Singing for diversity and inclusion on Human Rights Day

10 December 2024 Belgrade

The iconic lyrics of Ederlezi, a beloved folk song of the Romani people in the Balkans, echoed through Belgrade's Dorćol Platz as over 150 women, men, boys, and girls gathered to sing it a cappella in a one-of-a-kind event. Organised by Art Aparat with the support of the Council of Europe on the...

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Empowering Roma women to claim their rights in Türkiye

6 December 2024 Türkiye

As many as 130 Roma women across Türkiye have gained the tools and confidence to claim their rights and access essential support services thanks to a series of training sessions held from 6-29 November. These sessions, designed to remove barriers to justice and build trust in the legal system,...

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Towards better child protection in the context of migration

27-29 November 2024 Ankara

Thirty-six personnel from Türkiye’s Ministry of Family and Social Services enhanced their skills to protect and support migrant and refugee children during a three-day training held in Ankara from 27 to 29 November 2024. The training, “Child Protection in the Context of Migration”, was organised...

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Young voices rising: Sjenica Youth Forum inspires action for equality and diversity

17 November 2024 Sjenica, Serbia

A vibrant gathering of over 75 young people from minority communities has turned Sjenica into a hub of inspiration, action, and change. The Youth Forum, titled “75+ steps toward equal opportunities,” brought together youth from across Serbia to celebrate diversity, dismantle stereotypes, and...

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Aligning domestic practices with European case law: New publication to support Albanian legal professionals in upholding human rights standards

4 December 2024 Tirana - Albania

Today at Europe House Tirana, the latest Handbook featuring selected 2023-2024 European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) case law was presented for lawyers and legal professionals . This resource produced with the support of EU and Council of Europe, highlights key rulings that shape the...

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Jačanje provođenja pravde u Bosni i Hercegovini

28-29 November 2024 Bosnia and Herzegovina

Preko 50 sudija, predsjednika sudova i sudskih službenika iz cijele Bosne i Hercegovine unaprijedili su znanje o novim alatima za poboljšanje efikasnosti sudova i unapređenje kvalitete pravosuđa, tokom dvodnevne obuke „Korištenje CEPEJ metodologija i alata za povećanje efikasnosti sudova i...

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Beneficiaries and partners of the anti-trafficking action in North Macedonia discuss key milestones

02 December 2024 Skopje, North Macedonia

At its fourth meeting, the Steering Committee of the action “Strengthening anti - trafficking action in North Macedonia” gathered in Skopje key partners and beneficiaries to take stock of the achieved progress during implementation of the action and discussed the new priorities for 2025. The...

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Strengthening access to justice: Free legal aid for human trafficking victims

25 November 2024 Belgrade, Serbia

Legal experts and key stakeholders came together at a roundtable in Belgrade to tackle one of the most critical challenges in combating human trafficking: ensuring victims have access to free legal aid. Organised by the Council of Europe under the Horizontal Facility programme in Serbia and the...

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Towards a more accountable justice system in Montenegro

27-28 November 2024 Podgorica

Under the action "Strengthening accountability of the judicial system and enhancing protection of victims' rights in Montenegro", the European Union and the Council of Europe are teaming up to enhance Montenegro’s judicial system, ensuring fair trials and stronger protections for victims. As part...

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Osnaživanje sudija i tužilaca za borbu protiv SLAPP tužbi

26-27. novembar 2024. Teslić, Bosna i Hercegovina

Suočeni s rastućim izazovima koje donose slučajevi klevete i strateške tužbe protiv učešća javnosti (SLAPP tužbe), 20 sudija i tužilaca iz Bosne i Hercegovine unaprijedilo je svoje vještine kako bi ove probleme rješavali efikasnije. Dvodnevna obuka, organizovana od strane Vijeća Evrope u Tesliću,...

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Public actors in North Macedonia to advance the fight against discrimination in co-operation with EU and Council of Europe

SKOPJE, 29 NOVEMBER

Achievements and future activities on anti-discrimination and combating hate speech were in the focus of the Fourth Steering Committee meeting of the action “Combating hatred and intolerance in North Macedonia“ . The meeting gathered beneficiaries, partners and stakeholders to discuss and...

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Awareness raising in Kamza highlights the ongoing commitment to promote property rights for local communities in Albania

26 November 2024 Kamez - Albania

The Tirana Legal Aid Society (TLAS), with support from the European Union and the Council of Europe, organised an impactful awareness-raising event in Kamza, focusing on property rights and compensation mechanisms. The event was particularly targeted at vulnerable local communities, with the aim...

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PRESS RELEASE

The European Union and the Council of Europe back Montenegro’s work on human rights, rule of law, and democracy through a joint programme

26 November 2024 Podgorica

Montenegro is paving the way for stronger human rights protection, rule of law, and democracy with the support of the European Union and the Council of Europe joint programme, “The Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”, according to the participants at the programme’s annual...

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Countering emerging crime risks linked to innovative technology in financial services in the Western Balkans

25 November 2024 Strasbourg

In an effort to facilitate the exchange of information at the regional level on managing money laundering and terrorist financing risks associated with innovative technologies in financial services, a regional workshop was organised in Strasbourg with the support of EU and Council of Europe. The...

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Building bridges through journalism: enhancing journalistic skills across diverse communities

23 November 2024 Brezovica

As part of ongoing efforts to promote media freedom and enhance journalistic standards, the Council of Europe organised a workshop in Brezovica, Kosovo*. with journalists from both, the Albanian and Serbian communities. The event aimed at discussing how to address the main challenges journalists...

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Strengthening law enforcement’s role in protecting journalists and media freedom in Albania

20-21 November 2024 Tushemisht, Albania

Ensuring the safety of journalists and upholding media freedom are essential pillars of democratic societies and fundamental to safeguarding human rights. To support these goals, twenty-eight law enforcement officers and instructors from Albania participated in a Training of Trainers programme on...

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Promoting gender equality and women’s access to justice across the Eastern Partnership and the Western Balkan regions

20-21 November 2024 Tirana

Judges, prosecutors and representatives from judicial training institutions across the Eastern Partnership and Western Balkans regions met in Tirana, to assess the results of the mentoring programme for legal professionals on women’s access to justice. A series of thematic exchanges were held on...

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Press Release

European Union and Council of Europe reaffirm commitment to supporting rule of law and human rights reforms in North Macedonia

21 November 2024 Skopje / North Macedonia

The European Union (EU) and the Council of Europe have emphasised the importance of the joint programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye” in advancing North Macedonia’s reform agenda. This initiative supports the country’s alignment with European standards in key areas,...

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Strengthening justice transparency in Montenegro

18-19 November Podgorica

Transparency in judiciary is not just a principle—it is a fundamental requirement for a functioning democracy – this was the key message voiced at the workshops for courts and prosecution officers dedicated to development of actions plans for the implementation of judicial communication...

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Towards better legal protection for victims of human trafficking

Belgrade

More than 40 lawyers from Serbia improved their knowledge and skills in recognizing human trafficking and providing adequate legal support to victims. This result was achieved through a series of round tables organized by ASTRA - Action against human trafficking, with the support of the Bar...

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