Could Community Responses to Organised Crime in the Western Balkans Have Greater Success Than Traditional Criminal Justice Responses?

Traditionally, responses to organised crime have been typically framed around the criminal action, rather than the broader impact of criminality on the individual, community and society at large. In post conflict countries, such responses are often key elements of the international community’s interventions, often framed around activities such as capacity building, reform agendas and increased oversight and transparency. This is evident in the Western Balkans where the international community have guided, implemented and/or supported numerous projects in respect to strengthening the rule of law and the criminal justice system. In fact, in the context of the EU accession process for Western Balkan countries, such actions are of significant importance, with the Acquis Communautaire requiring the existence of adequate measures to combat organise crime, amongst other things. But is this approach the right approach in contexts where rule of law structures may be compromised and/or where allegations often suggest direct involvement by some politicians or state actors in illegality? This paper argues that community-based responses may be better placed in such situations. To do this, the paper examines the criminal market within the Western Balkans, identifies supply chains, and those involved in this market both at the core and on the periphery, in an attempt to identify their vested interests. In so doing, the paper identifies possible opportunities for community interventions arguing why such responses may be more realistic than traditional ones in achieving a positive impact.