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From European standards to everyday impact: Western Balkans Beneficiaries and Türkiye mark a decade of EU–Council of Europe programme co-operation
Over the past decade, the partnership between Western Balkans Beneficiaries and Türkiye, with the European Union and the Council of Europe has translated ambition into action, lasting change for institutions, professionals and communities. This co-operation under the “Horizontal Facility for the...
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...
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...
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”...
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...
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...
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...
National Co-ordination Body for Free Legal Aid in North Macedonia addresses key developments and future reform of the legal aid system
Main developments in the implementation of the free legal aid framework in North Macedonia and key priorities for further strengthening the system were discussed during the 18th Meeting of the National Coordination Body for Free Legal Aid. The event brought together around 60 representatives of...
Strengthening mediation to make dispute resolution more effective in Bosnia and Herzegovina
How can mediation become more effective in Bosnia and Herzegovina? This was a key focus of discussions at a two-day workshop organised on 17 and 18 September 2026 in Vlašić, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The workshop followed an observation visit conducted on 27 and 28 April in Sarajevo, Banja Luka and...
Përmbledhja e re e afron më tej jurisprudencën e Gjykatës së Lartë të Shqipërisë me standardet evropiane
Një përmbledhje e re me katër vëllime të jurisprudencës së zgjedhur të Gjykatës së Lartë të Shqipërisë, e zhvilluar me mbështetjen e Bashkimit Evropian dhe Këshillit të Evropës, tani është në dispozicion të gjyqtarëve, magjistratëve dhe profesionistëve ligjorë shqiptarë, duke synuar të promovojë...
Breaking the cycle: Transforming violent extremist prisoners in the Western Balkans
Violent Extremist Prisoners and Offenders (VEP/O-s) are individuals whose crimes were shaped not only by personal circumstance but also by radical and dangerous ideologies. Managing and rehabilitating these prisoners presents an extraordinary challenge for authorities in the Western Balkans. In...
Preparing judges in Serbia for a new approach to performance evaluation
Members of the Commission for the Evaluation of the Work of Judges and court presidents in Serbia strengthened their knowledge and practical skills to apply new procedures for evaluating judicial performance. Two two-day sessions, organised in co-operation with the High Judicial Council, focused...
Improving forensic psychiatric patients’ treatment in Lezha provisional facility
Forensic psychiatric patients accommodated in Lezha provisional facility will benefit from enhanced services and support thanks to the assistance provided by EU and Council of Europe to the Albanian Prison Service which is aiming to improve internal categorisation and their treatment. Two experts...
Montenegro strengthens judicial independence with new Law on salaries of judges and prosecutors
The Parliament of Montenegro adopted the Law on Salaries of Holders of Judicial Functions, introducing a unified framework for the salaries, related rights and retirement of judges and prosecutors, including judges of the Constitutional Court. The new legal framework, which will apply from 1...
Strategic communication for a more open and transparent Constitutional Court in Montenegro
The Constitutional Court of Montenegro is strengthening its capacity for strategic and crisis communication, with a focus on greater openness, transparency and public trust. A workshop, co-organised with EUROL 4, brought together judges and the Court’s public relations team to support the...
Modernizimi i Sistemit të Prokurorisë në Kosovë: Mjetet Digjitale për një Drejtësi më të Fuqishme
Petrit Kryeziu, Kryeprokuror i Prokurorisë Themelore në Prizren, përdor Sistemin Informativ për Menaxhimin e Lëndëve (CMIS) për të menaxhuar lëndët e tij dhe për të gjeneruar shabllonet e vendimeve të reja. Këto shabllone vendimesh, të integruara së fundmi në sistemin e drejtësisë në Kosovë*,...
Albania strengthens prison staff preparedness to manage and rehabilitate violent extremist prisoners
A new training framework developed with the support of the European Union and the Council of Europe will help Albanian prison practitioners strengthen their skills in detecting signs of radicalisation, managing violent extremist prisoners (VEPs) and supporting their rehabilitation and...
Albanian probation professionals pave the way for stronger professional development
Probation professionals from across Albania have identified key steps to strengthen the capacity-building system of the Albanian Probation Service, including induction, continuous professional development and the development of internal expertise to support more effective rehabilitation and...
New approach strengthens the evaluation of work of judges in Serbia
Members of the Commission for the Evaluation of the Work of Judges and court presidents increased their knowledge and skills on various aspects of implementation of new rules on performance assessment of judges during a two-day training organised in co-operation with the High Judicial Council....
Colors Beyond Bars: Transformative Power of Art Therapy in Serbian Prisons
Over the years, the Directorate for Execution of Criminal Sanctions in Serbia has recognised the profound role that creative workshops and art therapy play in rehabilitation of prisoners. By fostering creativity and self-expression, these programmes offer inmates a chance to process their...
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