Financial Crime World

The Global Organized Crime Index (GOCI) Report: Nauru

Ratings: A Comprehensive Analysis

The GOCI report on Nauru provides a detailed assessment of the country’s efforts to combat organized crime. Here are the key ratings:

Overall Score

  • 2.3/10: Nauru’s overall performance in combating organized crime is poor.

Sectoral Ratings

Economic and Financial Environment

  • 4.5/10: While not ideal, Nauru’s economic environment has some positive aspects, but it remains vulnerable to corruption and abuse of power.

Security

  • 1.8/10: The country’s security situation is weak, making it an attractive target for organized crime groups.

Judicial Independence

  • 1.5/10: Nauru’s judicial system lacks independence, which hinders the effective prosecution of organized crime cases.

Human Rights

  • 1.5/10: The country’s human rights record is poor, particularly in regards to refugees living in the Regional Processing Centre for asylum seekers.

Corruption

  • 1.5/10: Corruption is a significant concern in Nauru, with reports of corruption linked to the Regional Processing Centre for asylum seekers.

Key Findings

Positive Aspect

  • Lack of organized crime: Nauru has no significant organized crime threat, which is a positive aspect.

Challenges

  • Weak institutions: The country’s weak institutions make it vulnerable to corruption and abuse of power.
  • Dependence on Australia: Nauru relies heavily on international cooperation, particularly from Australia, for law enforcement and border control.
  • Corruption concerns: There have been reports of corruption linked to the Regional Processing Centre for asylum seekers.
  • Human rights abuses: Refugees living in the centre face poor living conditions, denial of healthcare, and a high rate of self-harm attempts.
  • Lack of civil society actors: Nauru lacks civil society actors focused on organized crime or victim support.
  • Restrictions on freedom of expression: The government imposes restrictions on foreign journalists and has laws against defamation.

Recommendations

Enhance Capacity

  1. Improve judicial independence: Strengthen the country’s judicial system to ensure effective prosecution of organized crime cases.
  2. Enhance law enforcement capacity: Increase the ability of Nauru’s law enforcement agencies to combat organized crime.
  3. Address corruption concerns: Implement measures to address corruption linked to the Regional Processing Centre for asylum seekers.

Support Civil Society

  1. Support civil society development: Promote transparency and accountability by supporting the growth of civil society actors focused on organized crime or victim support.

Protect Freedom of Expression

  1. Strengthen freedom of expression: Remove restrictions on foreign journalists and repeal laws against defamation to protect freedom of expression.
  2. Protect journalists from harassment and intimidation: Ensure that journalists can report without fear of reprisal.