Instrumenti Horizontal - Lajme
Guidelines for victims’ compensation presented in Montenegro
The Guidelines for exercising the right to compensation to victims in criminal proceedings (for criminal cases of trafficking in human beings, domestic violence, war crimes, and other criminal cases) were presented during a roundtable held on 22 December 2025 in Podgorica. The document is...
High school students created a " Code for a Space Without Violence "
An innovative student-developed solution aimed at promoting positive behaviour and creating violence-free school environments won first place at the final of the hackathon “SafeHack: Code for a Space Without Violence”, held on 18 December in Podgorica. The winning idea was developed by the team...
Key agencies in Türkiye explore tools for asset recovery
Türkiye is strengthening its capacity to apply available asset recovery instruments through a two-day training event aimed at enhancing practical skills and interagency co-ordination. The training brought together participants from the Ministry of Treasury and Finance, the Financial Crimes...
Supporting stronger communication between courts and citizens in Montenegro
Under the framework of the joint European Union and the Council of Europe Horizontal Facility Programme and its action „Strengthening accountability of the judicial system and enhancing protection of victims' rights in Montenegro” the new Action Plan for implementing the Communication Strategy of...
Constitutional and Supreme Court advisers bring Strasbourg experience into Serbia’s judiciary
As a part of its efforts to enhance national implementation of the European Convention on Human Rights, the action “Strengthening human rights protection in Serbia” has been supporting placements of Serbian legal professionals in the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). For Milan Bajić and...
On the frontlines of journalists safety in the Western Balkans
Dragan Sekulovski, Executive Director of the Association of Journalists of North Macedonia, has long been one of the leading voices on journalists’ safety in the Western Balkans. Through his role with the Council of Europe Division for Cooperation on Freedom of Expression, in particular under the...
Understanding rights, finding support: An awareness-raising activity for children on the move
Twenty five migrant children participated in a child-focused awareness-raising activity in Ankara aimed at helping them become more familiar with their rights and freedoms. The event was organised in cooperation with the Ombudsman Institution and the Minus 25 Association, combining expertise in...
Compensation for victims of trafficking in focus during the commemoration of the week for fight against human trafficking
Victims of human trafficking in North Macedonia often face long processes to rebuild their lives and reintegrate in the society. Compensation, as means to reckon the injustice these victims suffered by the society, is essential for their resocialisation and reintegration. This week, as part of...
LGBTI Human Rights Defenders from the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership Regions Work Together to Strengthen Solidarity and Sustainability
LGBTI human rights defenders and activists from the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership regions, including the Belarusian community in exile, met in Pristina to join their efforts in support of gender equality, fight against targeted violence and hate crime, and explore new opportunities for...
Promoting responsible media coverage of children and violence in Montenegro
Journalists from across Montenegro strengthened their skills in responsible and child-sensitive reporting during a three-day training organised by the Council of Europe Programme Office in Podgorica. The event focused on improving media practices in stories involving children, violence and peer...
Judges and lawyers from across North Macedonia strengthen capacities on freedom of expression and SLAPPs
Freedom of expression remains a cornerstone of democratic societies, yet legal challenges such as defamation, insult, and Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) continue to pose significant risks to the public debate and accountability. To strengthen domestic responses to these...
KOMUNIKIM PËR MEDIAT
Partneritet i forcuar me institucionet shqiptare në rrugën drejt anëtarësimit në BE
Takimi i Komitetit Drejtues të Përfituesve të programit “Instrumenti Horizontal për Ballkanin Perëndimor dhe Turqinë” (Instrumenti Horizontal III) theksoi rëndësinë strategjike të partneritetit midis Bashkimit Evropian dhe Këshillit të Evropës në mbështetjen e përpjekjeve të vazhdueshme të...
Aligning practices and advancing co-operation to strengthen post-release support for violent extremist offenders in Western Balkans
Around 40 representatives of relevant institutions and civil society organisations from the Western Balkans gathered in Sarajevo on 3 – 4 December 2025, together with Council of Europe experts, to share knowledge, strengthen co-operation, and harmonise approaches when it comes to providing...
Judges enhance their knowledge on Free Legal Aid and Access to Justice in civil and administrative cases
In a bid to enhance access to justice for citizens, a group of 15 judges from North Macedonia strengthened their knowledge of the free legal aid framework and improved their skills in applying free legal aid standards within civil and administrative procedures. Supported by the European Union and...
Finding the balance between freedom of expression and hate speech: judiciary, public institutions and civil society in dialogue
European standards and relevant case law on combating hate speech, with particular attention to the risks posed by the misuse of criminal law to restrict legitimate freedom of expression were examined during a Judicial Dialogue in Pristina organised with the support of EU and Council of Europe....
Sexism. See it. Name it. Stop it!
On the occasion of the global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign, the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia, the Council of Europe, and WeBalkans, together with the Young European Ambassadors (YEA) network, officially opened an interactive installation titled “Sexism....
Strengthening prison and probation systems in the Western Balkans
The Western Balkans will continue to enhance prison and probation structures to manage violent extremist offenders (VEOs) and prevent radicalisation after release. This conclusion was reached at the 6th Steering Committee meeting of the regional action “Enhancing co-operation in the Western...
Serbian teachers honoured for innovative lessons on democracy and human rights
Five teachers have been recognised for their outstanding lessons plans promoting democratic culture and innovative teaching methods, following the National Competition “Competences for Democratic Culture and the Cross-Curricular Approach – Application in Practice”. The winners were selected by an...
Kosovo Correctional Service to integrate Council of Europe methodology for managing violent extremist offenders
Kosovo Correction Service (KCS) has taken further steps toward integrating the Council of Europe’s methodology for working with violent extremist offenders (VEOs), bringing together prison practitioners, management representatives and experts to prepare for full scale implementation across the...
Care ethics and solidarity: Rethinking how women access to justice in Türkiye
Imagine a justice system where women are met not only with legal protection, but with genuine care, shared responsibility and meaningful solidarity. This vision brought together public institutions, academics and civil society in Ankara for the roundtable meeting “From Care Ethics to Solidarity:...
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