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史上最大宗動物犯罪 非洲緝獲數量龐大象牙

2009年12月03日
摘譯自2009年11月30日,ENS肯亞,奈洛比報導;王茹涵編譯;蔡麗伶審校

肯亞野生動物局及國際警察組織11月30日表示,一項史上最大的國際野生動植物犯罪掃蕩行動,於東非六國查緝超過兩噸的象牙,並逮捕超過百人。

由於行動仍在持續中,除肯亞外,其他五國仍未公布細節。肯亞當局也仍在調查當中。此次行動由國際警察組織籌劃協調,並由野生物犯罪工作小組支援。

包括居中協調的肯亞在內,所有參與行動的國家皆同步打擊國內非法市場,目的在於防範非法象牙交易者跨越邊境。

這項針對地方象牙市場、機場、邊境與走私點的國際掃蕩行動同時也查獲非法走私的槍砲彈藥、車輛、豹皮及其他野生物產品。

國際警察組織行動助理楊格表示,非法象牙貿易並不是只是走私與盜獵,影響層面擴及整個野生物犯罪。執行法律的官員被殺害;人民受暴力脅迫;貪污與整體國家經濟都與此有關。

他繼續表示,讓這些非法產品從市面上消失固然重要,但不是問題的全貌。這項名為「海岸行動」的查緝將會使非洲與其他地區可以執行法律,並找出走私者的路線、他們的連繫網絡,最終將可逮捕相關的犯罪人士。

非法的國內象牙市場以包含CITIES在內的數個保育組織調查而知。

2008年的巴芭行動是這全球系列行動的首例。

Tons of Ivory Seized in Africa's Largest Wildlife Crime Sweep
NAIROBI, Kenya, November 30, 2009 (ENS)

More than two tons of illegal ivory have been seized and more than 100 people have been arrested in the largest international operation targeting wildlife crime across Eastern Africa, the Kenya Wildlife Service and INTERPOL announced today.
As this operation is ongoing, so detailed results from the other five participating countries are not yet reported. Kenya Wildlife Service and the Kenya Police, too, are continuing their investigations. The simultaneous operation was coordinated by INTERPOL and supported by the INTERPOL Wildlife Crime Working Group.
With Kenya as the coordination center, all the participating countries struck simultaneously at the illegal domestic markets in a coordinated manner to ensure that illegal ivory dealers who would try to cross borders were intercepted.
The international sweep, which targeted local ivory markets, airports, border crossings and smuggling points, also resulted in the seizure of firearms and ammunition, vehicles, cat skins and other contraband wildlife products.

"The illegal ivory trade is not just about smugglers and poachers, there are far-reaching consequences to this and all wildlife crime," Younger said. "Law enforcement officers have been killed, people are threatened with violence, and corruption and the wider economic impact on a country are all linked to this type of criminality."

"While taking these illegal items off the market is important, it is not the whole story," said Younger. "What Operation Costa will also enable law enforcement both in Africa and further afield, is identify the routes being used by smugglers, their connections and ultimately lead to the arrest of other individuals involved in these crimes."

Illegal domestic ivory markets have been identified by nature conservation agencies, including the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.

Operation Baba, conducted in 2008, was the first in this series of operations planned worldwide.

 

全文及圖片詳見:ENS

作者

蔡麗伶(LiLing Barricman)

In my healing journey and learning to attain the breath awareness, I become aware of the reality that all the creatures of the world are breathing the same breath. Take action, here and now. From my physical being to the every corner of this out of balance's planet.