THE HAGUE / WASHINGTON, D.C. | May 24th, 2018 — The Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC) and National Whistleblower Center (NWC) have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a framework for cooperation, develop joint endeavors, and exchange information with regards to transnational wildlife crime.
The WJC is an independent, non-profit organisation, based in The Hague (the Netherlands), operating globally to disrupt and help dismantle organised transnational crime networks trading in wildlife, timber and fish. The WJC does this by collecting evidence and turning it into accountability.
NWC is a non-profit, non-partisan legal advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C. that has been fighting for whistleblower rights since 1988. Its Global Wildlife Whistleblower Program aims to leverage powerful U.S. legal tools to incentivize whistleblowers around the globe to step forward with information on wildlife crime.
Through their partnership, the WJC and NWC aim to improve their ability to combat wildlife trafficking around the globe.
Olivia Swaak-Goldman, Executive Director of the WJC, stated: “Partnerships such as the one forged with the National Whistleblower Center, an innovative and highly-effective organization, provide a critical new tool to counter transnational wildlife crime and in ensuring accountability.”
Stephen M. Kohn, Executive Director of NWC, stated: “Cooperation between whistleblower advocates and highly-respected, effective international NGOs like the Wildlife Justice Commission is an essential ingredient for successfully enforcing trafficking laws.”
Scott A. Hajost, Managing Director of NWC’s Global Wildlife Whistleblower Program stated: “This partnership will provide a new and forceful mechanism to confront crime and corruption in the fight to end wildlife trafficking.”