This is Bob Cohen with the VOA Special English DevelopmentReport.
The first treaty to fight organized criminal groups around theworld is now a part of international law. The treaty went intoeffect last week. It is called the United Nations Convention againstTransnational Organized Crime.
The U-N Office on Drugs and Crime says about one-hundred-fiftynations have signed the treaty. These include the United States,Russia, China and most of the nations in Latin America.
So far, forty-eight of the countries have gone the next step andapproved the treaty. They are now expected to include the rules ofthe agreement in their local laws.
The treaty requires countries to approve a series of measures.One measure is to make it illegal to take part in an organizedcriminal group. Such groups are defined in the agreement as at leastthree people working together to carry out serious crimes forprofit.
The treaty also includes agreements for protection againsttrafficking in people. The U-N says criminal groups are using newtransportation and communication technologies to make huge profitsfrom their activities. These include moving immigrants illegallyacross borders. They also include transporting women and childrenfor use in the sex trade or as servants.
The United Nations estimates that this trafficking involves tensof thousands of women and children each year. They are brought fromdeveloping nations into Western countries and forced to work.
President Bush has promisedfifty-million dollars to help victims of the international sextrade. He made the promise during his speech before the UnitedNations General Assembly last month.
The new U-N treaty also requires that countries approve measuresto fight dishonesty by public officials. And nations will have tocooperate against money laundering. They will have to work togetherto find hidden money earned through criminal activities.
The treaty also sets new rules for countries to surrendersuspects for trial and to carry out joint investigations. Inaddition, countries must work to fight illegal trafficking infirearms.
The United Nations is to hold a conference in Vienna next year toexamine how the treaty against organized crime is working. Officialssay the treaty is a major step in efforts to support internationaldevelopment.
This VOA Special English Development Report was written by JillMoss. I’m Bob Cohen.