International Crime Flashcards
What is an international crime?
a broad term covering any crime that is punishable by a state, but has international consequences
What are the categories of international crime?
Crimes Against the International Community - refers to a most serious crime, of concern to the international community as a whole, and recognised by the international community as requiring punishment
Crimes Against Humanity - refers to acts committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against any civilian population
Transnational Crimes -refers to crimes that occur across international borders
How does Australia deal with crimes against the international community?
Australia was one of the first signatories/ratifiers of the Rome Statute
Prior to the Rome Statute, Australia legislated to criminalise some international crimes under the War Crimes Act 1945 (Cth) and Geneva Conventions Act 1957 (Cth)
Any crime against the international community outlined in the Rome Statute is also a crime in Australia, but there have yet been no prosecutions under the Act
How does Australia deal with transnational crime?
Australian Federal Police - the AFP have posts in more than 25 countries and operate counter-terrorism and human trafficking operations
Commonwealth Attorney General’s Department - reports and provides valuable advice on Australia’s compliance with international obligations
Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission - delivers specialist law enforcement capabilities to assist in investigating and analysing transnational crime
What are international measures in response to crimes against the international community?
Courts & Tribunals - before the establishment of the ICC, international crimes were usually dealt with by ad hoc tribunals for specific issues
This included the International Criminal Tribunal For Rwanda
Extradition Treaties - the process whereby one country surrenders a suspect to another country to face criminal charges or sentencing
It is generally governed by bilateral agreements - Australia has 130 around the world
What are international measures in response to transnational crime?
International Criminal Police Organisation - largest international police organisation, established in 1923 to facilitate collaboration between intelligence forces
United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organised Crime (2000) - the main international instrument in the fight against transnational organised crime
Signature states commit themselves to harmonising domestic laws
Pacific Transnational Crimes Network - a 2002 initiative of the AFP that has created a regional network of transnational crime units in Pacific states
