The Malta Independent on 31st March reported that the Council of Europe’s anti-corruption body, GRECO, has drawn up what sources described to this newspaper as a “damning” evaluation report on Malta, but the body is precluded from releasing its findings on the state of corruption in Malta until the Maltese government gives its consent. A GRECO spokesperson said that it is an “exception” that a country refuses consent to publish – such as in the case of Belarus, not a Council of Europe member state, and which has not yet authorised the publication of any GRECO reports. Malta’s last evaluation was in 2014. That report had deemed the Maltese government’s level of compliance with its recommendations on political funding as “globally unsatisfactory”. It also called for action on real or potential conflicts of interest, the introduction of proper laws governing rules on gifts to MPs, the misuse of public resources, the misuse of confidential information, revolving doors and third-party contacts.
Month: March 2019
TAXMAN KEPT QUIET WHILE £8 BILLION FRAUD HELPED FUND BIN LADEN
The Sunday Times on 31st March carried a report saying that criminals have stolen billions of pounds of British taxpayers’ money from VAT and benefit fraud and used tens of millions to fund terrorism, according to police and intelligence files. The gang, which has links to the 7/7 London bombings in which 52 people died, is alleged to have sent 1% of its gains, or £80 million, to al-Qaeda in Pakistan and Afghanistan, where it funded madrasahs, training camps and other terrorist activities, according to the leaked files.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/taxman-kept-quiet-while-8bn-fraud-helped-fund-bin-laden-wqkcsrdpz
NEW UN SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION CALLS FOR CRIMINALISING OF TERRORIST FINANCING ETC.
Now available, is the full text of the new UN SCR 2462 (2019) that reaffirms what previous Resolutions said in requiring all States to prevent and suppress the financing of terrorist acts and to refrain from providing support to those involved in them. It demands that Member States ensure that their counter-terrorism measures are in compliance with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, international human rights law and international refugee law. The Resolution also calls upon Member States to conduct financial investigations into terrorism-related cases and to more effectively investigate and prosecute cases of terrorist financing, applying criminal sanctions as appropriate.
UN AMENDS 6 ENTRIES ON ITS ISIL/AL-QAIDA SANCTIONS LIST
On 29th March, the UN advised that 6 entries on its Al-Qaida/ISIL sanctions list had been amended.
NEW REPORT EXAMINES THE IMPACT OF BREXIT ON GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS IN UK
On 30th March, an article on Ekklesia reported that the structures and functioning of UK government, Parliament and politics have been called into question following the 2016 referendum result, says a new report by the Institute for Government.
http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/27994
The report itself is available at –
https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publications/brexit-effect
EAST CHINA CUSTOMS CRACKDOWN ON CHARCOAL SMUGGLING
In its 30th March edition, Customs Today reported that customs officials have smashed a charcoal smuggling gang that illegally exported charcoal disguised as garments to Japan and South Korea. China imposed an export ban on wood charcoal in 2004. Smuggling over 10 tonnes of the cargo is a criminal offence in the country.
http://www.customstoday.com.pk/east-china-customs-crackdown-on-charcoal-smuggling/
MEDIA FACTSHEET: EU SETTLEMENT SCHEME
On 29th March, the Home Office released this factsheet on the Scheme which opens fully on 30th March. The deadline for applying if the UK leaves the EU with a deal will be 30th June 2021 and 31st December 2020 if there is a no-deal exit.
https://homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk/2019/03/29/media-factsheet-eu-settlement-scheme/
UK: CONTROL OF PREGABALIN AND GABAPENTIN UNDER THE MISUSE OF DRUGS ACT
Home Office Circular 019/2018 is concerned with legislation which takes effect from 1st April and which deals with control of pregabalin and gabapentin under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and scheduling under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001. Gabapentin and pregabalin are anticonvulsant drugs, and have an established role in the management of a number of disabling long-term conditions. However, pregabalin and gabapentin had been increasingly reported as drugs with a potential for misuse. They also present a risk of addiction and a potential for illegal diversion and medicinal misuse. Pregabalin and gabapentin are being classified as Class C drugs.
SUPERVISING THE UK AML SUPERVISORS: OPBAS FIRST ANNUAL REPORT
On 29th March, RUSI reported on the launch of the first annual report of the UK Office for Professional Body Anti-Money Laundering Supervision, saying that it signals a bold step forward for UK AML supervision, but many questions about the wider government supervision strategy remain unanswered. The article says that is not clear whether the government’s underlying intention with the creation of OPBAS was to encourage some players to simply relinquish their roles and, by proxy, give a greater lead to the state in AML supervision; this is certainly not the official line. However, this is not the only unanswered question. It also asks what happens if OPBAS advises HM Treasury to consider removal of a supervisor or indeed a supervisor decides to walk away – where does the supervised population go?
The report is available at –
FCA BANS SALE OF ‘GAMBLING’ BINARY TRADES TO CONSUMERS
ShareCast on 29th March reported that the FCA has imposed a permanent ban on the sale of binary options to retail consumers to cut the risk of fraud. All firms acting in or from the UK are barred from selling, marketing or distributing of binary options. It said binary options were gambling products disguised as financial transactions. The FCA had already adopted the EU’s temporary restrictions on the sale of binary options but it has now made the ban permanent starting on 2nd April.
raytodd.blog 