While the intersection of terrorism and financial crimes has occupied center-stage in recent discussions of financial crimes, the extent to which perpetrators of mass atrocities and other gross human rights violations are motivated, sustained, and protected by their access to financial resources, is often underestimated. Black markets, trade in contraband, the plunder of natural resources, and other forms of lucrative criminal activity flourish in war and post-war environments. Exposing and preventing human rights abusers from enriching themselves can prove a potent tool in limiting their power and freedom.

On February 23 the U.S. Institute of Peace and the Coalition for International Justice (CIJ) sponsored a discussion about how to track financial transactions of human rights abusers using corporate registries and other techniques. Copies of the CIJ's new report, funded by a grant from the United States Institute of Peace, "Following the Money 101: A Primer on Money-Trail Investigations" were also distributed at the session.

Speakers

• John Fawcett
  Consultant, Coalition for International Justice; and Institute Grantee
• Trevor Sutton
  Coalition for International Justice; and Institute Grantee
• Steve Riskin, Introduction
  Grant Program, U.S. Institute of Peace