Promoting a safer public space in Bosnia and Herzegovina by recognising and preventing hate speech

25 March 2026 Mostar

Civil servants in Bosnia and Herzegovina are strengthening their ability to recognise, respond to and prevent hate speech, following a tailored training organised by the Council of Europe in co-operation with the BiH Civil Service Agency. The training, held in Mostar on 24-25 March, brought...

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Young European Ambassadors build bridges against discrimination in Venice

Venice, Italy 18-20 March 2026

The Council of Europe works closely with Young European Ambassadors (YEA) to strengthen youth engagement in promoting equality, diversity and human rights across Europe and its neighbouring regions. In this context, 25 Young European Ambassadors from the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership...

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Turning dialogue into everyday action in Bosnia and Herzegovina

31 March 2026 Bosnia and Herzegovina

Across Bosnia and Herzegovina, people working in religious communities, education, and civil society often come from different backgrounds, traditions, and life paths. Yet when they speak about the societies they want to build, their words reflect shared values: responsibility, dignity, and the...

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Montenegro: Further steps taken to strengthen legal aid for particularly vulnerable victims

30 March 2026 Podgorica

Montenegro continues its activities aimed at improving the capacity of lawyers to provide legal aid to victims of domestic violence and human trafficking. To support the implementation of the 2024 amendments to the Law on Free Legal Aid, which require that victims of domestic violence and human...

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Advancing Self-Identification of National Minorities through Dialogue and Community Engagement

27 March 2026 Dropull / Albania

After the successful roundtable in Kukës, the European Union and Council of Europe anti-discrimination action and the OSCE Presence in Albania supported the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Committee for National Minorities in organising another roundtable, this time in Dervican (Dropull)....

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When inclusion becomes part of everyday university life

27 March 2026 Podgorica

When a student feels they truly belong, learning becomes more than lectures and exams; it becomes an opportunity to grow, contribute and thrive. At the University of Donja Gorica (UDG) in Montenegro, this idea is shaping how students with disabilities experience higher education, turning...

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Applying European Court Standards on Liberty in Albania

25 March 2026 Tirana, Albania

Legal advisers of the Constitutional Court of Albania took an important step toward ensuring more consistent protection of the right to liberty and security. They enhanced their knowledge on the application of the European Court of Human Rights’ case law and standards under Article 5 of the...

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Steps to guarantee trafficking victims’ access to legal assistance and free legal aid

25 March 2026 Kragujevac, Serbia

Improved access to free legal aid for victims of trafficking in human beings and enhanced co-operation between institutions were identified as important steps towards strengthening the protection of victims’ rights in Serbia during a discussion held on 25 March in Kragujevac. The round table...

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Understanding hate, building stronger foundations for our communities

24 March 2026 Podgorica

After months of online attacks, Aleksandra* from Montenegro started self-censorship. She withdrew from advocating for her community and even her own rights. Every post, every comment, every debate had become a battlefield, and the cost of speaking out had grown unbearable. This is one of the...

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Montenegro: Handbook for lawyers on combating human trafficking published

24 March 2026 Podgorica

A new Handbook for lawyers on human trafficking has been published and is now available to both professionals and the wider public, marking an important step in strengthening the legal profession’s capacity to combat one of the most serious human rights violations of modern times. Organised in...

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Montenegro publishes Sentencing guidelines for cases of violence against women and sexual violence against children

24 March 2026 Podgorica

New guidelines on sentencing in cases of violence against women and sexual violence against children have been published, making them accessible to both professionals and the public. They demonstrate a strong commitment by the judiciary to combat these serious violations of human dignity and the...

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Strengthening the understanding of environmental crime risks among financial institutions and non-financial businesses and professions in the Western Balkans

18-19 March 2026 Western Balkans (online)

Environmental crime, driven by high financial gains, has emerged as one of the most profitable forms of trans-national criminal activity. It is increasingly linked to organised criminal networks while generating significant money laundering and terrorist financing risks. This requires increased...

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Подобрена психолошка форензичка грижа ја зајакнува поддршката за жртвите на трговија со луѓе во Северна Македонија

18. март 2026. Скопје

Психолози, социјални работници и полицајци од цела Северна Македонија ја зајакнаа својата способност да обезбедат грижа заснована на разбирање за траумата на жртвите на трговија со луѓе, вклучувајќи ги и децата, преку специјализиран капацитет за психолошки форензички и советодавни техники....

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Serbian media and justice actors step up co-operation to strengthen privacy protection online

17 March 2026 Vrdnik, Serbia

Judges, lawyers, media regulators, data protection authorities, and journalists agreed to improve co-operation on privacy protection in Serbia’s digital media environment, following a two-day Council of Europe event focused on legal standards and practical responses to emerging privacy...

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From standards to practice: How to strengthen victim protection in Montenegro

17 March 2026 Podgorica

Protecting the rights of victims of criminal offenses requires continuous knowledge exchange and the professional development of justice professionals. This was the key message of a two-day training on procedural mechanisms for victim protection, with a focus on war crimes. The Center for...

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Montenegro advances implementation of the victims’ rights strategy

16 March 2026 Podgorica

Montenegro has taken further steps to implement its Victims’ Rights Strategy and Action Plan, establishing a Council to monitor progress across key institutions involved in the protection of victims’ rights. The first coordination meeting of the Council, chaired by the Ministry of Justice on 16...

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Supreme Court of Albania advances judicial co-operation during visit to the European Court of Human Rights

3 - 5 March 2026 Strasbourg, France

A delegation of judges from the Supreme Court of Albania visited the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. This study-visit, organised by the Supreme Court of Albania with the support of European Union and Council of Europe, enhanced judicial co-operation and fostered new opportunities...

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Key stakeholders discuss gender equality in the judicial system of Montenegro

11 March 2026 Podgorica

The UNDP Gender Team in Montenegro, in cooperation with the Council of Europe Programme Office in Podgorica, through the action Strengthening accountability of the judicial system and enhancing protection of victims' rights in Montenegro, has conducted a comprehensive research on gender equality...

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Institutions call for stronger co-ordination to better protect journalists in Bosnia and Herzegovina

10 March 2026 Sarajevo

Improving co-operation between police and prosecutors, strengthening the role of contact points for journalist safety, and developing a strategic approach to systemic protection of journalists in Bosnia and Herzegovina : these were the key conclusions of a conference on the safety of journalists,...

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Lawyers in Serbia strengthen skills to combat human trafficking through new HELP course

9 March 2026 Belgrade

A new online training under the action “Strengthening anti-trafficking action in Serbia” has brought together 36 lawyers from Serbia to strengthen their capacity to handle trafficking cases and protect victims’ rights. The course is organised in cooperation with the Serbian Bar Association and...

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