Natural Resources and Violent Conflict - WaterWiki.net

getting it done 243panels could prove useful in a negotiation process—in particular thoseof the Expert Panel on the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources andOther Forms of Wealth in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The impactof such a protocol on small-scale producers and traders, especiallyin developing countries, should be carefully assessed to avoid creatingfurther economic imbalance to their disadvantage.International Policing and Judicial Cooperation Organizations.International judicial and policing cooperation is essential to effectiveenforcement. Interpol provides a worldwide instrument of cooperation,crime analysis, and information dissemination, as well as forensicassistance between police forces. 25 Interpol has been active in the fieldof conflict resources by providing officers to UN expert panels, by participatingin regional and international meetings, and by conducting itsnormal activities (for example, arms trafficking, money laundering). Aspecialized branch within Interpol deals with the laundering of fundsderived from criminal activities (Fopac). 26 Although its focus has beenon the laundering of drug proceeds, its activities could include proceedsfrom conflict resources. The decentralization of Interpol intosubregional bureaus has enhanced regional cooperation, including onmatters related to the smuggling of conflict resources such as the cooperationof Southern African police forces on diamond smuggling andarmed conflicts through the Southern African Regional Police ChiefsCooperation Organization and its Agreement on Co-operation andMutual Assistance in the Field of Crime Combating, which allows for“police officers of the region to enter countries of other parties with theauthority to do so, for the purpose of police investigations, seizure ofexhibits, tracing and questioning of witnesses” (Msutu 2001).Other policing and judicial cooperation organizations that can assistenforcement efforts include the Centre for International Crime Prevention,which can assist countries in their ratification and implementationof international criminal law conventions and protocols; 27 the UNInterregional Crime and Justice Research Institute, which concentrateson research, training, and field projects; as well as the World CustomsOrganization, which can assist in tracking the trade in conflict resources,in particular through its network of regional intelligence liaisonoffices. A mapping exercise, identifying the relevant enforcementagencies, their links, and avenues for progress, could prove valuable.Certification InstrumentsLike targeted sanctions, certification instruments set up a discriminatoryregime allowing for selective access of resources to the market.Certification can be either mandatory or voluntary.