#33 Extortion racketeering in the EU: vulnerability factors

Author(s): Atanas Rusev,Lorella Garofalo,Elena Sciandra,Andrea Gimenez-Salinas,Carmen Jorda,Manuel de Juan Espinosa,Tihomir Bezlov,Margarita Gasparinatou,Irene Stamouli,Sofia Vidali,Marina Marchiaro,Valentina Giampietri,Radu Nicolae / Language(s): English / Publication Year: 2016

Extortion racketeering has been long pointed out as the defining activity of organised crime. Although in recent years this crime has not been among the top listed organised crime threats in the strategic EU policy documents, it still remains ever present in European countries. The seriousness of the phenomenon has been recognised at the EU level and the crime has been listed in a number of EU legal acts in the field of police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters. The report Extortion racketeering in the EU: vulnerability factors analyses extortion racketeering forms and practices in six EU member states. The analysis disentangles the risk and the vulnerability factors for enterprises in two business sectors – agriculture and hospitality – as well as in the Chinese communities. Drawing on the results of the analysis, the report suggests new policies for tackling extortion racketeering in the EU. This report has been produced with the joint efforts of the Center for the Study of Democracy, Instituto de Ciencias Forenses y de la Seguridad – Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Transcrime – Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore di Milano and Vitosha Research and with the support of Guardia Civil in Spain.

#34 Monitoring Radicalisation: A Framework for Risk Indicators

Author(s): Rositsa Dzhekova,Mila Mancheva,Nadya Stoynova,Dia Anagnostou / Language(s): English / Publication Year: 2017

Radicalisation processes impacting on disaffected and indoctrinated persons and the later involvement of some of them in acts of terrorism are of growing concern for European citizens, their governments and the wider international community. Addressing this threat requires effective prevention policies which some EU member states have been proactive in developing. Effective policies need reliable diagnostic tools designed to identify individuals and groups who might pose a threat. The publication provides a review of existing approaches and tools to identifying, monitoring and assessing radicalisation in Europe and beyond. It further offers a conceptual framework of radicalisation risk and vulnerability indicators and their interpretation as a basis for developing early-warning mechanisms for frontline practitioners in countries which are yet to develop specific prevention and counter-radicalisation policies. The target group of the guide are policymakers at national and EU levels, as well as practitioners directly involved in the prevention of radicalisation in Central and Eastern Europe and beyond.

#35 Situational Assessment of Extremist Trends

Author(s): Rositsa Dzhekova,Luděk Moravec,Pavlína Bláhová,Jan Ludvík,Libor Stejskal,Dia Anagnostou,Dimitris Skleparis,Nadya Stoynova / Language(s): English / Publication Year: 2017

Violent extremism is one of the major challenges Europe is currently facing. The threat is both external as well as internal as indicated by the rise in home-grown Islamist terrorists, as well as of nationalistic and anti-immigrant movements and far-right aggression. An accurate picture of the spread, nature and trends in the extremist and terrorist activity and actors is paramount to formulating strategic policy approaches and effectively allocating available resources. This publication provides a methodological framework for the establishment of a viable mechanism for monitoring and assessment of the state and developments over time in extremist acts and actors on the national level. The situational assessment is an instrument for systematic collection and analysis of statistical data, open source data and intelligence information pertaining to extremist actors and activities, for the purposes of developing regular situational reports of the spread, nature and trends in extremism and violent radicalisms. Following the application of the situational assessment tool, the publication presents main findings on extremist trends and monitoring capacities in three countries from Central and Southeast Europe: Bulgaria, the Czech Republic and Greece.

(Ne)zakonitost imenovanja upravnih odbora javnih ustanova u Tuzlanskom kantonu

Author(s): Ervin Mujkić / Language(s): Bosnian,Croatian,Serbian / Issue: 12/2013

Imenovanje i razrješenje članova upravnih odbora javnih ustanova u Federaciji BiH regulisano je zakonskim i podzakonskim propisima na entitetskom, kantonalnom i općinskom nivou. Odredbama Zakona o ministarskim, vladinim i drugim imenovanjima Federacije Bosne i Hercegovine, koji se primjenjuje na svim nivoima vlasti u F BiH, uključujući kantone, općine i gradove, utvrđen je otvoreni postupak izbora kojim se vrši konačno imenovanje i ponovno imenovanje na pozicije u reguliranim organima.

(Ne)zaštićenost trećih osoba ugovorima o osiguranju od autoodgovornosti u Bosni i Hercegovini

Author(s): Alma Smailhodžić / Language(s): Bosnian / Issue: 20/2017

Under the Motor Vehicle Damage Liability Insurance Contract, a legal relationship is established between the insurer and the insured. However, if in the traffic accident the damage is caused to a third person, that person is entitled to compensation directly to the insurer of the motor vehicle liability insurance contract between the insurer and the owner of the vehicle engine, but not according to the basis of this contract, but according to the basis of the law itself. For this this kind of insurance we call extracontractual or legal insurance. The circle of third persons, the people who have the right to compensation by motor vehicle use in the movement, does not have the same magnitude in all countries. There are many factors that influence the width of the circle of third persons (the level of economic and civilizational development, the material possibility of certain countries, etc.). The development of insurance law up to now shows the trend of expanding the protection of the damaged, as well as an ever smaller number of people and victims of traffic accidents who are left out of the law for compensation.

(Prawie) każda władza jest władzą pańską

Author(s): Andrzej Kojder / Language(s): Polish / Issue: 663/2016

(RE)SHAPING POLITICAL CULTURE AND PARTICIPATION THROUGH SOCIAL NETWORKS

Author(s): Marija Andreeva / Language(s): English / Issue: 2/2019

The influence of social networks is growing intensely. They do not only influence only certain aspects of our lives, but they also influence political participation and political culture. In recent years, this influence has been very notable. We have seen a change of policies as a result of pressure, a lot of significant political movements started via social networks. This paper concentrates on the influence of social networks on political participation and political culture. The paper tries to foresee the future implications and the intertwining of social networks and political culture and political participation. It also gives conclusions for the past, present and future implications and it gives a comparison between political participation before and after the rise of social networks. It also analyses the positive and negative implications that social network could have on political participation.

110 lat polityki publicznej w Wielkiej Brytanii (1910-2010)

Author(s): Piotr Jachowicz / Language(s): English,Polish / Issue: 1/2014

The subject of this study is the evolution of British public policy between 1900 and 2010 with to the special focus on budgetary, monetary and social policy, as well as policy towards the public sector. This period was characterized by a steady, yet non-linear rise in economic and social activity of the state. Sudden increases were caused by one of three categories of events: wars, economic crises and changes at the highest levels of government. As a result, the history of British public policy in between 1900 and 2010 is divided into the following stages: 1) 1900-1931 - decline of the liberal era; 2) 1931-1951 - steady increase in the state's economic activity; 3) 1951-1979 - systemic stabilization at a high level of state involvement in economic and social issues; 4) 1997-2007 - attempt to return to economic liberalism; 5) 2007-2010 - a period of volatility and the search for new public policy principles.

1927 Nüfus Sayimina Göre Aksaray Vilayetinin Nüfus Özellikleri

Author(s): İbrahim Öztürk / Language(s): Turkish / Issue: 03/2018

In the years of establishment of the republic a population census that allows to evaluate aspects of qualifications and quantity of community living in Anatolia, detailed records and data were not available. Ensuring the foundation of the nation-state for the newly established Republic of Turkey, determining the population in Anatolia through modern methods and population census in order to use the country's economic resources efficiently was very important. Therefore, Statistics Department was established in 1926 to designate qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the population of Turkey and determine the values related to population. The first general population census was carried out on October 28, 1927, after the census law was enacted on 2 June 1926. This census population includes social and economic data such as the marital status of the population, literacy status, disabilities and economic activities and this increases the importance of the 1927 General Population Census. The fact that the first population census realized by the Republican administration was carried out in accordance with the standards of the Western countries, is also important. In this study, the issues of the population of Aksaray province according to the results of 1927 General Population Census were evaluated. In the research, it was aimed to reveal the social, cultural and economic characteristics of the province of Aksaray in 1927, such as the male-female, literate, religious structure, used native language and profession of the population. About the research topic Prime Ministry Statistics General Directorate 1927 Public Census and various analytical texts published on population were examined and the demographic characteristics of Aksaray province were tried to be detailed within the information obtained.

2016 Ve 2017 Yılındaki Düzenlemelere Göre 5746 Sayılı Kanun Kapsamındaki SGK Primi İşveren Payı Desteğinin TMS 20 Uyarınca Muhasebeleştirilmesi

Author(s): Hakan Seldüz,M. Yılmaz İçerli / Language(s): Turkish / Issue: 5/2018

Multifarious incentives are provided for R&D, innovation and design activities with “The Law about Supporting R&D and Design Activities” numbered 5746, in 2008. Some articles of Law number 5746 was changed with Law number 6676 issued in 2016. In 2017, some changes were made over the present regulatory texts of Law number 5746 and some new regulatory texts were issued. Thus, incentives are made more attractive and also their acquisition circumstances and application conditions are made easier. TMS 20 is the accounting standard applied in accounting for, and in the disclosure of government incentives. It is indicated within TMS 20 that receiving manner of the incentive would not affect its accounting method. It is stated that incentives received either in cash or as a reduction of a liability to the government would be accounted for in the same manner. One of the incentives identified in Law number 5746, is SSI premium employer’s share support. Pursuant to regarding law, half of SSI premium employer’s share that is calculated over the wages earned from related efforts of the staff -who are employed in R&D, innovation and design centers and in projects approved by organizations defined in regulations- is being paid from the related fund in Ministry of Finance’s budget, if specified requirements are met. This paper comprises recognition of SSI premium employer’s share support which is defined in Law number 5746. To demonstrate calculation -in accordance with recent regulations- and recognition steps -pursuant to TMS 20- of SSI premium employer’s share supports for staff who have different qualifications, is set as objective of the study. A literature review is made over the legislations whole, which includes laws, by-laws and general communiques, and the related academic studies. SSI premium employer’s share support is explained in details after incentive elements defined within Law number 5746 are briefly summarized. The subject is tried to be concretized by giving epitomes about calculation and book entries of this support and obtained implications are summarized in conclusion section.

5018 Sayılı Kanun Kapsamında Kamu Kurumlarında İç Kontrol Sistemi: Maliye Bakanlığı Uygulamasının İncelenmesi

Author(s): Yunus Çalışkan,Yavuz Çiftci / Language(s): Turkish / Issue: 3/2017

Aim: With the Law No 5018 (Public Financial Management and Control Law), an internal control system was established to comply with international standards and European Union norms. Within this scope, a number of legal regulations have been made based on the COSO model in order to place internal control in all public institutions and organizations.In this study, the effectiveness of the Ministry of Finance internal control system, which pioneered the implementation of the internal control system in the public sector, was investigated.Method: In the study, the applicability of the system was investigated by examining the units of the Ministry of Finance for internal control,examining the web pages of the İKEP (Internal Control Standards Compliance Action Plan), the Internal Control Circular, the Internal Control Training Book and the central and provincial units. And the problems encountered in ensuring the effectiveness of the system.Findings: The Ministry of Finance has published internal control studies on the web pages of the Ministry's affiliated units where the structures such as the İYK (Monitoring Steering Board), SGB (Strategy Development Directorate) and DIYK (Treasury Monitoring Steering Board) were established in the organization structure for the internal control system.Results: The establishment of the internal control structure and the achievement of its effectiveness have not yet been reached in the Ministry of Finance. It has been concluded that the subject is not fully owned by the staff, the internal control sense is not established and more effective measures should put into practice

A New Order of Religious Freedom

Author(s): Richard John Neuhaus / Language(s): English / Issue: 2/2011

A perspective on conservation of underwater cultural heritage with reference to international conventions and administrative laws by the State

Author(s): Harsh Pathak / Language(s): English / Publication Year: 0

That sheer quantity of submerged human history has led monuments and wrecks to be considered in terms of “cultural heritage” rather than mere submerged objects. And it has become a subject of conservation through convention and proper legislation by the state as cultural heritage. It implies something worth preserving and warranted an active state legislative and administrative action for its conservation. This paper is based on importance of underwater cultural heritage (UCH) and UNESCO convention, as guiding principle for the state to frame appropriate legislation, regulations and administrative actions to conserve underwater cultural heritage.

A PROPOSAL CONCERNING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN INTERNATIONAL ENERGY LAW

Author(s): Mădălina Virginia Antonescu / Language(s): English / Issue: 1/2009

Within this article, we are trying to establish the necessary legal premises for the creation of a legal body of regulations concerning exclusively the realm of energy and the energy activities, from the perspective of the public international law. The public international law is here regarded as a general framework for the future international energy law. At present, there are some special international regulations with compulsory legal force, applicable to energy activities, especially the treaty of Energy Charter. There are also, international regulations with general incidence for the international energy law, such as the UN Charter, the Charter of the Economic Rights and Obligations of the States, the UNGA resolution no. 1803 from 1962 concerning permanent sovereignty of the state over its natural resources, the International Pacts from 1966, the 1958 Convention regarding the continental shelf, the UN Convention regarding the Sea Law, from 1982, and other international treaties, conventions or UNGA resolutions incident in this field. Therefore, it cannot be asserted that there are not legal regulations regarding international energy law. A process must be started at international legal level, in order to crystallize the specific IEL regulations, by starting with those regulations of public international law already in force. In this article, we prefer to connect fundamentally the international energy law with public international law, as a body inspiring the scholars in developing the energy regulations already in force and also, in elaborating some specific regulations regarding interstate relations as relations between sovereign entities (where states are not acting de iure gestionis, as a legal quality interesting the international commercial law and not IEL as a part of public international law). On the other hand, we cannot conceive a conflict between principles of public international law (applicable, in our opinion, de iure in the international energy law case) and the principles of international commercial law, because we do not consider IEL in this article, as a domestic law, and also, due to the sovereign quality (de iure imperii) of the state when entering into a legal relation on the public international law field (and consequently, on the IEL field).

A quarter-century of independent Ukraine. Dimensions of transformation

Author(s): Tadeusz A. Olszański / Language(s): English / Publication Year: 2017

On 24 August 1991, the Supreme Council of the Ukrainian SSR proclaimed independence, and on 1 December the same year, the Ukrainian people ratified that proclamation in a referendum. The new Ukrainian state had some very important assets, such as the peaceful path that led to its independence, the fact that its territory was uncontested and its civilian administration was established. They downside, which determined Ukraine’s fundamental weaknesses, was that like the other former Soviet republics, it had been part of the Soviet state and had no central state bodies of its own, such as a general staff, a bank of issue, or most of the necessary ministries. After nearly a quarter century of peaceful development, interrupted by the outbreak of the war in 2014, Ukraine is still weak, but at the same time it has consolidated internally and internationally, demonstrated its capacity to withstand armed aggression, and is actively looking for its place in the world. The country’s greatest success has been to raise a new generation of ‘natural-born citizens’ of Ukraine, while its greatest failure has been to succumb to the dramatic population decline with irreversible consequences, and to allow the impoverishment of the lower strata of society, typical for all the post-Soviet states. The present paper is not a history of independent Ukraine, but an attempt to present the main mechanisms by which the former Soviet republic has transformed itself into an independent state with a market economy. It is therefore mainly focused on internal developments in Ukraine.

A question on the state supremacy over the law: the context of reforming Ukraine’s criminal legislation

Author(s): YEVHEN SHEVCHENKO / Language(s): English / Issue: 14/2019

This paper represents an observational discussion on the essence of Criminal law, in the context of contemporary views on the body and its inter-relations with the state. By choosing a specific case of a particular country (Ukraine), this paper confirms that the academic debate on such a comprehensive subject can become as diverse as it can possibly be.

A REFLECTION ON THE CITIZENS’ ATTITUDES TO THE POLITICAL SITUATION (AND THEIR CREATIVE RENDITIONS) In Memoriam of Ján Kuciak and Martina Kušnírová

Author(s): Katarína Fichnová,Lukasz Pawel Wojciechowski,Peter Szabo / Language(s): English / Issue: 1/2019

The primary aim of the article is to identify the degree of creativity in the expressive means employed by citizens showing their attitudes to the current political situation. Other aims of the text include the identification of rhetorical, linguistic and stylistic resources and explicit and implicit inspirations related to art present in the recorded messages. The authors address three research questions arising from the above-mentioned aims. The research material consists of photographs of 203 different messages in the form of banners, scale models, models, ready-made, objet trouvé, performances and other textual and/or visual representations displayed during the protest held on 16th March 2018 on the SNP Square in Bratislava, which was held after the brutal murder of Slovak investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kušnírová. The authors use a modified method of content and image analysis and product creativity evaluation. The data is analysed both qualitatively and quantitatively, i.e. via triangulation approach. In the concluding part of the study, the authors discuss the available options in connection with the use of banners and other messages as a means of self-expression and manifestation of commitment, political activism and civic engagement. The most creative messages have the greatest potential to be multiplied through social networks and thus transmit the intended message in a more efficient way.

A stinking business. Environmental issues, protests and big money in the waste business in Russia

Author(s): Jadwiga Rogoża / Language(s): English / Publication Year: 2018

In recent months, Moscow oblast has seen a series of social protests against environmental problems caused by municipal waste landfills. The waste disposal sites are overloaded, lack adequate safeguards, emit toxic gases and contaminate the groundwater with harmful effluent. The situation is most severe in Moscow oblast because the capital city generates the largest volumes of waste; however, the problem itself extends beyond environmental concerns into the economic and social spheres. Waste management in Russia is marked by notorious overloading of legal waste disposal sites and the emergence of illegal waste dumps, inadequate waste disposal practices leading to air pollution and groundwater contamination which affect local residents, and bad practices by businesses with links to President Vladimir Putin which have monopolised the waste collection sector.

A system approach in the political-administrative management

Author(s): Igor Reshevets / Language(s): English / Issue: 1/2015

The article presents the results of the study on a system approach in the political-administrative management in order to improve the efficiency of administrative activity under the social transformation conditions. The system approach value in the process of a modern Ukrainian state development is grounded.

Absolvenții Academiei de Poliție la forma de învățământ cu frecvență redusă și Legea nr. 118/2017

Author(s): Adrian Băncilă / Language(s): Romanian / Issue: 2/2017

Military career requires a beginning and an end. In military, the phrase used in the administrative act, which completes an entire career, is "switching in reserve", and for police officers the expression "ending of service relations" is used. There are no significant differences between the two operations, even the legislator wants to distinguish between the two professional categories, the military and police officers or civil servants with special status, but the way which they are entitled to the pension is laid down in a single normative act , respectively Law no. 223 of July 24, 2015