Financial Crime World

The Challenges of Organized Crime, Corruption, and Human Trafficking in Equatorial Guinea

Equatorial Guinea is a country facing significant challenges when it comes to organized crime, corruption, and human trafficking. The following points highlight the key issues that need to be addressed:

While Equatorial Guinea has ratified international legal instruments related to organized crime, there are some notable exceptions.

  • International Agreements: Despite its efforts, Equatorial Guinea is not a party to key international agreements regarding corruption and bribery.
  • Need for Reform: The country needs to strengthen its legal framework to combat corruption and bribery effectively.

Criminal Justice and Security

The judicial system in Equatorial Guinea faces several challenges:

  • Lack of Independence: The president serves as the chief magistrate, which raises concerns about the independence of the judiciary.
  • Limited Presence: Law enforcement has a limited presence in major cities and rural areas, leading to a lack of effective policing.
  • Extortion: Law enforcement officials are often involved in extortion, undermining trust in the system.

Economic and Financial Environment

The country’s economic and financial environment is also vulnerable to organized crime:

  • Weak Anti-Money Laundering Laws: The implementation and enforcement of anti-money laundering laws are weak, making it easier for criminals to launder money.
  • Extractive Industries: Proceeds from the extractive industries, including oil, gas, and timber, are the most likely sources of laundered money.

Civil Society and Social Protection

Despite efforts to develop formal victim screening and referral procedures:

  • Low Referrals: Identification and referrals to protective services remain low.
  • Limited Services: The anti-trafficking law mandates providing legal assistance, psychological and medical care, lodging, food, access to education, training, and employment opportunities to trafficking victims, but it does not provide these services to any trafficking victims.

Human Rights

The country faces significant challenges when it comes to human rights:

  • No Independent Media: There is no independent media in the country.
  • Censorship: Censorship is deeply implemented, and domestic broadcast media is restricted.
  • Freedom of Association and Assembly: Freedom of association and assembly is severely curtailed.

Internet Control

The government heavily controls the internet:

  • Blackouts: Internet blackouts occur during specific events, such as elections.
  • Cyberspace Surveillance: They use cyberspace surveillance systems to monitor political opponents and human rights activists.