Strengthening the Integrity and Independence of Police and Prosecution Institutions in the Western Balkan

Abstract

The Western Balkans 6 (WB6), made up of Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia, have undergone profound political and legal transformations since the 1990s, moving from totalitarian systems to democratic governance models underpinned by the rule of law. Within this context, police forces were among the first institutions targeted for reform. Shifting from instruments of state power to professional bodies mandated to maintain public order and serve citizens, these reforms aimed to instill principles of accountability, impartiality, and integrity (Zvekic and Vlassis, 2024). In recent years and in the context of the EU accession process, additional organizational changes and anti-corruption measures have been introduced to align national legislation with the EU acquis and international standards relating to the independence of the police and judiciary. 

Despite these efforts, persistent reports from the United Nations (UN), European Commission (EC), and prominent civil society organizations highlight that corruption and weak rule of law remain significant obstacles to democratic consolidation in the region. The inadequate implementation of legislation, combined with external and internal risks to police and prosecutorial independence, continues to undermine the integrity and impartiality of criminal justice institutions. Organized crime and systemic corruption exert influence over state structures and the economy, normalizing a degree of tolerance for unethical behavior, further eroding public trust, and contributing to a culture of impunity (Zvekic and Vlassis, 2024). 

This article draws on recent research, primarily a publication by the South Eastern Europe Observatory of the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC) entitled ‘Integrity and Independence of Criminal Justice Institutions in the Western Balkans: Police and Prosecution’. By examining challenges such as compromised autonomy, political influence, weak oversight, and gender imbalances in leadership positions, this paper sheds light on the root causes of weak institutional integrity. Furthermore, it highlights  key policy recommendations aimed at enhancing transparency, strengthening safeguards against corruption, and improving the resilience of criminal justice institutions, paving the way for more democratic governance.