SECTION III: OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

Although Section II deals with the principal findings of the Crime Study in relation to offence types, it is important to have this report also consider other issues to assist Mauritius in the prevention and combating of existing and future crime in line with national and international processes and regulations. These issues refer to compatibility of the laws and international obligations; prevention strategies other than police-specific; and broad education and awareness needs.
Compatibility of the laws and international obligations
1. The study points to a number of new legislations related to different aspects of law and order. Aside from these new Acts and Bills, there are a number of older existing Acts that still regulate a number of offences and circumstances. At domestic level, it would be important to discuss the issue of harmonization of older and newer legislation as a matter of urgency. Similarly, in the international front there is a plethora of legally and politically binding commitments related to different aspects of the prevention and combating of crime that need to be taken into account to ensure compatibility of existing and newer legislation with these international obligations entered into by Mauritius.
2. As Mauritius enters into its rightful place in the regional and international arena, it will also have to take into account the responsibility of leading by example in ensuring compliance with international norms. This need must also be taken into account in the recommendations of this report.

Prevention strategies other than police-specific
1. Crime prevention is not only a responsibility of the police. All law enforcement agencies play a part in its delivery. Similarly, crime prevention must also be a co-responsibility of civil society in all its aspects. For this reason, an effective crime prevention strategy should also include educational elements, specific controls, and public awareness.
2. A particular issue of concern both in Mauritius and in the world is understanding principles of integrity in the pursuit of law, order, decent behaviour and ethical conduct. This does not only apply to issues such as controlling the emergence of corruption and corruptive practices among law enforcement agencies and government officials, but to ensure that the public at large and elements of civil society such as business, attempt to conform and maintain integrity and ethical norms in their everyday tasks.
3. It is important to note that the globalization of violence which includes the emergence of a much more powerful network of transnational crime organizations specializing in matching illegal commodities to illicit uses ( such as arms for drugs, money for trafficking in people, smuggling different types of commodities, and generating markets for drug consumption, etc); and the dynamics of a new type of economics of crime including better and more competitive black markets, as well as the use of technology and communications as a tool for crime, mobilize large sums of money. The preferred mode of action for this new economic crime modality is first and foremost to corrupt the systems that control the emergence of this illegal activity. If the criminals can first bribe and corrupt their way into a society, both through perverting the law and subverting the culture of the people, they do not need to engage in direct violence. For this reason, the issue of preventing crime through improving our understanding of integrity and our combating of corruption is critical to sustain our nation free of crime.

Broad Education and Awareness Needs
1. Mauritius is taking its place in a much changed global environment. Today the international environment is insecure. Emerging global trends that affect peace, security and safety across borders are impacting even the securest of nations. It is therefore an imperative that Mauritius has a good and early understanding of global concerns in general and regional needs in particular. This will allow for early preventative action and coordinated responses to emerging international security threats. It would be critical that the Mauritius society, as well as its administration enhance their capacity to follow and respond to international events and have the ability to analyse and organize proactively to meet the threats to come.
2. It is also important to note that there is a different trend emerging in the tourism industry worldwide that merits attention. Tourism has become one of the mainstays of the international economy, and yet the international context is seen as threatening to the safety of tourists due to international crime and terrorism. On the other hand, the competition and demands placed on the tourism industry sometimes lead the industry itself to unwittingly promote unlawful acts or serve as indirect movers of illicit goods.

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