News on ensuring justice
Montenegro sets out to improve coordination in responding to violence against women and domestic violence
With the aim of strengthening the institutional response to domestic violence through improved coordination among relevant stakeholders, Montenegro has officially initiated work on revising the Protocol on Actions, Prevention of and Protection against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence...
Strengthening prison and probation systems in the Western Balkans
The Western Balkans will continue to enhance prison and probation structures to manage violent extremist offenders (VEOs) and prevent radicalisation after release. This conclusion was reached at the 6th Steering Committee meeting of the regional action “Enhancing co-operation in the Western...
Kosovo Correctional Service to integrate Council of Europe methodology for managing violent extremist offenders
Kosovo Correction Service (KCS) has taken further steps toward integrating the Council of Europe’s methodology for working with violent extremist offenders (VEOs), bringing together prison practitioners, management representatives and experts to prepare for full scale implementation across the...
Aligning practices and advancing co-operation to strengthen post-release support for violent extremist offenders in Western Balkans
Around 40 representatives of relevant institutions and civil society organisations from the Western Balkans gathered in Sarajevo on 3 – 4 December 2025, together with Council of Europe experts, to share knowledge, strengthen co-operation, and harmonise approaches when it comes to providing...
Montenegro advances judicial reforms and strengthens victim protection, Steering Committee concluded
Montenegro continues to make progress in judicial reform and in strengthening the protection of victims’ rights, as confirmed during the sixth Steering Committee Meeting of the action “Strengthening accountability of the judicial system and enhancing protection of victims’ rights in Montenegro”,...
Marking 16 Days of Activism in Albania by highlighting women’s property rights
Women and girls from the Shkoza community marked the global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence by learning how property rights protect dignity, security and independence. Organised by the Tirana Legal Aid Society (TLAS) with the support of the action Improving the protection of the...
Pilot courts in Bosnia and Herzegovina advance court management practices based on internal survey findings
On 28 November, the European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ) organised a one-day workshop bringing together representatives of its eight pilot courts to discuss the implementation, analysis, and long-term sustainability of internal satisfaction surveys in Bosnia and Herzegovina....
Montenegro to boost public trust in prosecution service with new communication strategy
The State Prosecution Service of Montenegro has initiated the development of its new Communication Strategy for the period 2026–2028 and the accompanying Action Plan for 2026. This initiative, supported by the European Union and the Council of Europe’s programme “Horizontal Facility for the...
Montenegro improves its practice in implementing decisions of the European Court
A two-day roundtable “Execution of the Decisions of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in Relation to Montenegro” brought together state authorities, judiciary members, prosecutors, and other public institutions to discuss key aspects of implementing ECtHR judgments. Organised jointly by...
Children’s corner supported by the EU and the Council of Europe inaugurated in Idrizovo Prison
Idrizovo Prison, the largest penitentiary facility in North Macedonia, now has a dedicated children’s corner for young visitors and the families of inmates. Located in the visitors’ area, the children’s corner provides a safe and welcoming environment during family visits. Representatives of...
Visual Art Exhibition & Panel Discussion
“Let’s bring justice closer to the citizens” marked the 30th Anniversary of the membership of North Macedonia in the Council of Europe
To mark the European Day of Justice and the 30th anniversary since North Macedonia joined the Council of Europe, the Council of Europe Programme Office in Skopje with the support from the European Union, organised a public event to highlight the importance of equal access to justice for all, by...
Advancing the judicial training system in Bosnia and Herzegovina with CEPEJ tools
Representatives of judicial training institutions and the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina gathered in Sarajevo for a two days workshop to increase efficiency and quality of judicial training programmes in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This workshop follows an in-depth...
Aligning property deprivation procedures with European standards
A series of judgments by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) against Serbia has highlighted the need for clearer interpretation and application of rules on property deprivation in criminal and misdemeanor proceedings.[1] On this topic, 60 participants from the judiciary, prosecution,...
New Codes of Ethics adopted to strengthen integrity and accountability in Montenegro’s judiciary
Montenegro has taken an important step forward in strengthening the integrity, professionalism, and accountability of its justice system. The new Codes of Ethics for Judges and Prosecutors have been officially adopted, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to build a more...
Montenegro judiciary marks 75 years of the European Convention
Judicial leaders from across Montenegro met in Budva on 29-30 October to reflect on the legacy and continued relevance of the European Convention on Human Rights, 75 years after its adoption. The high-level Judiciary Days event brought together judges from the Supreme, High, and Basic Courts, as...
Regional round table on human rights and environmental protection: Prosecutorial responsibilities in criminal law
On 29 and 30 September, 36 prosecutors and inspectors from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo*, North Macedonia, and Montenegro gathered for a regional round table on Human Rights and Environmental Protection: Prosecutorial Responsibilities in Criminal Law. The event created a...
Closing the gender gap by addressing judicial data challenges
Experts from the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership regions met in Budapest to discuss how better data collection help close the gender gap in justice systems. The roundtable brought together representatives from Ministries of Justice, National Statistics Institutes, Istanbul Convention...
Citizens in Skopje, Bitola, and Shtip to receive Primary Free Legal Aid at the Civil Registry Offices
As of today, citizens of Skopje, Bitola, and Shtip can receive primary legal aid services at the Civil Registry Offices. Three mobile teams, composed of representatives from civil society organisations authorised to provide free legal aid as well as legal clinic students, were established to...
Strengthening victim protection in criminal cases in Montenegro
Montenegro is moving toward more consistent protection for victims of serious crimes with the first working group meeting held to draft the Guidelines for enhancing judicial practices in compensating the victims. Through a clearly defined recommendations, the Guidelines will provide expert and...
Strategy for the Protection of Victims’ Rights: final public consultations take place in Montenegro
As part of the public consultation process to discuss the Draft Strategy for the Protection of Victims’ Rights and related Action Plan for its implementation, a round-table was held in Podgorica. Montenegro is in the final phase of developing its first national Strategy for the protection of...
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