Border Security
Matters
Welcome
Thomas Tass, Executive Director, BORDERPOL
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015 is already proving to be challenging for the global border security, traveller and migration management community as the mélange of economic, social and political issues that has roiled the world since 2008 continues.
We live in confusing times. Depending on the economist or politician, the global economy is either expanding or contracting. The standing of the global economy used to be a fairly exact science but for various reasons it is not so today. In today’s 24/7 news reporting environment enormous volumes of ostensibly contradictory information is continually being broadcast on the subject. What then can be said about the state of affairs within world’s border security, traveller and migration management community? Has trafficking in human beings been demonstrably reduced since 2008? Have the numbers of criminal indictments of persons involved in the trafficking of woman and children been appreciably increased. Is there palpably closer cooperation and more effective communication between law enforcement, NGO’s and IGO’s on the subject? Has drug smuggling and trafficking in counterfeit goods been eliminated since 2008? Have the number of organized crime groups involved in these activity been reduced? Has the movement to legalize drugs reduced smuggling of so called soft drugs? Has cooperation, communication and consultation between border service entities, national & regional police services, civil and military border guards, immigration and customs agencies and various associated taxpayer funded intergovernmental organisations improved since 2008? Has there been a demonstrable improvement in the standardization of services and an upgrade of the professional performance of border services and agencies? Has science and technology made security and traveller programs less costly since 2008? Has it had offered more
Vol: February 2015
Contents Agency News
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Remaining true to support of law enforcement on the border
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Highlights from 3rd World BORDERPOL, Congress
10 - 13
UK Election Time: The Battle Lines on Immigration and Border Control
14 - 15
What is Necessary for PNR to Work?
16 - 17
The Western and Arab Alliance together across the Levant Region in the fight against extremism 18 - 20 Human Factor in Security
22 - 23
Industry News
25 - 27
Product Update
28
News and updates form the Secretariat
29 - 31
effective systems with regard to data/privacy protection, more efficient traveller clearance systems? Has the legal and social systems of the international community improved refugee selection, protection and resettlement since 2008? Have the number of refugees that meet the UN definition decreased? During the last three annual World BORDERPOL Congress meetings in London and Budapest, as well as at the various workshops leading up to the Congress, these matters have been discussed and debated by law makers, leading academic and industry experts and frontline border management officials. The result of these undertakings brings incremental improvements in the border security, traveller and migration management communities’ ability to challenge the actions of international criminal groups. Successes are emerging as a result of our efforts to bridge communication, consultation and cooperation gaps that exist between the various stakeholders. BORDERPOL remains true to its support of law enforcement on the border as stated in Article 2 (b) of our Constitution. We will continue to work with our friends and colleagues around the world to improve global border safety and security “To promote safe and secure borders through good border governance and complementing the efforts of existing international organizations through dynamic and effective partnerships through global cooperation, communication and consultation among border security professionals;”.
Border Security Matters
www.borderpol.org
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