Sofija Blagojević: A young hero championing inclusion in Serbian schools

9 January 2025 Belgrade

At just 17 years old, Sofija Blagojević has emerged as an unexpected hero in the eyes of teachers and other professionals working with children. Her dedication to fostering inclusion and fighting discrimination has not only earned her recognition but also inspired those around her. "I was deeply...

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Over 200 Turkish lawyers enhance knowledge on immigration detention standards

31 December 2024 Ankara

More than 200 lawyers from eight Bar Associations across Türkiye, including İstanbul, İzmir, Adana, Kahramanmaraş, Mardin, Bursa, Mersin, and Ankara, have enhanced their expertise in immigration detention standards. Through a series of cascade training sessions, they gained insights into...

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HIGHLIGHTS

Horizontal Facility achievements and future success – after two years of implementation, partners and beneficiaries discuss key milestones

October - December 2024 Western Balkans and Türkiye

The EU and Council of Europe’s Horizontal Facility programme is crucial in supporting reforms in the Western Balkans and Türkiye, helping align them with European standards in human rights, rule of law, and democracy. A cornerstone of the programme are the Beneficiary Steering Committee meetings,...

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Highlights No.7

Improving legal access and human rights awareness in the Western Balkans

October - December 2024 Western Balkans

Notable progress was made in promoting human rights and raising awareness of European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) judgments. Law students gained hands-on experience through internships, enhancing their understanding and practical application of legal principles. Awareness-raising initiatives...

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Highlights No.7

Empowering media and combating SLAPPs in the Western Balkans

October - December 2024 Western Balkans

Important interventions were focused on strengthening the protection of journalists, activists, and the media in the Western Balkans, with a primary focus on combatting Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) but also on advancing the role of the media in addressing key social...

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Hightligs No.7

Aligning Prison and Forensic Practices in line with European standards

October - December 2024 Western Balkans

Recent efforts across the Western Balkans have focused on improving the treatment of individuals within the justice system, particularly those involved in forensic and prison settings. Our initiatives are aimed at aligning domestic practices with European standards in the field, ensuring better...

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Hightlights No.7

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

October - December 2024 Western Balkans

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. For the first...

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Journalists, lawyers and activists join forces to fight SLAPP in Bosnia and Herzegovina

24 December 2024 Sarajevo

With growing solidarity and support from the Council of Europe, journalists, lawyers, and activists in Bosnia and Herzegovina are stepping up efforts to counter Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs), lawsuits aimed at silencing critical voices and discouraging public interest...

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Two new resource centers for democratic school culture opened in Bosnia and Herzegovina

23 December 2024 Bosnia and Herzegovina

Two more schools in Bosnia and Herzegovina have officially become Resource centers for democratic school culture. The Fourth elementary school in Brčko and the Vocational High School in Čelić have become part of a transformative initiative aimed at fostering democratic values and promoting...

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Montenegro’s youth drive change with award-winning inclusive tech solutions

23 December 2024 Podgorica

In a bid to make schools more inclusive and understanding, high school students from across Montenegro gathered for the "Equal Hack: Code for Equality" hackathon, developing tech-driven solutions to promote equality and respect. Maša Radulović, whose team from Nikšić clinched first place, aimed...

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Vendimet të rëndësishme të Gjykatës Evropiane të të Drejtave të Njeriut theksojnë nevojën urgjente për reformë rreth të drejtave pronësore në Shqipëri

20 dhjetor 2024 Strazburg

Gjykata Evropiane e të Drejtave të Njeriut (Gjykata) nxori më 10 dhe 17 dhjetor 2024, dy vendime të rëndësishme, të cilat trajtojnë sfidat e vazhdueshme në sistemin e regjistrimit dhe kthimit të pronave në Shqipëri, si dhe nënvizojnë nevojën e vazhdueshme për reforma të mëtejshme. Në çështjen...

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Lawyers in Serbia boost efforts to combat human trafficking through specialised HELP training

17 December 2024 Belgrade

Twenty lawyers from Serbia have successfully completed the Council of Europe’s HELP course on Combatting Trafficking in Human Beings. The certification ceremony, held at the premises of the Council of Europe in Belgrade, marked the culmination of over two months of intensive training designed to...

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Judicial Academy’s initial training beneficiaries strengthen skills to apply the European Convention on Human Rights

13 December 2024 Belgrade

The joint European Union and Council of Europe action Strengthening human rights protection in Serbia and the Judicial Academy of the Republic of Serbia (JA), conducted a series of practical trainings from October until December on various Articles of the European Convention on Human Rights...

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New research sheds light on impact of hate speech in Bosnia and Herzegovina

19 December 2024 Sarajevo

Two publications on the latest research into the nature and impact of hate speech in Bosnia and Herzegovina, developed under the European Union and Council of Europe’s joint programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye,” were presented today in Sarajevo. The comprehensive...

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Egmont Group Strategic Analysis Course for Financial Crimes Investigation Board

19 December 2024 Ankara

Twenty-five representatives from Türkiye’s Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) have been equipped with advanced skills to strengthen efforts against money laundering and terrorism financing, following a four-day “Egmont Group Strategic Analysis Course” organised by the Council of Europe...

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“Evaluation Report on the Guardianship System for Children in the Context of Migration in Türkiye” published

10 December 2024 Ankara

An “Evaluation Report on the Guardianship System for Children in the Context of Migration in Türkiye” offers an in-depth analysis of the country’s public guardianship system and proposes 11 recommendations for improvement to support its effective functioning. Developed with the expert support...

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Law students gain hands-on experience in human rights protection through internship

18 December 2024 Belgrade

The joint European Union and Council of Europe action Strengthening human rights protection in Serbia gathered law students from Belgrade University, who participated in internships at the Government Agent’s Office, to discuss their experiences in a focus group. The internship programme,...

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Towards better treatment of sentenced persons in Serbia

17 December 2024 Belgrade

The Heads of Treatment Departments from all 29 Serbian penitentiary institutions convened in Belgrade to enhance the implementation of the existing prisoner treatment programmes and prepare for the rollout of new ones in 2025. The meeting, held as part of the Council of Europe and European...

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Empowering future legal experts in North Macedonia on the provision of free legal aid

16 December 2024 Shtip, North Macedonia

Legal clinics and civil society organisations authorised to provide primary legal aid play a pivotal role in ensuring access to justice and effectively safeguarding human rights in accordance with European standards. In the efforts to advance access to equal justice in North Macedonia, around 20...

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Coding for change in Montenegro

10-11 December 2024 Podgorica

Six high school teams from across Montenegro gathered in Podgorica for the “Equal Hack: Code for Equality” hackathon, an exciting two-day event where young minds designed solutions to promote inclusion, respect, and safer online and offline spaces for all. The hackathon, which brought together...

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