Horizontal Facility - News
Gender-responsive legal practices in Türkiye – what does it mean for legal professionals?
An international panel on gender-responsive legal practices was organised on 15 May in Ankara, Türkiye as part of the 75th anniversary of the Council of Europe and the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Council of Europe Programme Office in Ankara. The panel aimed to provide an overview...
Prosecutors from Western Balkans share their experiences on efficiency and quality in a regional seminar organised in Albania
The European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ) , in co-ordination with the Consultative Council of European Prosecutors (CCPE) organised in Vlora a peer-to-peer workshop for prosecution offices of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo* entitled “Good practices and shared...
Police managers in Bosnia and Herzegovina affirm manuals on interviewing and public gatherings
The new methodology for conducting police interviews and operational procedures for policing public gatherings were the key issues discussed at the meeting of 55 most senior police officials at their 3rd annual co-ordination meeting held on 16-17 May 2023 in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH)....
Enhancing media pluralism: Serbia's new by-laws
In today’s digital age where the media shapes societal perceptions, effective regulatory frameworks are paramount. With the support of the European Union and the Council of Europe, the Serbian Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media (REM) recently introduced Rulebooks (by-laws) which aim to...
Judges and State Prosecutors in Montenegro enhanced their knowledge on judicial and prosecutorial ethics and discipline
Judicial ethics and principles of professional conduct represent a cornerstone of judicial accountability and professionalism, which needs to be widely promoted among judges and prosecutors, including through judicial training frameworks. Over the course of the workshop held on 7 - 8 May, 35...
Day of Education for Democratic Culture marked by mentor school “Veljko Dugosevic” from Turija
Mentor school for Democratic Culture, “Veljko Dugosevic” from Turija, together with their mentees, elementary school “Slobodan Jovic” from Voluja, marked the Day of Education for Democratic culture in Kaona. The goal of the day was to bring students, local community, and parents together and show...
Young generations of journalists learn about countering hate speech in media
The University of Tirana’s Faculty of History and Philology hosted an open lecture with focus on hate speech, gathering journalism students and experts to discuss about combating hate speech, especially in the media. Organised by the ‘No Hate Alliance’, with the support of EU and Council of...
Online course on hate speech now available for civil servants of Bosnia and Herzegovina and as an open source to public
The Civil Service Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Agency) with the support of the European Union and the Council of Europe, launched in April 2024 the first online course for civil servants on recognising and responding to cases of hate speech. The course, based on an earlier developed Manual,...
Strengthening prosecutorial ethics and integrity in Montenegro
„Disciplinary responsibility is not an internal matter of the prosecution and does not only concern the interests of the prosecutor and the Prosecutorial Council. It is a matter of public interest, closely related to the transparency, accountability and quality of justice, and inseparable from...
Launching the development the first National Strategy for Protecting Victims' Rights in Montenegro
Montenegro has initiated the development of its National Strategy for safeguarding victims' rights, aiming to establish a framework for systematic protection and support, especially for the most vulnerable groups. With the support of the EU and Council of Europe, the inaugural co-ordination...
CORRIGENDUM - Call for proposals – CSO grants for supporting women’s access to justice in Türkiye
Within the framework of the action on “Fostering women’s access to justice in Türkiye” implemented under the joint European Union (EU) and Council of Europe (CoE) Programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye” (Horizontal Facility), the Council of Europe is launching a call...
Exchange of experiences between the high courts of Italy and Albania on harmonisation of judicial practices
A delegation of the Albanian High Court paid a study visit on 22-24 April, at the Italian Supreme Court of Cassation to exchange experiences on harmonization of judicial practices in line with international standards, in particular the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). They explored the...
University students in Türkiye trained on gender-sensitive legal practices
The joint European Union/Council of Europe action “Fostering women's access to justice in Türkiye” launched the Human Rights Education for Legal Professionals (HELP) course on "Access to justice for women" to run between 23 February- 22 April 2024. It aimed to increase knowledge and skills of...
Fostering effective rehabilitation and reintegration support for violent extremist prisoners and prisoners at risk of radicalisation in the Western Balkans region
Equipping violent extremist prisoners and prisoners at risk of radicalisation with practical skills and qualifications that enhance their employment prospects after release and providing them with multi-agency support upon release is crucial for their effective rehabilitation and reintegration....
First group of pilot schools in Bosnia and Herzegovina prepared to become resource centers for democratic culture
The third and final activity for teachers from seven pilot schools in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), organised within the joint European Union/Council of Europe action “Quality education for all”, took place in Bijeljina from 23 to 25 April. Forty primary and secondary teachers participated in the...
Improved capacities of public prosecutors to implement European Court of Human Rights standards in their decisions
The first of four planned meetings for public prosecutors on how to refer to standards and case-law of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in prosecutorial acts and on proper ways to quote ECtHR decisions, took place in Belgrade on 24 April. The meetings are organised by the joint European...
Lawyers from İzmir enhance their knowledge on human rights standards on immigration detention
The joint European Union/Council of Europe action “Strengthening the human rights protection in the context of migration in Türkiye”, in co-operation with the Union of Turkish Bar Associations, continue to support lawyers from local Bar Associations across Türkiye. Sixteen lawyers from the İzmir...
Equal rights for all: European Union and Council of Europe support opening of first LGBTI shelter in Bosnia and Herzegovina
The European Union and the Council of Europe have provided a grant to the Wings of Hope Foundation from Sarajevo, for the opening of the first LGBTI shelter in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This shelter is open to LGBTI victims of domestic violence from all parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina, who need a...
Manual for police education on equality & non-discrimination: a new resource for police trainers in the Western Balkans
The Manual for police education on equality & non-discrimination translated into local languages of the Western Balkans is finally out and available for download. Law enforcement plays a key role in combating racism and racial discrimination, and in promoting human rights, democracy, and the rule...
The CEPEJ co-organises a regional workshop aimed at development of a “Hub” dedicated to new technologies in justice systems
The European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ), in close cooperation with the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina (HJPC BiH), co-organised a regional workshop entitled “Advancing the HJPC BiH regional ICT (information and communication technologies)...