Horizontal Facility - News
North Macedonia ratifies the Council of Europe Convention on Access to Official Documents
The Parliament of the Republic of North Macedonia, on its 12th session held on 13 August 2024, adopted the Law on Ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on Access to Official Documents, also known as the Tromsø Convention. With this ratification, North Macedonia becomes the 16th country...
European Commission against Racism аnd Intolerance Recommendation on preventing and combating intolerance and discrimination against LGBTI persons, available in Macedonian
European Commission against Racism and Intolerance’s (ECRI) General Policy Recommendation No.17 on preventing and combating intolerance and discrimination against LGBTI persons is now available in Macedonian language! Published in September 2023, the document recognises the continuing challenges...
Potential amendments to Serbia's Data Protection Law with emphasis on Freedom of Expression discussed with local actors
The intricate balance between data protection and freedom of expression has emerged as a critical issue within the realm of journalism. The 2018 adoption of the Law on Data Protection by the Government of Serbia marked a significant step in aligning national legislation with the European Union's...
Assisting Turkish lawyers about the application of detention in the context of migration, aligned with European standards
In the framework of the European Union and Council of Europe joint action on “Strengthening the human rights protection in the context of migration in Türkiye,” in co-operation with the Union of Turkish Bar Associations, 133 lawyers from İzmir, Adana, Kahramanmaraş, Mardin and Bursa Bar...
High Inspector of Justice in Albania enhances capacities on thematic inspections
The European Union and the Council of Europe are supporting the capacities of the High Inspector of Justice (HIJ) in Albania with the methodology for preparing and conducting classic thematic inspection missions, based on best European standards and practices. Participating in a training seminar...
Published new Guide on the Albanian Constitutional Court's jurisprudence on property rights for legal professionals
The latest resource material for legal professionals, on the case-law of the Albanian Constitutional Court regarding property rights, is now available in Albanian. This guide aims to enhance the understanding and implementation of property rights in Albania, aligning with the standards set by the...
Freedom of expression in focus of Regional School of Human Rights: empowering future legal professionals in the Western Balkans
The Regional School of Human Rights brought together 34 law students from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia. The summer school introduced students to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) focusing on the right to freedom of expression. This...
Montenegro: Published Judicial Reform Strategy 2024-2027 and Action Plan for its implementation 2025-2025
The Government of Montenegro has adopted the Judicial Reform Strategy 2024-2027 and Action Plan for its implementation 2024-2025 on 17 May 2024, with the aim to ensure the continuity of reform based on public policy long-term planning which began with the Judicial System Reform Project in 2000....
Attorneys in North Macedonia deepen their knowledge in addressing ethical dilemmas
42 attorneys from North Macedonia successfully completed the online HELP (Human Rights Education for Legal Professionals) course on “Ethics for judges, prosecutors and lawyers.” The course covers in an interactive way the key concepts, the International and European framework and the relevant...
Study visit to Council of Europe and European Court of Human Rights inspires future legal professionals
Nine students and their mentor from the University of Southeast Europe in North Macedonia and Aleksander Xhuvani University in Elbasan, Albania, winners of a Moot Court competition, embarked on a study visit to the Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) on 17 July 2024....
Promoting inclusivity: new brochure on the Administrative Court published in multiple languages
To enhance public understanding of the Administrative Court's role in overseeing the lawful conduct of public authorities, a brochure detailing the essential Court’s work and functions was recently published in official language/languages in the official use in Montenegro, as well as in Romani...
Enhancing justice: Launch of specialised communication training for prosecutors and police officers
Effective communication is one of the cornerstones of successful relationships between rule of law institutions and citizens. By honing communication skills, prosecutors and police officials can enhance their ability to present their work accurately, build stronger relationships with public and...
European Union and Council of Europe support civil society to empower women in Türkiye
The joint European Union/Council of Europe action “Fostering women's access to justice in Türkiye” is supporting the capacities of civil society organisations through a grant scheme. Grants were awarded to three civil society organisations, namely Hayat Sende Gençlik Akademisi Derneği (Hayat...
Participation of the Young European Ambassadors in the International Youth Seminar and Policy Symposium on Active Political Participation of National Minority Youth
Supported by the European Union and the Council of Europe and organised by the Council of Europe Youth Department in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary and the National Youth Council of Hungary, the International Youth Seminar and Policy Symposium on Active...
Call for tenders: Purchase of the communication services relating to the social media awareness raising initiative on discrimination in digital settings and inclusive education in Montenegro
Within the framework of the joint European Union/Council of Europe programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”, the Council of Europe is currently implementing the action “Quality education for all in Montenegro”. In that context, it is looking for a Provider for the...
Continuation of the inter judicial dialogue on application of the European Convention on Human Rights at the national level
The Round table dedicated to strengthening the application of human rights standards in the practices of the Constitutional and regular courts in Montenegro, took place on 9 July 2024 in Podgorica. This event is a part of the overall efforts aimed at achieving two interrelated goals:...
Promoting a culture of dialogue in Banja Luka, to prevent hate speech on the internet
The City of Banja Luka hosted on 9 to 10 July a capacity building activity dedicated to the important topic of preventing hate speech on the internet and promoting a positive use of social media. The event organised with the support of EU and Council of Europe brought together 35 participants...
First round of training for civil servants of Bosnia and Herzegovina to recognise and tackle hate speech
The Civil Service Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the support of the European Union and the Council of Europe, organised on the mountain Jahorina the first training for 26 civil servants on recognising and responding to cases of hate speech. This training, that took place on 8 and 9 July...
Keeping track of the developments on Freedom of Expression with justice professionals in Kosovo*
Freedom of expression continues to be a vital right protected by legal standards across Europe, necessitating continuous education for those tasked with its protection. To support the already certified judges, prosecutors, and lawyers on freedom of expression, with up-to-date knowledge on the...
Teachers take first steps to become certified trainers on the Competences for democratic culture
Ten teachers from primary and secondary schools in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) participated in the Training of trainers for teachers from Resource centers organised within the joint European Union/Council of Europe action “Quality education for all” from 2 to 4 July. This group of teachers who...