On March 14, 2024, the European Parliament adopted an unprecedented resolutionon the return of Romanian national treasure illegally appropriated by Russia. The Parliament, in a historic vote, has approved a motion submitted by the Romanian MEPs and passed a resolution, through which MEPs have nearly unanimously asked that Russia return Romania’s treasure and that the EU executive and other competent European institutions do everything possible to support this approach.[1]

On February 22, 2024, Human Rights Watch issued a report on the targeting by governments of their dissidents abroad and made recommendations on responding to the repression.  The report covers over 100 cases of transnational repression.  It includes more than 75 cases from the past 15 years, committed by over two dozen governments across four regions. 

This book discusses the drug trade, crime, terrorism, and cyber threats in the Caribbean.  The book‘s theme is that cross-border Problems Without Passports (PWPs) have rocked the very foundation of nation states.  The book looks at the regionwide impact of PWPs and the complex security and sovereignty issues.

On March 6, 2024, in recognition of the 25^th anniversary of the Washington Conference Principles, 44 countries signed an agreement in Washington D.C. to strengthen those guidelines.  The new agreement, “Best Practices for the Washington Principles on Nazi-Confiscated Art”, clarifies ambiguities that have created varying interpretations and inconsistent applications.[1]

On March 8, 2024, a federal grand jury in Brooklyn, New York charged a Chinese man in a four-count indictment with smuggling eastern box turtles, a protected wildlife species, from the United States to China for the global pet trade black market.

On March 1, 2024, Judge Liles C. Burke, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama (Northeastern Division) issued a 53-page memorandum opinion, declaring that the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) “exceeds the Constitution’s limits on the legislative branch and lacks a sufficient nexus to any enumerated power to be a necessary or proper means of achieving Congress’ policy goals.” Judge Burke granted plaintiffs’ National Small Business United (NSBA) and Issac Winkles, an NSBA member and owner of two small businesses, motion for summary judgment.  [1]

On March 4, 2024, the United States arrested Michael Hart of San Diego, charging him with smuggling potent greenhouse gases into the U.S. from Mexico and selling them for profit, in violation of regulations meant to curb the use of greenhouse gases and slow climate change.

On March 1, 2024, Kenya and Haiti signed a reciprocal agreement on police cooperation.  The agreement apparently will enable Kenya to send a contingent of 1,000 police officers to Haiti to lead a multinational mission to restore law and order in Haiti.[1]

A series of documents that leaked from the Sichuan branch of Shanghai Anxun Information Technology Co., Ltd. (“I-Soon”) in mid-February 2024 have revealed crucial details about the manner in which the Chinese government outsources the hacking of domestic and foreign entities.  The firm’s leaked records reveal it to be one of hundreds of private enterprises contracted to conduct state-sponsored hacking in an effort by the Chinese government to leverage private sector cybersecurity talent for state goals.[1]

On February 23, the Financial Action Task Force concluded the fifth plenary under the Presidency of T. Raja Kumar of Singapore. 

New Guidance for R. 25 on Beneficial Ownership and Transparency of Legal Arrangements

FATF’s issuance of new risk-based guidance for the implementation of Recommendation 25 on the beneficial ownership and transparency of legal arrangements finishes FATF’s work to strengthen the transparency of beneficial ownership internationally.