Strengthening cross-border financial investigation involving digital payments and virtual assets

The rapid growth of digital payment services and virtual assets presents new opportunities and challenges for investigation and prosecution in the Western Balkans Beneficiaries. Over 30 professionals from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia,...

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Council of Europe backs future legal professionals to uphold human rights standards

In a celebration of emerging legal professionals and regional cooperation, the Council of Europe took part in the Regional Mock Trial Award Ceremony in Tirana, supporting law students from across Albania and the Western Balkans as they sharpened their advocacy skills and deepened their...

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Conference Highlights the Importance of Alternative Care for Unaccompanied Children on the Move

Nearly 49 million children have been forcibly displaced worldwide − many unaccompanied or separated from their families. In response to their urgent protection needs, an online conference on “Alternative Care Arrangements for Unaccompanied and Separated Children in the Context of Migration”...

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Integrating European Media Freedom Act and Digital Services Act in Albania’s media framework

As Albania advances on its path to European Union accession, aligning its media legislation with European standards is a critical step. In this context, the Albanian Audiovisual Media Authority (AMA) took part in a capacity-building workshop focused on the transposition and implementation of the ...

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Digitalisation, Artificial Intelligence and related challenges to human rights protection in the loop of Equality Bodies.

With the active participation of 22 staff members from the Ombudsperson Institution, a two-day training session took place on in Istog/Istok, focusing on the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on non-discrimination and the evolving role of equality bodies. The training aimed to strengthen the...

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Ново информативно видео за работата на Комисијата за надомест на жртви на кривични дела со насилство промовирано во Северна Македонија

Кои се правата на жртвите на кривични дела со насилство?

По усвојувањето на Законот за паричен надомест на жртвите на кривични дела со насилство во ноември 2022 година, во февруари 2024 година беше основана Комисијата за надомест на жртвите на жртвите на кривични дела со насилство. Задачата на Комисијата е јасна: да ги испита и одобри барањата за...

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Albania’s School of Magistrates attends the 2025 HELP Conference in Strasbourg on the harmonisation of legal training

Ador Koleka, senior representative of the School of Magistrates of Albania, has joined legal professionals and judicial training institutions from across Europe at the 2025 Human Rights Education for Legal Professionals (HELP) Network Conference, taking place in Strasbourg on 3–4 July. The...

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Prison Police Intervention Teams in North Macedonia enhance capacities on human rights safeguards and accountability

The EU and Council of Europe are providing continuous assistance to the public authorities in North Macedonia to enhance the protection of the human rights of prisoners and detained persons, in line with European standards. Twenty-three officers from Prison Police Intervention Teams attended the...

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Police professionals in Bosnia and Herzegovina honour co-operation with Council of Europe in promoting human rights

Law enforcement officers from the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina gathered in Sarajevo to mark the Police Day, a special occasion dedicated to honouring their commitment to public safety and community service. The highlight of the event was the prestigious “Golden Badge” awards ceremony,...

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Montenegro strengthens anti-money laundering supervision by upgrading Financial Intelligence Unit IT system

The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) in Montenegro successfully completed the upgrade of its information and technology (IT)infrastructure, a milestone achievement made possible through the support of the EU and Council of Europe Aciton against Economic Crime in Montenegro. This improvement...

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Get to know the most recent publications under the Horizontal Facility programme

In this edition of Highlights, we present the main publications produced under the framework of the Horizontal Facility III programme with an aim to enhance knowledge and bring European standards in various areas closer to the beneficiaries in the Western Balkans and in Türkiye. The publication...

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Advancing legal reforms to strengthen court expert accountability in Montenegro

In a concerted effort to enhance the quality, professionalism, and accountability of court experts in Montenegro, key support [BB1] has been provided to the Ministry of Justice in drafting amendments to the Law on Court Experts, by compiling relevant European standards related to the work of...

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New Codes of Ethics for judges and prosecutors in Montenegro to bolster judicial integrity

The process of drafting of new Codes of Ethics for judges and prosecutors in Montengro has been recently launched, marking an important step forward toward reinforcing ethical standards and promoting integrity across the justice system. Supported by the joint European Union and Council of Europe...

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Montenegro adopts new appraisal rules for judges and prosecutors to enhance transparency and merit-based evaluation

In a landmark move towards strengthening the rule of law and promoting professional excellence within the judiciary and prosecution service, the Judicial Council and the Prosecutorial Council of Montenegro have recently adopted new rules governing the appraisal of judges and prosecutors. The new...

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State Cadastre Agency in Albania strengthens communication efforts to better serve citizens

In order to address a core institutional need of the State Cadastre Agency (SCA) to ensure that citizens consistently receive clear and helpful communication, a workshop was organised in Tirana with the support of the EU and Council of Europe. More than 45 staff from the Agency and its regional...

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Strengthening police role to ensure journalists' safety in Albania

Police play a vital role in protecting journalists and ensuring a safe environment for free and independent media. Strengthening their capacity to understand, prevent, and respond to threats against journalists is essential to uphold freedom of expression and democratic values. The two-day...

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Albanian women’s prison to pilot trauma-informed therapy

The European Union and Council of Europe continues to assist Albanian prison service to introduce Trauma-Informed Therapy (TiT) in Pojska, Albania’s only prison for women offenders. Following earlier advanced training on TiT for Pojska prison psycho-social staff and representatives of the...

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Strengthening protection of journalists in Albania through dialogue and co-operation

As threats and attacks against journalists in Albania remain a concern, efforts to improve their safety through institutional co-operation and dialogue are gaining momentum. Journalists, prosecutors, police officials, civil society, and international partners gathered in Shkodër for a...

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Enhancing Transparency and Accuracy of Beneficial Ownership Data in Türkiye

The European Union and Council of Europe “Action against money laundering in Türkiye”, in co-operation with the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK), held a workshop in Ankara to support ongoing domestic efforts to enhance the transparency and reliability of beneficial ownership (BO) data...

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Venice Commission provides legal opinions for the authorities in Montenegro and North Macedonia

The Expertise Co-ordination Mechanism (ECM), a system established under the joint European Union and Council of Europe Horizontal Facility III programme, continues to provide important legislative expertise and policy advice for the beneficiaries in the Western Balkans. At its 143rd Plenary...

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