Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) ranks 49th out of 193 member states of the United Nations (UN) in terms of the presence of organized crime, while among 44 European countries it is fifth on the list. These are the data of the Global Index of Organized Crime for 2020.
BiH is positioned in 49th place with 5.89 index points. Neighboring Serbia is in 33rd place and the first of the European countries on this list. Montenegro is before BiH, it ranked 45th, North Macedonia was in 74th place, Croatia 85th, and Slovenia 132nd.
Analysis of criminal activities in BiH
When it comes to human trafficking, it is stated that BiH is a significant country for the transit of persons of Chinese, Indian,and Turkish origin who are victims of sexual exploitation and forced labor, but it is the same case with domestic victims as well.
“Bosnians are often victims of forced labor in the construction industry and other sectors in neighboring Balkan and European countries. Bosnian women and girls are trafficked for sexual exploitation in private apartments and motels. Roma people are particularly marginalized,” the report said.
Environmental crime is also present in BiH, mainly related to trade in wood and wood products, as well as illegal killing and production of meat from protected/illegal animals (quail). It is noted that illegal exports are facilitated by loopholes in the legislative and customs regulatory frameworks.
It is concluded that the actors of crime in BiH are the domestic mafia, organized criminal networks, foreign criminal groups, but also state officials. They play a significant role in world crime, especially when it comes to the drug (heroin) and arms trafficking. It is mentioned that most mafia networks in BiH are divided along national lines, but that they work closely together. Given that the level of corruption is high, it is emphasized that many criminal actors enjoy protection from individuals who are part of the state apparatus.
“Some members of criminal groups are employed in state institutions, while others are members of dominant political parties,” it was pointed out in the report.
The results of the first edition of the Global Organized Crime Index, presented in the lead report and on the Index’s interactive website, provide a worrying image of the scale, proportion, and impact of organized crime in 2020.
Criminals made the most of the pandemic
As a conclusion for 2020, the Index also emphasized the adaptability of organized crime to the pandemic.
“Faced with blockages and travel restrictions, criminals have not only reorganized their regular business but have also taken advantage of the new opportunities posed by the global health crisis. Individuals, communities, and businesses struggling to survive have also become increasingly vulnerable to organized crime, either as victims or as perpetrators, although more often due to the lack of any viable alternatives, ” it was concluded, Klix.ba writes.
E.Dz.
