Work in this thematic area focuses on prisons and police (including human rights in policing, healthcare in prisons and safeguards against torture and ill-treatment), human rights standards in the judiciary (focusing on enhancing the application of case-law of the European Court of Human Rights), the efficiency of justice systems (with a focus on analysing judicial statistics to optimise court administrations) and/or legal co-operation (which concentrate on increasing the individual independence of judges and prosecutors and the accountability of the judicial system).

Back Strengthening Co-operation in the Execution of Judgments of the European Court of Human Rights

Belgrade 3 June 2026
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Strengthening Co-operation in the Execution of Judgments of the European Court of Human Rights

Representatives of the Department for the Execution of Judgments of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) of the Council of Europe met with relevant state institutions to discuss the execution of ECtHR judgments concerning Serbia.

The delegation met with the Agent of the Republic of Serbia before the ECtHR, who acts as the coordinator of the execution process in Serbia, and with representatives of the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Finance. The main topic of discussion was the execution of judgments from the Kačapor and Others group of cases, which pertain to the longstanding issue of non-enforcement of domestic court decisions relating to the debts of socially/state-owned companies. In the most recent decision of the Committee of Ministers regarding this group of cases, progress was noted, and at the meeting steps were discussed that need to be undertaken to complete the execution of these judgments.

Additionally, the execution of judgments related to the failure to comply with interim measures of the ECHR (Antić v. Serbia, Ali v. Serbia) was discussed. In response to these judgments, contact persons were appointed in the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Internal Affairs to ensure timely execution of the ECtHR's interim measures. The functioning of the new system in practice was discussed, as well as planned amendments to the Law on International Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters. Moreover, opportunities for changes to laws and practices concerning the confiscation of property in criminal and misdemeanour proceedings were considered, given that the ECtHR has issued several judgments against Serbia related to this issue. [1] Finally, the meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss possible legislative changes to ensure the execution of judgments in the cases of Kovač v. Serbia (hearing of the accused during extension of detention) and Boljević v. Serbia (impossibility of reopening paternity proceedings due to statute of limitations).

These meetings are part of the efforts of the action "Strengthening human rights protection in Serbia," aimed at supporting state institutions in the execution of judgments of the ECtHR through the provision of a platform for information exchange and coordination. The action is implemented within the framework of the joint programme of the European Union and the Council of Europe "Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkey."

 

Actions under theme i: ensuring justice
  • Strengthening the quality and efficiency of justice in Albania - Phase III  
  • Supporting enforcement of judicial decisions and facilitating execution of ECtHR judgments in Albania           
  • Enhancing the protection of human rights of prisoners in Albania  
  • Strengthening human rights treatment of detained persons based on European standards and best practices in Bosnia and Herzegovina  
  • Strengthening the quality and efficiency of justice in Kosovo* -  Phase II  
  • Accountability of the judicial system in Montenegro - Phase II  
  • Improved procedural safeguards in judicial proceedings in Montenegro  
  • Further enhancing human rights protection for detained and sentenced persons in Montenegro  
  • Strengthening independence and accountability of the judiciary in Serbia  
  • Strengthening the effective legal remedies to human rights violations in Serbia  
  • Enhancing the human rights protection for detained and sentenced persons in Serbia  
  • Supporting enhanced access to higher quality Free Legal Aid services in North Macedonia  
  • Enhancing the capacities of the penitentiary system and the external oversight mechanism in North Macedonia                                                                                                                                                                                                 
  • Supporting the implementation and reporting on the Action Plan on Human Rights in Turkey  
  • Judicial training institutes for Quality and Sustainability in the Western Balkans 
  • Initiative for legal certainty in the Western Balkans  
  • Enhancing penitentiary capacities in addressing radicalisation in prisons in the Western Balkans  
  • Towards a better evaluation of the results of judicial reform efforts in the Western Balkans  
  • Human Rights Education for Legal Professionals (HELP) in the Western Balkans 
  • PACE cooperation with the parliamentary assemblies with a view to achieving legislative improvements in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia and Serbia 

*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.