ABSTRACT

Although the gangster Al Capone beat sundry murder charges, he was eventually imprisoned for tax evasion. Those countries concerned by human rights violations have four factors in their favor. Ironically, these factors are products of living in relatively democratic, free, tolerant, transparent, and accountable societies - the characteristics so anathema to the kleptocratic tyrants who oppress their own citizens. China and Russia are developing parallel financial networks to circumvent the West's dominant system and its sanctions. Yet, few of their own high net worth individuals invest domestically because of their home countries' opaque banking systems, unpredictable property laws, and weak legal systems that lack independence from the executive or legislative branches of government. The UN has little experience in enforcing targeted sanctions, and the time lag between approval and implementation allows targets to make other arrangements. Equally, flexibility and creativity, tempered by realistic aims, are needed to strike bargains with those whose help is needed to prosecute financial crimes.