REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA COMBINED SECOND PERIODIC REPORT UNDER THE AFRICAN CHARTER ON HUMAN AND PEOPLE`S RIGHTS and INITIAL REPORT UNDER THE PROTOCOL TO THE AFRICAN CHARTER ON THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN IN AFRICA 489. In addition to enacting the above Act, South Africa became a party to three international instruments relevant to the prevention and combating of terrorism in 2003. These include the International Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings, the International Convention on the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism and the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against Internationally Protected Persons including Diplomatic Agents. We are also party to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) incorporated into our domestic law through the implementation of the Rome Statute of the ICC Act, 2002.258 490. Government has bolstered its efforts to ensure that all people in South Africa enjoy national peace and security. In addition, we have deployed our military personnel in a number of missions in conflict situations on the African continent as contribution towards the attainment of peace and security on the Africa continent and the world in general. 491. More than two decades after the adoption of the Palermo Convention on Transnational Organised Crime, countries, regions and the world in general are still grappling with challenges and threats posed by transnational organised crimes such as terrorism, corruption and money laundering. This is also applicable to South Africa. Although there are still debates in the world regarding the link between terrorism and other illicit crimes, the reality is that these serious crimes pose a threat to societies and economies around the world and require direct and effective responses from the global community. 492. There are global trends in transnational organized crime. During the last 15 years the world has seen an exponential increase in transnational organized crime, thus clearly showing that these crimes know no borders. Furthermore, economic and technological globalization has enabled criminals to move from so-called "low-level" activities like drug trafficking, prostitution and illegal gambling to "corporate" activities, like migrant smuggling, environmental crime, bank fraud, and large-scale insurance fraud. Internationally the globalization of transnational organized crime has been facilitated by factors such as the fading of borders and inadequate guarding thereof, the increasing global economy and free-market movement of goods and increased trade and reduced border checks which provide cover and markets for trafficking illicit products. Unanticipated new technological possibilities in traditional and electronic communication means that organized crime groups are now able to communicate covertly with relative ease and anonymity across jurisdictional boundaries. Technological advances have also facilitated large and rapid cash transactions in the layering stages of money laundering, while cheaper and faster transportation facilitate illicit trafficking. 493. The world has also witnessed emerging crime trends such as cybercrime, illicit trafficking in rhino horns and precious metals, to name but a few. There has also been a significant increase in the sophistication of organised crime syndicates through the use of complex networks and advanced technology. The inherently transnational and accessible nature of the internet fits perfectly into this and aids the conducting of these crimes. South 258 Act No. 27 of 2002 134