CHAPTER 5
Conclusion
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here are no quick fixes to the many problems plaguing law enforcement efforts to combat large-scale illegal logging. Clearly, concerted action is urgently needed to halt this destructive practice before it is too late. Experience has shown that strategies already in place to tackle the root causes of illegal logging are not, in and of themselves, sufficient to curb the loss of the world’s forests. Without an effective criminal justice system, efforts at prevention and deterrence will have no effect on organized crime or on corrupt officials looking to capitalize on a poorly designed system. Without the full support of the criminal justice system, the silo approach to addressing illegal logging will fail. However, provided that they are properly followed through, even small policy and operational changes can have a significant impact on this problem. As an initial step, countries should formulate a strategy at the policy level to help steer and resource the necessary operational changes. The main components of a strategy might include fostering international and domestic cooperation among policy makers and law enforcement authorities. It might also include the implementing of operational changes to help investigators and prosecutors systematically consider and apply a wide range of criminal laws and procedures in illegal logging cases. Most importantly, money-laundering legislation and asset confiscation laws should be employed wherever possible to recover the criminal proceeds of these crimes. This paper recommends that policy makers implement the following actions:
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Develop an integrated criminal justice strategy that adopts and implements clear and comprehensive policies targeting illegal logging’s features of corruption and organized crime, as well as its financial aspects. Improve domestic cooperation between agencies in the forest law enforcement and criminal justice sectors, using such tools as interagency commi ees or task forces. Adopt measures that will lead entities subject to anti-money laundering rules (for example, banks and financial institutions) to exercise enhanced due diligence for high-risk customers in the forestry sector. Adopt policies that will support and encourage NGOs’ efforts to raise awareness about illegal logging and to help detect these crimes. Call for criminal justice to be integrated as part of development assistance programs to combat illegal logging.
This paper also makes several recommendations for operational changes by law enforcement, investigators, and prosecutors: 39