, particularly at the borders. He stressed the importance of a synchronized approach between the government, civil society, and international partners to tackle these issues. Mansoor emphasized the role of civil society and the critical need for strong partnerships with institutions in the UK, Vienna, and Geneva. He noted that academia, especially the youth, plays a crucial role in addressing these challenges and shaping the future.

‍Dr. Ehsan Sadiq (Director General, National Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Financing of Terrorism Authority) emphasized that organized crime is a global challenge requiring collective action. He stressed the obligation of the international community to fight this menace through collaborative forums, as it cannot be tackled in isolation.

Ms. Sevim Saadat (Director Policy & Advocacy, CFHR) and Mr. Umar Khan (Executive Director, CFHR) emphasized the crucial role of civil society, academia, and society in combating organized crime, particularly through the generation of ideas. They referenced a recent study in Malaysia, highlighting how trafficking significantly impacts Pakistan’s economy, with substantial financial losses to traffickers and smugglers. They noted that Pakistan’s civil society is actively launching initiatives to address this issue within the country.

Participants such as Ms. Mechthild Geyer (Lecturer, Minhaj University) and Ms. Saba Sheikh (Executive Director, Dastak Society) shared insights on the socio-economic impacts of organized crime.

Ms. Mechthild emphasized the role of poverty and corruption in perpetuating migrant smuggling, while Ms. Sheikh highlighted the trafficking of women and children, stressing the need for legal reforms, counseling, and coordinated efforts between state bodies and civil society.

Ms. Shahzia Rafiq (Counsellor-Lahore, Migrant Resource Center) highlighted that this issue primarily affects the underprivileged, but it also stems from a lack of awareness. In Punjab and KPK, many trafficking victims are not necessarily impoverished, as they pay to leave Pakistan; however, they lack knowledge of legal migration pathways. The key suggestion is that prevention should be the focus, with a state-wide approach that emphasizes providing opportunities and security, rather than solely combating crime. Ms. Aliza Masood (Legal Officer-Punjab, National Commission on Human Rights-Punjab) called for the establishment of migration units, legal clarity, and education campaigns to reduce human smuggling.

Mr. Imran Keshwar (Deputy Inspector-General, Organized Crime Unit - Punjab Police) highlighted several systemic weaknesses, including flaws in laws and prosecution. A recent investigation into contract killings, such as the Lala Shabaz case in Lahore, revealed that international cooperation is lacking, and existing laws are insufficient to secure convictions. Perpetrators often evade justice due to weak legal provisions and the involvement of overseas beneficiaries. Additionally, the reliance on witness testimony, without proper forensic evidence, leads to acquittals. There is a lack of victim and witness protection, which should be addressed through a formal protection program. Strengthened international cooperation is essential, particularly for asset freezing and combating money laundering. Furthermore, there is a need to expand the monitoring of drug cartels, especially those operating through courier networks for narcotics trafficking.

Dr. Syed Kaleem Imam (Chief Coordinator, CGR) emphasized that developing countries bear the brunt of organized crime due to their geographic location and limited resources. He called for more than just domestic laws, advocating for sophisticated criminal legislation and coordinated international action to address the issue effectively.

Syed Zulfaqar Hussain (Director, Drug Advisory Training Hub), highlighted the increasing consumption of narcotics, with 10 million people now affected, up from 6.7 million in 2012 and 2013. He stressed the need for training programs and youth involvement to combat human trafficking, drug trafficking, and oil smuggling from Iran.

Mr. Azwar Shakeel (Consultant, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan) pointed out that human smuggling is often viewed solely as a law enforcement issue, neglecting its human rights implications. He argued that trafficking is seen as non-consensual, while smuggling is perceived as consensual. This narrative needs to be changed to bring to light the abuse, extortion, and torture faced by victims, which would help people recognize that smuggling often involves rights violations, not voluntary participation.

Closing Remarks

Mr. Tariq Khosa called for strengthened partnerships among government, civil society, academia, and international actors. He emphasized the importance of governance, the rule of law, and collective action to combat transnational organized crime effectively. Looking ahead, he outlined plans for key projects and initiatives over the next six to eight years, aiming to further civil society’s role in fostering resilience and addressing this global challenge.

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Unveiling of the Civil Society Declaration 2024

The event concluded with the unveiling of the Civil Society Declaration by Mr. Tariq Khosa, Mr. Sarmad Saeed (Deputy Director, NIOC), Mr. John Colling, Ms. Sevim Saadat, and Mr. Umar Khan, in the presence of all participants. The unveiling of this declaration underscores the collaborative nature of the event and sets the stage for future initiatives and continued engagement in advancing the cause.