Strengthening access to justice: Free legal aid for human trafficking victims

25 November 2024 Belgrade, Serbia

Legal experts and key stakeholders came together at a roundtable in Belgrade to tackle one of the most critical challenges in combating human trafficking: ensuring victims have access to free legal aid. Organised by the Council of Europe under the Horizontal Facility programme in Serbia and the...

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Towards a more accountable justice system in Montenegro

27-28 November 2024 Podgorica

Under the action "Strengthening accountability of the judicial system and enhancing protection of victims' rights in Montenegro", the European Union and the Council of Europe are teaming up to enhance Montenegro’s judicial system, ensuring fair trials and stronger protections for victims. As part...

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Empowering judges and prosecutors to combat SLAPPs

26-27 November 2024 Teslic, Bosnia and Herzegovina

In the face of growing challenges posed by defamation cases and strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs), 20 judges and prosecutors from Bosnia and Herzegovina sharpened their skills to address these issues effectively. The two-day training, organised by the Council of Europe in...

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PRESS RELEASE

The European Union and the Council of Europe back Montenegro’s work on human rights, rule of law, and democracy through a joint programme

26 November 2024 Podgorica

Montenegro is paving the way for stronger human rights protection, rule of law, and democracy with the support of the European Union and the Council of Europe joint programme, “The Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”, according to the participants at the programme’s annual...

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Countering emerging crime risks linked to innovative technology in financial services in the Western Balkans

25 November 2024 Strasbourg

In an effort to facilitate the exchange of information at the regional level on managing money laundering and terrorist financing risks associated with innovative technologies in financial services, a regional workshop was organised in Strasbourg with the support of EU and Council of Europe. The...

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Building bridges through journalism: enhancing journalistic skills across diverse communities

23 November 2024 Brezovica

As part of ongoing efforts to promote media freedom and enhance journalistic standards, the Council of Europe organised a workshop in Brezovica, Kosovo*. with journalists from both, the Albanian and Serbian communities. The event aimed at discussing how to address the main challenges journalists...

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Promoting gender equality and women’s access to justice across the Eastern Partnership and the Western Balkan regions

20-21 November 2024 Tirana

Judges, prosecutors and representatives from judicial training institutions across the Eastern Partnership and Western Balkans regions met in Tirana, to assess the results of the mentoring programme for legal professionals on women’s access to justice. A series of thematic exchanges were held on...

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Соопштение за медиуми

Европската унија и Советот на Европа ја потврдуваат посветеноста на поддршката на реформите за владеење на правото и човековите права во Северна Македонија

21 ноември 2024 Скопје

Европската унија (ЕУ) и Советот на Европа ја истакнаа важноста на заедничката програма „Хоризонтален инструмент за Западен Балкан и Турција“ за унапредување на реформската агенда на Северна Македонија. Оваа иницијатива го поддржува усогласувањето на земјата со европските стандарди во клучните...

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Strengthening justice transparency in Montenegro

18-19 November Podgorica

Transparency in judiciary is not just a principle—it is a fundamental requirement for a functioning democracy – this was the key message voiced at the workshops for courts and prosecution officers dedicated to development of actions plans for the implementation of judicial communication...

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Towards better legal protection for victims of human trafficking

Belgrade

More than 40 lawyers from Serbia improved their knowledge and skills in recognizing human trafficking and providing adequate legal support to victims. This result was achieved through a series of round tables organized by ASTRA - Action against human trafficking, with the support of the Bar...

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PRESS RELEASE

European Union and Council of Europe renew commitment to supporting justice and human rights reforms

19 November 2024 Pristina

The European Union and the Council of Europe have reaffirmed their commitment to supporting ongoing institutional reforms in Kosovo* through technical assistance and legislative and policy expertise provided by the joint programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”....

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Creating a society of tolerance and inclusion through sports: "Football against discrimination and hate speech"

16-17 November Sarajevo

Fair play starts at the court and lasts a lifetime. This is the overall conclusion of the tournament within the project of the Canton Sarajevo Football Association "Football against discrimination and hate speech" that took place at the Sport Centre "Sobol" in Hotonj, which was held on November...

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Strengthening legal protections for journalists in the Western Balkans: Regional exchange on combatting SLAPPs

15 November 2024 Strasbourg

Promoting a secure environment for media professionals is a key priority for the Western Balkans Beneficiaries as outlined by the Council of Europe’s Recommendation on countering the use of strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs). Through the EU and Council of Europe regional...

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Information session with inmates on their rights in Albania

18 November 2024 Albania

European Union and Council of Europe supported the initiative of the Albanian Commissioner for Protection from Discrimination to enhance the information and understanding of prisoner’s rights and non-discriminatory treatment. The new library initiative of the Bradashesh pre-detention facility was...

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Strengthening the capacities of media regulators: study visit to Ireland

12-13 November 2024 Dublin, Ireland

In a significant step towards strengthening co-operation among media regulation authorities, representatives of the Independent Media Commission (IMC) of Kosovo visited the Irish Regulatory Authority.. This visit supported by EU and Council of Europe is part of a broader two-day peer-to-peer...

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Strengthening access to information in Montenegro: Reinforcing capacities of public officials

6-7 November 2024 Podgorica

Ensuring transparent access to information is a cornerstone of democratic governance, empowering citizens and fostering accountability within public institutions. In Montenegro, public officials from various authorities gathered for a two-day training session to deepen their knowledge of European...

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Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership regions identify strategies towards safer environment and spaces for the LGBTI community

5-7 November 2024 Sarajevo (Bosnia And Herzegovina)

LGBTI persons in the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership regions face significant discrimination and abuse, including violence, due to their sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics. The latest Council of Europe Anti-Racism Commission (ECRI) General Policy Recommendation...

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Montenegro prosecutors gear up for new legal challenges

8 November 2024 Podgorica

State prosecutors from across Montenegro came together for a hands-on "Training Needs Assessment Workshop," to pinpoint skill gaps and plan targeted training to enhance their effectiveness in today’s evolving legal landscape. The workshop marked a significant step forward in strengthening the...

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Serbian universities to pilot democratic culture in higher education

6-8 November Belgrade

University representatives in Serbia are taking concrete steps to integrate democratic values into higher education. During a three-day meeting in Belgrade, experts identified a model to embed the Council of Europe’s Reference Framework of Competences for Democratic Culture (RFCDC) into...

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Enhancing Media Monitoring Capacities During Election Periods

7-8 November 2024 Pristina

Transparent and balanced media coverage during election periods is essential for upholding democratic values and public trust. On 7-8 November 2024, a two-day capacity-building activity was held in Pristina with the support of the EU and Council of Europe, aiming at strengthening media monitoring...

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