The Illegal Wildlife Trade in Southeast Asia

Foreword
Acknowledgments
Acronyms and abbreviations
Executive Summary
	The key findings:
	The recommendations:
1 Introduction
	Purpose of the report
	Methodology
		Definitions
		Semi-Structured Interviews
		Desk Research and Open Source Media Mapping
	References
	Notes
2 Key Findings and Detailed Recommendations
	Regional context for combatting the illegal wildlife trade
	Multi Agency Co-ordination and Multi-National Co-operation: keys to tackling the illegal wildlife trade
		There are mixed results on the uptake and performance of multi-agency task forces
		International Co-operation at a regional level (among ASEAN members) is progressing, but further efforts are needed to ensure successful co-operation against illegal wildlife trade
		Bi-lateral co-operation is relatively strong at the regional level, but gaps remain between illegal wildlife trade counterparts further afield in Africa and Europe
		Throughout all countries, there is an important role for non-government actors in the wildlife enforcement process
	Closing gaps in the legal and regulatory framework is essential to overcoming wildlife crime and preventing opportunities for criminal entrepreneurs
		Local species fall victim to loopholes through captive breeding schemes
		Legal reforms to close gaps are emerging, but a number of challenges and inconsistencies remain
	Targeted efforts are needed to address corruption, which continues to facilitate the Illegal Wildlife Trade in Southeast Asia
		The body of evidence for corruption in illegal wildlife trade remains small and anecdotal
		OECD findings point to high corruption risks at national border crossings
		Investigations continue to focus on the predicate offense, instead of the underlying corruption risks (and corrupt actors)
		Awareness of corruption and wildlife crime is increasing, but at a national level, more anti-corruption efforts are needed
	Investigations into the illicit financial flows and money laundering investigations are necessary to deter and prosecute wildlife crime in full
		Financial investigations, asset seizures and money laundering investigations remain the exception to the rule in the region
		At the international level, knowledge of money laundering and wildlife crime is growing, however this does not translate into action on the ground
		Recent private sector initiatives highlight a willingness of the financial sector to engage against illegal wildlife trade, but more effort is needed from regional private sector actors
	References
	Notes
3 Multi-Agency and International Co-operation
	Introduction
	Multi-Agency Co-ordination and Task Forces
		Thailand
		Indonesia
		Singapore
		Viet Nam
			Engagement with Relevant NGOs and International Organisations (IOs)
	International Law Enforcement Co-operation
		Extradition and Mutual Legal Assistance
		Joint International Investigations
		International co-operation among law enforcement
		Regional Dynamics of Co-ordination in Southeast Asia
		International Dynamics of co-ordination
	Conclusion
	References
	Notes
4  Legal frameworks to deter and combat the illegal wildlife trade in Southeast Asia
	Introduction
	International Legal Frameworks
		CITES
		UNTOC
		UNCAC
		ASEAN Mutual Legal Assistance for Law Enforcement
		Assessing the International legal frameworks
			Technical Compliance with International Legal Frameworks
			Effectiveness of Current Implementation to Stop Wildlife Crime:
	National Legal Frameworks
	Legal gaps between implementation and enforcement of laws enable the sale and circulation of illegal wildlife trade
		Open Sale and Consumption of Smuggled illegal wildlife trade Products
		Captive breeding and the trade in live animals in illegal zoos
		Legislative reforms and amendments
		Legal Markets Put Added Pressure on National Entry Points:
	Conclusions
	References
	Notes
5  Corruption Risks and the Illegal Wildlife Trade
	Introduction
	International Responses to Corruption
	Corruption risks as facilitators of the illegal wildlife trade
		Literature Review and Open Media Mapping
	Institutional Responses to Corruption
		Public Awareness and engagement of civil society against corruption
		Overview of Anti-Corruption Frameworks in Relation to illegal wildlife trade
			Indonesia
			Thailand
			Viet Nam
			Singapore
	Corruption risks at national borders
		Corruption risks for Customs
		Corruption at Airports
		Corruption at Land Border Crossings:
		Corruption at Ports and Seaports
	Anti-Corruption efforts for other Environmental Crimes
		Corruption and logging crimes in Indonesia:
	Conclusion
	References
	Notes
6 Proceeds of Crime, Illicit Financial Flows and Money Laundering
	Introduction
	Overview of Frameworks to Combat Money Laundering
		International Standards on Combatting Money Laundering
		National Legal Frameworks
	Assessing Implementation of Anti-Money Laundering
		Capacity and Prioritisation Gaps for Money Laundering Investigations for Wildlife Crime
	Public-Private Co-operation to identify Money Laundering
	Conclusion
	References
	Notes
		Annex A. OECD Structured Interview Questionnaire
		Wildlife Crime: Research Questions
		National Conservation Authorities, National Police
			In your view, what gaps allows the illicit sourcing of illegal wildlife trade in your country (hunting, illegal/fake captive breeding, farm, etc.)
			Corruption and sourcing of illegal wildlife trade
			Gaps that enable illegal wildlife trade products to circulate (working and sale) within the economy
			Corruption and the circulation of illegal wildlife trade products within the economy
			Responses to illegal wildlife trade related crimes
		Customs and Border Police (Import/Export)
			What Gaps allow the illegal import of Wildlife products?
			What Gaps allow the illegal export of Wildlife products?
			Evidence of Corruption and Import of illegal wildlife trade products
			Evidence of Corruption and Export of illegal wildlife trade products
			Responses to illegal wildlife trade related crimes
		Anti-Corruption Authorities and illegal wildlife trade
			Evidence
			Causes and motivations for Corruption
			Institutional responses to Corruption
			Corruption Responses and Strategies
			Legislation
		Investigations and prosecutions
			Investigations
			Prosecution
				Annex B. Evaluative Assumptions for Analysing Institutional Capacities to Counter Illegal Wildlife Trade
		Assumption: Multi-stakeholder engagement is preferable to unilateral action
		Assumption: International Co-operation is more effective in tackling illegal wildlife trade than single-country enforcement
		Assumption: Prosecuting the wildlife trafficking alone is not as effective as sanctions for which wildlife crime or smuggling is a predicate crime
		Assumption: A strong legal framework with well-implemented laws is more effective than a set of laws with gaps or overlaps
		Assumption: Anti-corruption measures are an important tool to combat wildlife trafficking
		Assumption: ‘Follow the money’ approaches to illegal wildlife trade are an effective tool to counter illegal wildlife trade
Annex A. OECD Structured Interview Questionnaire
Annex B. Evaluative Assumptions for Analysing Institutional Capacities to Counter Illegal Wildlife Trade