How can judges exercise their rights to freedom of expression while safeguarding judicial independence, impartiality and public confidence in the judiciary? This question was at the heart of a panel discussion held on 15 October in Belgrade, as part of the sixth judicial conference “Forum Days” (Dani Foruma). The discussion brought together judges, legal professionals and representatives of judicial institutions to examine European human rights standards and proposals to strengthen the ethical framework governing judges’ public expression.

The panel featured Mateja Đurović, Judge of the European Court of Human Rights, alongside Bojana Čogurić, President of the High Judicial Council, and Dr Anđelija Tasić, professor at the Faculty of Law in Niš.

The discussion focused on the delicate balance between judges’ right to freedom of expression, guaranteed under Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, and their responsibilities to safeguard judicial independence and impartiality.

By bringing European Court of Human Rights expertise into the national discussion, the event contributed to strengthening understanding of the protection afforded to judges’ freedom of expression and promoting an ethical framework consistent with European standards. It also provided an opportunity for dialogue on how to safeguard judges’ fundamental rights while maintaining public trust in the administration of justice.

The panel was organised by the Division for Cooperation on Freedom of Expression, through the action “Protecting freedom of expression and of the media in Serbia (PROFREX)”, which is part of the joint European Union and Council of Europe programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”.