News on ensuring justice
Potential amendments to Serbia's Data Protection Law with emphasis on Freedom of Expression discussed with local actors
The intricate balance between data protection and freedom of expression has emerged as a critical issue within the realm of journalism. The 2018 adoption of the Law on Data Protection by the Government of Serbia marked a significant step in aligning national legislation with the European Union's...
Assisting Turkish lawyers about the application of detention in the context of migration, aligned with European standards
In the framework of the European Union and Council of Europe joint action on “Strengthening the human rights protection in the context of migration in Türkiye,” in co-operation with the Union of Turkish Bar Associations, 133 lawyers from İzmir, Adana, Kahramanmaraş, Mardin and Bursa Bar...
High Inspector of Justice in Albania enhances capacities on thematic inspections
The European Union and the Council of Europe are supporting the capacities of the High Inspector of Justice (HIJ) in Albania with the methodology for preparing and conducting classic thematic inspection missions, based on best European standards and practices. Participating in a training seminar...
Published new Guide on the Albanian Constitutional Court's jurisprudence on property rights for legal professionals
The latest resource material for legal professionals, on the case-law of the Albanian Constitutional Court regarding property rights, is now available in Albanian. This guide aims to enhance the understanding and implementation of property rights in Albania, aligning with the standards set by the...
Montenegro: Published Judicial Reform Strategy 2024-2027 and Action Plan for its implementation 2025-2025
The Government of Montenegro has adopted the Judicial Reform Strategy 2024-2027 and Action Plan for its implementation 2024-2025 on 17 May 2024, with the aim to ensure the continuity of reform based on public policy long-term planning which began with the Judicial System Reform Project in 2000....
Attorneys in North Macedonia deepen their knowledge in addressing ethical dilemmas
42 attorneys from North Macedonia successfully completed the online HELP (Human Rights Education for Legal Professionals) course on “Ethics for judges, prosecutors and lawyers.” The course covers in an interactive way the key concepts, the International and European framework and the relevant...
Study visit to Council of Europe and European Court of Human Rights inspires future legal professionals
Nine students and their mentor from the University of Southeast Europe in North Macedonia and Aleksander Xhuvani University in Elbasan, Albania, winners of a Moot Court competition, embarked on a study visit to the Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) on 17 July 2024....
Promoting inclusivity: new brochure on the Administrative Court published in multiple languages
To enhance public understanding of the Administrative Court's role in overseeing the lawful conduct of public authorities, a brochure detailing the essential Court’s work and functions was recently published in official language/languages in the official use in Montenegro, as well as in Romani...
Enhancing justice: Launch of specialised communication training for prosecutors and police officers
Effective communication is one of the cornerstones of successful relationships between rule of law institutions and citizens. By honing communication skills, prosecutors and police officials can enhance their ability to present their work accurately, build stronger relationships with public and...
Council of Europe HELP Course on Access to Justice for Women launched to empower Judges and Prosecutors from the Western Balkans
In a significant step towards enhancing gender-sensitive legal practices and strengthening the capacity of judges and prosecutors in addressing gender bias in the judiciary in the Western Balkans, the regional HELP course on Access to Justice for Women was launched with the support of the EU...
Continuation of the inter judicial dialogue on application of the European Convention on Human Rights at the national level
The Round table dedicated to strengthening the application of human rights standards in the practices of the Constitutional and regular courts in Montenegro, took place on 9 July 2024 in Podgorica. This event is a part of the overall efforts aimed at achieving two interrelated goals:...
Improving detection of child trafficking instances in schools in Serbia
Child trafficking is a widespread and underreported phenomenon. According to official data from the Serbian Centre for Human Trafficking Victims’ Protection, the percentage of children among the identified victims of trafficking in Serbia has significantly increased in 2023 and amounts to 62%...
Lawyers in North Macedonia enhance their skills for providing Free Legal Aid
Lawyers providing secondary legal aid are crucial in ensuring access to justice and the effective protection of human rights in line with European standards. Supported by the European Union and the Council of Europe’s joint programme, “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye,” and...
Albanian prison service to adopt Trauma Informed Therapy and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy aiming to improve the rehabilitation of prisoners
The European Union and Council of Europe are helping domestic prison authorities to introduce Trauma Informed Therapy and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Albanian prisons. In this framework the staff from the only women prison in Albania - “Ali Demi”, was part of the two-day training on...
CEPEJ supports mediation awareness for judges in Albania
An awareness raising workshop on referral to mediation was organised with 15 magistrates and graduating magistrates of Albania with CEPEJ experts, in co-operation with the School of Magistrates and the National Mediation Chamber of Albania. The activity organised with the support of EU and...
High Inspector of Justice in Albania enhances capacities on thematic inspections
The European Union and the Council of Europe are supporting the capacities of the High Inspector of Justice (HIJ) in Albania with the methodology for preparing and conducting classic thematic inspection missions, based on best European standards and practices. Participating in a training seminar...
Reiterating commitment of public administrative institutions to strengthen institutional co-operation in effectively addressing property related claims
The first Co-ordination Roundtable focusing on the treatment of property rights among public administrative institutions was held at the premises of Europe House, in Tirana, on 26 June. This activity was held in the framework of the European Union and the Council of Europe continuous assistance...
Establishing of a working alliance with a prisoner is the main pre-requisite to rehabilitation, preparation for release and social reintegration
The European Union and the Council of Europe continue to assist the penitentiary institutions in Kosovo* by strengthening their capacities related to management of violent and extremist prisoners (VEPs), and those vulnerable to radicalisation. Practical application of the instruments used in...
Professional judgment on violent extremist and radicalised prisoners has to be verifiable and factual, concluded prison practitioners from Serbia
How to identify signs of radicalisation, perform assessment of risk and make a professional judgment on violent extremist prisoners or marginalised and vulnerable prisoners at risk from radicalisation, and tailor their rehabilitation path, were the main topics discussed at the two-day training...
Revising oversight procedures in North Macedonia’s prisons
Improving the prison oversight and reporting procedures put in place by the Directorate for the Execution of Sanctions (DES) of North Macedonia was in the focus of the working group that met on 17-18 June 2024. Guided by a Council of Europe international consultant, the DES oversight team visited...