Vijitra Duangdee is a journalist based in Bangkok, Thailand.

Nations Must Work Together to Fight Online Fraud, UN Official Says

30 Sept 2023  |  www.voanews.com  |  English  |  International Cooperation

A top U.N. official emphasized the need for strategic and regional cooperation to combat the massive online fraud industry in Southeast Asia, which rotates operations among lawless areas. The fraud networks, run by Chinese gangsters, have swindled hundreds of millions of dollars through various scams. Cambodia has initiated a crackdown on cybercrime compounds, but the problem persists across the region. Victims, often lured by promises of high-paying jobs, face severe abuse and extortion. The situation remains dire, with ongoing efforts required from governments to address and disrupt these criminal activities.

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U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime United Nations Cambodia’s National Committee for Counter Trafficking

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Paula Dupraz-Dobias is a journalist based in Geneva, Switzerland, also working regularly in Peru.

Qatar’s Swiss hub for foreign policy

17 Nov 2022  |  SWI swissinfo.ch  |  English  |  International Relations

Qatar has strategically utilized Geneva's international diplomatic hub to enhance its global image through sports diplomacy and various initiatives. The Gulf state has invested heavily in infrastructure and sports, aiming to promote human rights, peace, and economic diversification. Qatar's involvement with numerous UN agencies and sports organizations has bolstered its international presence, despite ongoing controversies regarding human rights abuses and corruption. The country's efforts include significant contributions to the UN refugee agency and partnerships with the World Health Organization and the International Labour Organization. However, criticism persists over Qatar's human rights record and the authenticity of its reforms.

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UN Office on Trade and Development UN Human Rights Council UN Office on Drugs and Crime UN refugee agency United Nations FIFA International Centre for Sports Security Sports Integrity Global Alliance World Health Organization International Labour Organization

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Tom Fawthrop journalist aurhor & film-maker based in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Previously based in Phnom Penh /Manila the Philippines.
Covered many major events in Asia during last 40 years- Cambodia refugees 1979 Inside Phnom Penh 1981 rebirth from Year Zero.

Phillippine protest revolt after ...

High stakes as Laos turns to casinos

16 Jan 2011  |  South China Morning Post  |  English  |  Money Laundering

The article discusses the development of a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Laos by the King Romans Group (KRG), led by Zhao Wei. The SEZ aims to transform the Golden Triangle from a drug trade hub into a tourist destination with casinos, nightclubs, and other amenities. Despite significant investments and promises of economic benefits, there are concerns about money laundering and the demographic impact of creating a Chinese enclave. The project has received mixed reactions, with some local and international stakeholders expressing skepticism about its funding sources and potential negative consequences.

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UN Office on Drugs and Crime Laotian Government Macau-Asean Business Association Lao National Assembly Lao-China Friendship Society

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Hello, 
I am Irfan Haider - Video Editor / Animator, having 12+ extensive experience in my field. 

From documentaries to promos, news stories to TV shows, Video songs and Web Stories, I can provide all kinds of services related to Video Post Production. I have expertise in Adobe Premiere Pro, ...

7 dead as series of blasts rock Indonesian capital

14 Jan 2016  |  www.dawn.com  |  English  |  Public Safety

A series of explosions and gunfire in Jakarta left seven people dead, including four attackers. The attacks occurred in multiple locations, including near the Pakistani and Turkish embassies and a Starbucks cafe. Indonesian police have arrested four suspected militants and are investigating the incidents. The attacks have been condemned by both Indonesian and Pakistani leaders, with President Jokowi Widodo urging the public not to be afraid. The situation is now under control, but authorities remain cautious of further threats.

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UN Office on Drugs and Crime Jakarta Police Pakistani Government Indonesian Government

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Luke Hunt is a journalist and author based in Hong Kong.

Chinese Tourists Have Good Reasons Not to Return to Southeast Asia

27 Sept 2023  |  thediplomat.com  |  English  |  Political Instability

Mainland Southeast Asia, once a top tourist region, has seen a decline due to authoritarian regimes, preference for Chinese currency, and the impact of COVID-19. Human trafficking, particularly in Cambodia and Myanmar, has further tarnished the region's image. A Chinese film, 'No More Bets,' and a UNODC report have highlighted these issues. Chinese tourists are now favoring destinations like Macau, and Beijing is encouraging domestic spending. Vietnam, with strong trade ties to the U.S., is distancing itself from its pro-China neighbors in the CLMV club.

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Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime ASEAN

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A freelance political journalist, columnist, commentator and editor...

David Hutt is a political journalist based between the Czech Republic and Britain. He focuses on European foreign policy, Central European politics, and relations between Europe and Asia. He is also an expert on Southeast ...

Southeast Asia’s ‘narco-state’ and ‘scam-states’ undercut authoritarian rule boasts

22 Dec 2023  |  Radio Free Asia  |  English  |  Corruption

The year 2023 has seen significant disorder in Southeast Asia, with ongoing war in Myanmar and a rise in crime and drug trafficking. The region's authoritarian regimes, including Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos, are criticized for their inability to maintain stability and order, with some countries being labeled as 'narco-state' and 'scam-states.' The article highlights the failure of ASEAN to address political violence, the increase in opium and methamphetamine production in Myanmar, and the proliferation of scam industries in Cambodia and Laos. Corruption and political protection of criminal activities are also discussed, undermining the claims of authoritarian regimes to provide stability and prosperity.

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Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime ASEAN Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Vietnamese Communist Party

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****

Afghan opium crop set for record high

12 Nov 2014  |  the Guardian  |  English  |  Afghanistan

Afghanistan's opium crop is set to reach a record high, with cultivation rising 7% to 224,000 hectares and production potentially hitting 6,400 tonnes, a 17% increase. The UN Office on Drugs and Crime reports that southern provinces, particularly Helmand, are driving this surge. The opium trade finances Taliban operations and contributes to systemic corruption within the Afghan government. Despite international efforts, eradication campaigns have largely failed, with local governors reducing eradication efforts by 63%. President Ashraf Ghani aims to tackle the drug problem through economic incentives and alternative crops, though challenges remain. Some experts suggest legalizing the drug as a potential solution.

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UN Office on Drugs and Crime United Nations Taliban Afghan Government US Government British Government

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Antoine Mouteau is a journalist, freelance correspondent in The Netherlands for frenchspeaking media.

Alleged Asian Drug Syndicate Kingpin Tse Chi Lop Arrested in the Netherlands

24 Jan 2021  |  International Business Times  |  English  |  International Arrest

Tse Chi Lop, the alleged leader of Asia's largest crime syndicate known as 'Sam Gor' and one of the world's most wanted men, has been arrested in the Netherlands. The arrest was made at Amsterdam's Schiphol airport following a request from Australia's federal police. Tse, a Chinese-born Canadian citizen, is accused of being a major drug kingpin likened to Mexico's 'El Chapo'. Dutch police confirmed the arrest and mentioned that Tse is awaiting extradition proceedings at Australia's request. The Australian police have linked Tse to a large-scale operation that captured 27 individuals involved in drug trafficking in 2012-13. The syndicate is known for producing and supplying methamphetamines globally, laundering money through Southeast Asian businesses. Australia's attorney-general is preparing a formal extradition request for Tse to face trial.

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UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Europol

Timothy Obiezu is a multimedia journalist with years of reporting and broadcast experience. He freelances for global media outlets like VOA, TRT World, Vice News, etc from his current based in Abuja, Nigeria.

Nigeria Commemorates World Day Against Trafficking in Persons

30 Jul 2023  |  www.voaafrica.com  |  English  |  Human Rights

Nigerian human rights groups concluded a weeklong campaign to mark World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, responding to U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime reports highlighting Nigeria's low conviction rates for human traffickers and its role as a significant source, transit, and destination for trafficking activities in Africa.

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U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime

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Vienna-based reporter/correspondent with (7+ years) experience working for international news channels. I'm a German native available in English, Italian, and French.

My equipment: Sony FX30, Insta360, battery-powered Lights, Rode wireless go II, Macbook pro (adobe premiere).

UN says reported cases of human trafficking hide a much bigger problem

24 Jan 2023  |  www.euronews.com  |  English  |  Pandemic Impact

The UN has expressed concern that the pandemic may have obscured the true extent of human trafficking, as registered cases fell significantly during the health crisis. Experts believe that crimes such as trafficking, prostitution, and forced labor may be moving further underground. In 2020, there was an 11% drop in detected human trafficking cases worldwide, with variations between regions. East Asia and North Africa saw cases halved, while Europe and North America experienced increases due to more investigators and resources. The UN fears that this decline in detected cases, the first in 20 years, may become the new normal, making the crime harder to uncover. Traffickers reportedly used the pandemic to grow their criminal networks undetected, prompting calls for new approaches to effectively combat human trafficking.

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UN Office on Drugs and Crime

Charlene Rodrigues is a journalist based in Sana'a, Yemen. Previously she worked for Thomson Reuters, RAI TV, ITN, World Service and BBC 5live. She has featured on BBC World, France24, CBS radio, CBC TV, FOx news, covering the recent fall of Yemen's government. She has written for publications in ...

Fentanyl: More people injecting drugs worldwide, says UN

26 Jun 2023  |  BBC  |  English  |  UN Report

A United Nations report reveals a significant increase in the number of people injecting illegal drugs, with 13.2 million individuals reported in 2021, an 18% rise from previous estimates. Synthetic drugs like fentanyl and methamphetamine now dominate illegal markets. Drug use and related disorders have surged globally, with vulnerable groups including those with mental health issues, lower socio-economic backgrounds, and young people. North America and Eastern Europe show higher prevalence rates. The report highlights barriers to treatment, especially for women, and calls for stronger responses against drug-trafficking exploiting global crises.

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UN Office on Drugs and Crime United Nations

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Catrina Stewart is a freelance journalist based in Nairobi, Kenya. She has worked primarily for the Independent, but has also contributed to the Sunday Times, the Observer, Vice News and others from East Africa. Prior to arriving in East Africa, she worked as a journalist in the Middle East, mainly ...

Pirates Could Make a Comeback as Illegal Fishing Returns to Somalia's Coast

01 Oct 2023  |  www.vice.com  |  English  |  Somalia

Illegal fishing by foreign fleets in Somali waters is threatening local communities and could lead to a resurgence of piracy. Despite the presence of international naval forces, illegal fishing persists, causing significant economic harm to Somali fishermen. Local fishermen, like Musa Mahamoud, face dwindling catches and increased danger, leading some to consider returning to piracy. Organizations like Adeso and Secure Fisheries highlight the economic impact of illegal fishing, while experts warn that the region could see a new wave of piracy if conditions do not improve. The article criticizes international efforts for focusing on piracy without addressing its root causes.

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UN Office on Drugs and Crime NATO European Union Adeso Secure Fisheries Puntland Maritime Police Unit

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I am a UK-based freelance journalist writing about conflict, migration and human rights. I have reported from Myanmar, Thailand, Greece and the UK. My written work has appeared in IRIN News (now The New Humanitarian), Roads & Kingdoms, The Diplomat, and Dutch magazine De Groene Amsterdammer. I have ...

Legacy of conflict

31 May 2016  |  www.himalmag.com  |  English  |  Peace Process

Mar Lar and her family fled the intense conflict in Laukkai, Myanmar, as the military targeted the Kokang, an ethnic Chinese minority. The conflict has been described as the largest since Myanmar's independence. The government's push for a nationwide ceasefire agreement excluded certain ethnic armed groups, leading to criticism and further division. The Kachin Independence Organisation remained a powerful voice in ceasefire talks, despite a lack of trust in the military. The ceasefire agreement signed by some groups in 2015 led to more conflict, with alliances shifting and non-signatories like the Kachin and the United Wa State Army distrusting the process. The NLD-led government, with Aung San Suu Kyi at the helm, faces challenges in negotiating a truce to end the civil war. The peace process is complicated by the military's involvement in politics, the role of militias, and the illicit drug trade, with some armed groups implicated in narcotics production and trafficking.

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UN Office on Drugs and Crime Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army Tatmadaw Kachin Independence Organisation United Nationalities Federal Council United Wa State Army National League for Democracy Myanmar Peace Center

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William Wroblewski is a journalist based in La Paz, Bolivia. Living and working in the region since January 2014, he is the rare local producer who both knows the area intimately, and also has also worked with global-level media organisations and companies and understands the ever-changing media ...

Bolivian bees under threat from coca pesticides

05 Oct 2023  |  sg.news.yahoo.com  |  English  |  Pesticides

In Bolivia's cloud forest, the bee population is under threat due to the increasing use of pesticides to protect coca plantations, the region's primary cash crop. Environmentalists and beekeepers report significant hive losses, while coca farmers, aware of the environmental impact, feel compelled to use pesticides to protect their livelihoods. The expansion of coca cultivation has led to the destruction of native forests and increased pesticide use, exacerbating the decline in bee populations. Experts also cite climate change and other human factors as contributing to the problem.

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UN Office on Drugs and Crime San Andres University

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