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Council of Europe Laundering Convention: A Recent Example of Developing International Criminal Law

NCJ Number
136414
Journal
Criminal Law Forum Volume: 2 Issue: 3 Dated: (Spring 1991) Pages: 419-468
Author(s)
H G Nilsson
Date Published
1991
Length
50 pages
Annotation
The internationalization of crime is a fairly recent phenomenon, primarily due to external factors such as the increased mobility of persons, better communications, an improved standard of living, and more open borders. The Council of Europe Convention on Laundering, Search, Seizure, and Confiscation of the Proceeds From Crime, adopted in September 1990, is an example of the ways in which international organizations have been instrumental in developing international criminal law.
Abstract
It appears the Laundering Convention will be vigorously implemented and will further increase the importance of the Council of Europe as the regional forum for discussing international criminal law. The Convention is designed to facilitate international, not just European, cooperation regarding investigative assistance, search, seizure, and confiscation of the proceeds from all types of criminality, particularly drug offenses, arms dealing, terrorist offenses, trafficking in minors, and prostitution. The Convention is divided into four chapters, the first of which provides definitions important to understanding the following provisions. The second chapter concerns measures to be taken at the national levels and obliges signatories to adopt legislative and other measures to give effect to the aims of the convention by criminalizing laundering. Chapter III discusses international cooperation in law enforcement, while Chapter IV consists of the final provisions. 71 notes and 1 appendix