Part IV Transnational Organised Crime as Matter of Certain Branches of International Law, 18 International Humanitarian Law and Transnational Organised Crime
This chapter analyses the interplay of the use of force in international law and transnational organised crime (TOC). It suggests understanding organised criminal groups as addressees of certain parts of the international legal order that deal with the use of force. For instance, Article 51 United Nations (UN) Charter gives states the right to self-defence following an armed attack without specifying that the armed attack must be carried out by a state. Such an attack can equally emanate from organised criminal groups which, in turn, makes them partial subjects of international law. If gangs engage in TOC, often their action also poses a threat to international peace and security under Article 39 UN Charter. It lies thus within the mandate of the Security Council to deal with such action. The Council has started to do so in recent years and it is called upon to continue this line of work.