Horizontal Facility - Vijesti
Venice Commission provides legal opinions for the authorities in Montenegro and Serbia
At its 148th plenary session (held on 9-10 October 2026), the Venice Commission adopted among others: Montenegro A Joint Opinion of the Venice Commission and the Directorate General of Democracy and Human Dignity (DGII) of the Council of Europe on the draft amendments to the Law on Minority...
Lawyers explore stronger legal protection for journalists and ways to counter SLAPPs in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Twenty-six lawyers from across Bosnia and Herzegovina explored practical ways to strengthen the legal protection of journalists and challenge abusive lawsuits targeting public participation during a two-day training in Neum on 15-16 October 2026. The exchange focused onapplying European human...
Strengthening the protection of judges’ freedom of expression in Serbia
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”...
Better interviews, stronger safeguards: police inspectors prepare to lead change in Bosnia and Herzegovina
For a person in police detention, an interview can be a defining moment. It should be a search for reliable information—not a source of fear or pressure. The way an interview is planned, conducted and recorded can help protect a person’s dignity and rights, while also supporting sound...
PRESS RELEASE
From European standards to everyday impact: Albania marks a decade of European Union – Council of Europe programme co-operation
Over the past decade, the partnership between Albania, the European Union and the Council of Europe has translated ambition into action, delivering lasting change for institutions, professionals and communities. This co-operation under the “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”...
New manual helps police detect human trafficking and protect victims in North Macedonia
A new training Manual is in the hands of the police officers in North Macedonia to help them recognise possible cases of trafficking in human beings (THB), respond safely and lawfully and protect victims’ rights. The Manual is a result of the support from the EU and Council of Europe joint action...
Serbian judges explore ways to safeguard judicial independence
How can the judiciary safeguard its independence while maintaining constructive relations with the executive and legislative branches of power? This question was at the centre of a conference organised by the Judges Association of Serbia in Belgrade, where participants discussed European...
Roundtable on the execution of the Stanimirović v. Serbia group of judgments: effective investigations into ill-treatment by the police
A roundtable on the execution of the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in the Stanimirović v. Serbia group of cases, concerning ill-treatment by the police and the lack of effective investigations into such allegations, took place on 1 October in Belgrade. The roundtable...
Montenegro: Amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code strengthen victims’ rights
The amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code of Montenegro entered into force on 17 September 2026, strengthening the legal framework for the protection and participation of victims in criminal proceedings, among other changes. The revised framework introduces a definition of the term “victim”...
Building a stronger judicial response to SLAPP-s in North Macedonia
Judges and public prosecutors in North Macedonia are taking concrete steps forward towards a more efficient response to Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPPs). During the specialised capacity-building session held in Shtip, they strengthened their knowledge and practical skills...
Strengthening Montenegro’s safeguards for people deprived of their liberty
Professionals responsible for monitoring places of detention in Montenegro have strengthened their ability to manage the emotional demands of their work helping them remain focused, objective and responsive when assessing the treatment and conditions of people deprived of their liberty. A...
Judges discuss stronger protection for journalists in Bosnia and Herzegovina
How should courts respond when journalists face violence, threats or legal pressure because of their work? This was at the centre of discussions among judges from across Bosnia and Herzegovina at a Council of Europe workshop focused on judicial protection of journalists and media freedom. The...
Serbian judicial representatives exchange experiences on safeguarding judicial independence in France
Representatives of Serbia’s judicial and prosecutorial institutions visited Paris and Strasbourg from 21 to 23 September 2026 to discuss safeguards against undue influence on judges and prosecutors. The study visit brought together members of the High Judicial Council and the High Prosecutorial...
Protector of Citizens’ report calls for continued action to strengthen the response to trafficking in human beings
The third Report on trafficking in human beings in Serbia highlights progress in Serbia’s response, while pointing to areas where further action is needed to strengthen the identification and protection of victims and the prosecution of traffickers. The report, presented by Zoran Pašalić,...
North Macedonia’s Prison Police Intervention Teams: Strengthening Accountability and Expanding Knowledge of Applicable Standards
Applying the domestic legal framework and operational procedures in line with the European Prison Rules, and relevant best practices, was the focus of the exchange with the Prison Police Intervention Teams in North Macedonia, held on 24-25 September 2026. Established two years ago, these teams...
Kosovo* institutions strengthen co-operation on rehabilitation and reintegration of persons vulnerable to radicalisation
Representatives of Kosovo’s probation, correctional and other relevant institutions gathered in Pristina to strengthen their skills and co-operation in support of a more efficient rehabilitation, reintegration and post-release process for violent extremist prisoners and offenders. The Kosovo...
New research brings evidence into Serbia’s media literacy efforts
The Council of Europe and the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media (REM) jointly presented the findings of comprehensive research on the needs, habits and preferences of media users in Serbia to the Permanent Expert Working Group on Media Literacy, consisted of representatives from public...
From Dialogue to Action: Strengthening Journalists’ Safety in North Macedonia
A free press depends on the safety of those who work within it. In North Macedonia, main stakeholders are taking concrete steps to strengthen the safety of journalists in reality. Representatives of public institutions, the judiciary, prosecution, media and journalists’ organisations, civil...
New compendium brings Albanian Supreme Court case law closer to European standards
A new four-volume collection of selected case law of the Supreme Court of Albania developed with the support of the European Union and the Council of Europe, is now available to Albanian judges, magistrates and legal professionals. It aims to promote a more consistent, accessible and predictable...
From laws to practice: Montenegro strengthens victims’ rights
Judges, prosecutors and other criminal justice practitioners and service providers participated in a two-day training aimed at strengthening the protection of victims and supporting the effective implementation of recent legislative amendments enhancing victims’ rights throughout criminal...
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