international conference on the future of the postage stamp “how to effectively combat illegal...
TRANSCRIPT
International conference on the future of the postage
stamp
“How to effectively combat illegal issues,” -What the international philatelic community can
do.
Tunis, May 18-19 2010
By Dickson Rayori - PAPU1
Outline• Introduction• Definition of subject• Illegal activities on stamps• International philatelic community• Facts on stamps environment• Concerted actions by the IPC• Conclusion
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IntroductionThe primary role of a stamp is prepayment of postage. Other roles:
Paper ambassadors representing countries Bearers of celebratory images Bearers of a country’s cultural heritage, history, natural resources, Statements of sovereignty Brand images of postal administrations Bearers of private advertising Marketing tools Collectable items and souvenirs for hobbyists3
Illegal stamp issues:
Refers to the production, distribution and
marketing, in the names of the countries
concerned, of abusive, illegal and
unauthorized stamps which also undermine
the sovereignty of the countries and the
revenue potential for their postal service
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The stamp has been a target of illegal activities for a long time targeting mostly Africa, Eastern Europe and Asia:Illegal issuesAbusive issues/ pornographyLoss of revenue for postal administrations estimated to be hundreds of millions of dollarsAttack on the culture and national image of countriesUsed for money launderingRisk to international securityUndermining the noble traditions and roles of philately in societyThreatening the decency of the hobby
Perpetration of illegal activities
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Who are they?Philatelists (collectors)PrintersAgentsDealersPhilatelic journalistsCatalogue editorsAuctioneersOrganizers of international Stamp exhibitionsWADPFIP
What can the international philatelic
community do?
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Facts on illegal issuesFact # 1.Illegal issues are multi-million dollar
business, causing huge losses to postal administrations/countries concerned
Fact # 2.The problem is global; and
international collaboration and solidarity among the philatelic community stands the best chance of success in combating the crime.
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Fact # 3.Transactions on illegal issues are
mostly done on the internet; the offending websites are well known but their physical addresses remain illusive
Fact # 4The crime is perpetrated in foreign
jurisdictions with unfamiliar legal settings, creating a nightmare for victims who may not have the resources, skills and knowledge to respond effectively.
Facts cont’d
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Fact # 5The fraudsters target small poor
countries, invariably developing countries that generally lack clear stamp production policies and programmes
Fact # 6The countries concerned in many
instances, and for reasons that are not clear, do not normally participate in international conferences and workshops on illegal issues
Facts cont’d
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International interventionSensitization/communication among the stakeholders to be more vigilant and exchange of information on suspicious stamp themes and images on the global scale is key:International conferences and workshops such as this oneDirect contact with stamp collectors via the internet, during international stamp exhibitions, etc. Development of websites, online bulletins by philatelic journalists and others to counter the illegal activitiesSolicit the help of catalogue editors to sensitize collectors, legal authorities on this threat
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International intervention cont’d
Assistance to postal administrations in monitoring dealers and agents to ensure the integrity of contractual agreements
Re-look at legal mechanisms in countries where fraudsters operate to determine whether any loopholes exist and how these can be sealed and punitive action taken against them
The role of WADP and FIPStakeholders to be more vigilant to block
fraudsters through all possible media including internet, catalogues, press releases, stamps themselves, etc. 11
ConclusionThe UPU, WADP and FIP are doing
commendable work to combat illegal issues, but the problem is far from being resolved
Illegal issues pose a serious problem to therevenues and image of UPU member countries, especially from Africa
There is need for development of an effectively coordinated action plan by stakeholders to urgently address the problem 12
Conclusion cont’dIf necessary, use legal mechanism to fight the crime
The physical addresses/location of perpetrators can be established through cooperation and support of postal administrations of UPU member countries
Illegal issues are a scourge for postal administrations that must be tackled urgently
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