An important component of the Horizontal Facility II programme in the field of justice remains the protection of human rights of detained and sentenced persons in line with the European standards. In this framework important interventions have been conducted in the region by respective actions of this joint programme.

In this context the penitentiary systems in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, North Macedonia and Serbia have benefited from a significant donation of different equipment aimed at enhancing the provision of occupational therapy and strengthening the capacities of vocational workshops. The main aim of the donation is to support the rehabilitation of violent extremist prisoners, radicalised inmates or other marginalised groups in prisons who are at risk of radicalisation.

Considering that the provision of mental health in prisons remains a long-standing concern and challenge being addressed by the Albanian penitentiary authorities, a workshop presenting the findings of the assessment on mental health in Durrës prison was organised, providing tailored recommendations concerning the needed improvements. In this context, additional assistance is provided to the authorities in setting up a unified system of detection and treatment in regular prison facilities, and in planning an intervention which will improve the treatment of psychiatric forensic patients.

In Montenegro, the Investigating Officers of the Internal Affairs had the opportunity to expand their knowledge about key practices in handling cases of ill-treatment attributable to the Police, in line with European standards. The capacity building activity contributed to increasing the standards of the Department to apply attained knowledge when tasked with exploring any suspected case of excessive use of force by serving police officers.

*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence.