The Western Balkans is beautiful and diverse, but it is no secret that organized crime and corruption has splintered the tenets of social justice and fractured the foundations of society throughout the region. The consequences are debilitating, wrote Eirini Patsea, Programme Co-ordinator of the Regional Trial Monitoring Project on the occasion of the World Day of Social Justice, in her blog post entitled A journey toward more just and equitable societies in the Western Balkans. This is not unique to the Western Balkans. When criminal organizations control key industries or when government officials are corruptible, the powerful can exploit the vulnerable with impunity. The results show declines in the quality of public healthcare, infrastructure, education, and access to justice. Existing inequalities and social divides become more prevalent, and the gender equality gap widens.
Too often, women are direct victims or collateral damage. Gender disparities and social injustice are perpetuated by the inextricable link between traditional social norms and organized crime and corruption. When combined with nepotism and male-dominated professional networks, women's employment and education opportunities shrink and their access to public employment and politicalk leadership roles is limited. When criminal organizations bleed money, essential social services that are rely on become increasingly inaccessible.
The very foundations of social structures are rattled by the constant shockwaves of crime and corruption. When these structures start to shake, those pushed to the edges fall first. Many dedicated people are working to combat organized crime and corruption in the Western Balkans. People are committed to creating just and equitable societies, and there are grassroots activists and government officials. That includes the OSCE.
Through its field operations, institutions, and comprehensive programmes, the OSCE is helping local institutions to strengthen the rule of law, promote transparency and accountability, and empower people across all parts of society.
One great example is the OSCE's initiative through the Regional Trial Monitoring project. Nearly 250 carefully selected, high-profile organized crime and corruption cases are monitored by the European Commission-funded project in the Western Balkans. These cases cover a wide range of offences that affect public life, from healthcare systems and public procurement to employment and education.
The project team has been looking at thousands of pages of legal documents and monitoring hundreds of hearings to identify systemic problems and develop policy recommendations to address deficits with a robust methodology. These projects will result in concrete steps to eradicate organized crime and corruption and build more resilient, stable, and equitable societies across the region. By working together, we can create a future for the Western Balkans where all people can achieve their full potential and no one is left behind. It is not going to be an easy journey, but it is worth it.