Migrant smuggling - A challenge for the Western Balkans and the Republic of North Macedonia

Abstract

Migrant smuggling, also known as the facilitation of illegal migration, is a worldwide criminal activity that endangers the lives of migrants and calls into question the integrity of international borders. In recent years, migrants are a current topic in the world, even in the Republic of North Macedonia. The desire of migrants to reach their desired destination at any cost often makes them willingly accept abuse by criminal structures in the country. It is the type of profitable criminal activity carried out by organized criminal groups that has become one of the biggest humanitarian and security challenges in recent years. Migrant smuggling is a common phenomenon in the Republic of North Macedonia and the Western Balkans and is one of the activities of organized crime, which crosses national borders and spreads to many countries in Europe. In this paper, we will provide an overview of the criminalization of the offense of “smuggling of migrants”, which in the Republic of North Macedonia is continuously requires following and implementing international norms in this field. The Republic of North Macedoniahas so far ratified the most important multilateral agreements for fighting this type of crime.