Elizabeth Morgan | The illegal trade in exotic animals, heritage artefacts, guns, and drugs

ILLEGAL TRADE is one of the reasons why Jamaica’s 2018 national trade policy promoted the mainstreaming of trade, ensuring that trade, legal and illegal, are reflected in the policies of the relevant ministries, department and agencies, and are taken into account by the private sector and civil society.

EXOTIC ANIMALS AND PLANTS

On Sunday, The Gleaner on its front page, highlighted the illegal trade in exotic animals in Jamaica. Jamaica is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and seems to have the required national legislation in place. Yet, The Gleaner article indicates that the illegal trade in exotic animals is an increasing problem. Importing exotic animals can be dangerous to the environment and human health. Plants being imported without the required permits can also be a problem. Jamaicans need to be aware of the dangers involved in the illegal trade in animals and plants. In this illegal trade, enforcement has been a challenge in Jamaica.

The other illegal trades we need to be concerned about are the import and export of historic heritage artefacts, narcotic drugs, and guns (small arms and ammunitions).

HISTORIC HERITAGE ARTEFACTS

There has long been concern that Jamaica might have lost important historic artefacts through unauthorised sale or theft as Jamaicans are not aware of their importance and value, and the national legal framework is not in place to prevent and prosecute theft.

Jamaica’s historic sites are largely open and neglected, and allowed to fall into ruins. There is no monitoring and thus anyone, local or foreign, can walk away with anything, large or small, that takes their fancy.

The illicit trade in historic artefacts is covered by the UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property (1970), and the UN International Institute for the Unification of Private Law Convention on Stolen or Illegally Exported Cultural Objects (1995).

It seems that Jamaica has not yet acceded to these conventions and is still working on the local legislation required. Note that the 1970 UNESCO Convention now has 148 signatories, including the Caribbean states of Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Grenada and Haiti.

This is an issue which Jamaica needs to address as it obtains and further seeks to have sites added to the UNESCO World Heritage list. Perhaps, we first need to attach importance to our heritage sites at the national level. As the late Martin Henry observed in his 2018 article, foreigners see the value and are more interested in the preservation of Jamaica’s heritage sites than are Jamaicans. Sadly, we are the ones losing out.

SMALL ARMS AND LIGHT WEAPONS

The illicit trade in guns, small arms, light weapons and ammunition is a major problem in this hemisphere and, particularly, in the Caribbean. The murder rate in the Caribbean is extremely high, perhaps, averaging about 30/100,000 across the countries and territories. Some of the highest annual figures for murder are in Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, and Haiti. The CARICOM countries have declared crime and violence a threat to public health. Leaders have also indicated that their countries are at risk of having their governance undermined by gangs in possession of illegal guns and ammunition. Haiti is a prime example.

The 2013 Arms Trade Treaty aims to regulate the trade in small arms. It was signed but not ratified by the USA. In addition, at the international and hemispheric levels, there are several treaties and instruments addressing the illegal trade in firearms and ammunition. You would not be wrong in thinking that the US is not adhering to most of these.

The source of most guns used in murders in the Caribbean is given as the USA. CARICOM countries have sought to engage US administrations on this illicit trade and to have them take measures to stem the flow of illegal guns and ammunition out of the USA.

However, until the USA takes action to address the lack of proper gun control in that country, it is feared that this issue will not be properly resolved. The US itself has over 47,000 gun related deaths annually. Several have been in the news recently. It is reported that illegal guns are also a very serious problem in the USA.

Until the gun lobby loses its power and influence in the USA, or US Congress decides to act decisively, we in the Caribbean are all faced with a critical and deadly problem.

NARCOTIC DRUGS

The other illegal trade which we in the Caribbean have been confronting for years is that in narcotic drugs. The trade in marijuana (ganja) has been a problem in Jamaica. The region being between South and North America has become a transshipment point for hard drugs, such as cocaine.

CARICOM countries have been cooperating with the USA and other countries to address this problem. There are existing agreements with the USA for interdiction.

Of course, there can be no supply without demand. The US seems always focused on addressing the sources of the supply. It is hoped that they are attaching the same importance to addressing the high demand in the USA and those involved based in the USA.

There is now a situation in the Caribbean in which the US military is carrying out an operation to address drug trafficking. Small boats are being blown up and it is alleged that they were engaged in drug trafficking and the drugs were destined for the USA. It is reported that no evidence has been provided.

CARICOM heads speaking at the UNGA were clear that US actions in the Caribbean must abide by international law.

Note that the US is not a party to the UN Law of the Sea Convention and the Agreement establishing the International Criminal Court.

It seems that concerns about illicit trade are overwhelming our legitimate trade.

Elizabeth Morgan is a specialist in international trade policy and international politics. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com