Macedonia Macedonia is becoming a part of the chain of organized crime related to trafficking in human organs

November 14, 2008

Frame :

1. Macedonians buy and sell organs
2. Israeli surgeon – connection between Macedonia and Kosovo
3. The Balkans – cradle of organs trafficking
4. Istanbul Declaration on Organ Trafficking
5. Prices for organs range from 1.000 dollars to 100.000 Euros

Comment: Recently, Macedonia was the target of the international organizations accusing the country of trading in human organs. The author purpose is to go beyond the generalization and explore the situation in Macedonia.

The problem of trafficking in organs is relatively new and unknown in the Macedonian society though has lately come into high in the public agenda. The author of this article succeeded in encompassing the problem thoroughly and analyzing the subject matter. Even though the report covers the entire world listing the countries this kind of trafficking flourishes, the journalist focuses on the region (providing examples from Serbia, Macedonia, Kosovo and Albania) and map the links and itineraries leading through and within the region.

According to the author, Macedonia and its neighboring countries have become a fertile soil for the development of this phenomenon due to the poor social and economic situation. The latest official figures show, one fourth of the population in Macedonia lives in extreme poverty making this segment vulnerable to trafficking in organs. The article provides details about the financial transactions related to trafficking, stating that one organ could be sold for 40’000 Euros, though figures are only estimations based on international organizations’ data and not specified to the Macedonian reality.

The journalist uses reliable sources of information, mainly international organizations such as the American medical organization, Amnesty International or WHO. Other sources referred in the article is the Serbian daily newspaper, Politika, which revealed cases of trafficking of organs during the refugee crisis in 1999 by the members of the German KFOR forces transporting human organs to the Army Hospital in Skopje.

The article highlights the fact that in Macedonia, as well as in many countries concerned, no official figures or information obtained from competent institutions exist. According to the point of view of the Macedonian Ministry of Internal Affairs, all claims made by international institutions alleging that Macedonia is involved in the chain of trafficking in human organs is a mere speculation, since they have not received any specific charges. In comparison to other countries in the region, neither in Kosovo or Albania official prosecution has started. The only step Macedonia has taken so far to tackle the phenomena is the signature of the Declaration on Trafficking in Human Organs.

(This Press review is under the framework of EIDHR funded project, implemented jointly with Open Gate-La Strada)