The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina has released The Western Balkans Trial Monitoring Report, assessing the judicial response to organized crime and corruption. The report, based on monitoring 55 cases from July 2021 to March 2024, offers recommendations to enhance transparency, efficiency, and the use of asset confiscation mechanisms. Positive developments include more confirmed indictments, economic advisors’ engagement, and increased use of financial investigations.
However, concerns persist, such as inefficient trial management, lack of transparency, and delays in high-level cases. Human resource constraints also impede progress. The EU supports this initiative to combat organized crime and corruption, urging stakeholders to implement the report’s recommendations. The report provides ten recommendations focusing on transparency, trial management, staffing, sentencing, and asset confiscation.
According to the Head of the EU Delegation in BiH, addressing organized crime and corruption is crucial for the country’s progress towards the EU. Recognizing the significance of combating these crimes, the report outlines key steps to strengthen the rule of law and combat impunity. An expert-level regional event in September 2024 will follow the report’s release, emphasizing the importance of improving the processing of these cases to enhance judiciary integrity and accountability.