Transnational Organised Crime in International Law

(Hardback)

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There is extensive and detailed academic literature on the legal development of international crimes such as war crimes and crime against humanity. However, not much attention has been paid to other serious crimes, including narcotics-related offences, human trafficking and money laundering, which do not necessarily amount to international crimes in the traditional sense. The purpose of this monograph is to fill this gap and offer a critical analysis of developments in the field of transnational organised crime under international law. The book is divided into two parts. Part I is entitled "Norms, Principles, and Concepts." It traces the history of organised crime and explores key concepts and norms relating to the practice from a multi-disciplinary perspective. It then looks at legal obligations imposed upon States as well as non-State actors in relation to transnational organised crime. Part II illustrates how these norms, principles and obligations are translated and enforced in practice. This will be done through case studies at the level of national law (Thailand, Serbia and the UK), regional law (European Union) and international law (United Nations). "A book of many parts, its thematic coherence comes from its devotion to identifying the social threat posed by organised crime and the legal steps taken at the international and national levels against that threat. Rich with example and illustration and written in a light, direct, style, it will provide a lucid guide for practitioners, policy-makers and students to the largely untraversed territory of the international legal system set up to suppress transnational organised crime." Professor Neil Bolster, University of Canterbury, New Zealand. "...the international law governing organized crime is a close relative of the body of law applicable to the International Criminal Court and similar institutions. It provides a forum to address issues of more general concern, such as the scope of universal jurisdiction, immunities, statutory limitation and extradition. Tom Obokata's study, with its original and in some ways unique perspective, enriches our knowledge of the field". Professor William Schabas, Irish Centre for Human Rights. "The book is well written, its documentation is quite exhaustive, and its thesis is timely and compelling." Professor M. Cherif Bassiouni, DePaul University College of Law.

Reviews

Tom Obokata has written the most useful and comprehensive book that sheds light upon the complex relationship between organised crime and international law. As both crime and law become evermore 'transnational' it is essential that concerned police officials, lawyers and judges as well as academics have such well researched in-depth assistance which is what this excellent work provides. Written in a very readable and lucid style it should form part of every international lawyer's library H. E Judge Howard Morrison, ICTY ... a welcome addition in a research field which has seen significant developments in the last years, but a relatively low number of scholarly works. ... a thorough analysis of the relationship between organized crime and international criminal law Francesco Calderoni The European Journal of Criminal Policy and Research April 2011

Author Bio

Tom Obokata is a Lecturer in Law at the Queen's University, Belfast.