News on ensuring justice
Prosecutors from Western Balkans share their experiences on efficiency and quality in a regional seminar organised in Albania
The European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ) , in co-ordination with the Consultative Council of European Prosecutors (CCPE) organised in Vlora a peer-to-peer workshop for prosecution offices of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo* entitled “Good practices and shared...
CORRIGENDUM - Call for proposals – CSO grants for supporting women’s access to justice in Türkiye
Within the framework of the action on “Fostering women’s access to justice in Türkiye” implemented under the joint European Union (EU) and Council of Europe (CoE) Programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye” (Horizontal Facility), the Council of Europe is launching a call...
Police managers in Bosnia and Herzegovina affirm manuals on interviewing and public gatherings
The new methodology for conducting police interviews and operational procedures for policing public gatherings were the key issues discussed at the meeting of 55 most senior police officials at their 3rd annual co-ordination meeting held on 16-17 May 2023 in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH)....
Judges and State Prosecutors in Montenegro enhanced their knowledge on judicial and prosecutorial ethics and discipline
Judicial ethics and principles of professional conduct represent a cornerstone of judicial accountability and professionalism, which needs to be widely promoted among judges and prosecutors, including through judicial training frameworks. Over the course of the workshop held on 7 - 8 May, 35...
Exchange of experiences between the high courts of Italy and Albania on harmonisation of judicial practices
A delegation of the Albanian High Court paid a study visit on 22-24 April, at the Italian Supreme Court of Cassation to exchange experiences on harmonization of judicial practices in line with international standards, in particular the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). They explored the...
Strengthening prosecutorial ethics and integrity in Montenegro
„Disciplinary responsibility is not an internal matter of the prosecution and does not only concern the interests of the prosecutor and the Prosecutorial Council. It is a matter of public interest, closely related to the transparency, accountability and quality of justice, and inseparable from...
Launching the development the first National Strategy for Protecting Victims' Rights in Montenegro
Montenegro has initiated the development of its National Strategy for safeguarding victims' rights, aiming to establish a framework for systematic protection and support, especially for the most vulnerable groups. With the support of the EU and Council of Europe, the inaugural co-ordination...
Improved capacities of public prosecutors to implement European Court of Human Rights standards in their decisions
The first of four planned meetings for public prosecutors on how to refer to standards and case-law of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in prosecutorial acts and on proper ways to quote ECtHR decisions, took place in Belgrade on 24 April. The meetings are organised by the joint European...
The CEPEJ co-organises a regional workshop aimed at development of a “Hub” dedicated to new technologies in justice systems
The European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ), in close cooperation with the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina (HJPC BiH), co-organised a regional workshop entitled “Advancing the HJPC BiH regional ICT (information and communication technologies)...
Advisors of the Constitutional Court discussed the application of the quality of law and proportionality tests in the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights and domestic courts
The joint European Union and Council of Europe action „Strengthening human rights protection in Serbia“ organised on 12 April in Belgrade, in co-operation with the Constitutional Court, a training for around 50 advisors of the Constitutional Court on the application of the quality of law and...
Зајакнување на правните клиники и на граѓанските здруженија со цел унапредување на системот бесплатна правна помош во Северна Македонија
Правните клиники и граѓанските здруженија (ГЗ) овластени за давање примарна правна помош се од суштинска важност за осигурување на пристап до правдата и за ефективна примена на заштитата на човековите права во согласност со европските стандарди. Околу 25 учесници учествуваа во петдневната обука...
Regional conference in Belgrade looks at the use of encrypted communication in criminal proceedings
A regional two-day conference on legal aspects of the use of data from encrypted messaging services as evidence in criminal proceedings started in Belgrade today. Its objective is to allow legal professionals from the Western Balkans region to learn from experience of their peers form other...
Improving detection of child trafficking instances in schools in Serbia
Child trafficking is a widespread and underreported phenomenon. According to official data from the Serbian Centre for Human Trafficking Victims’ Protection, the percentage of children among the identified victims of trafficking in Serbia has significantly increased in 2023 and amounts to 62%...
Council of Europe HELP Course on Access to Justice for Women launched to empower Judges and Prosecutors from the Western Balkans
In a significant step towards enhancing gender-sensitive legal practices and strengthening the capacity of judges and prosecutors in addressing gender bias in the judiciary in the Western Balkans, the regional HELP course on Access to Justice for Women was launched with the support of the EU...
Strengthening the role and accountability of court interpreters and translators in Montenegro
Due to their role in judicial proceedings, court interpreters play an essential role in ensuring the equality of citizens in justice-related communications. In Montenegro, around 400 licensed court interpreters provide services for 25 languages in the proceedings before the police, the...
Police officers’ human rights training skills verified in Bosnia and Herzegovina
A group of 10 law enforcement officers was certified to deliver human rights- based training in Bosnia and Herzegovina on 16-17 April 2024, in Sarajevo. This activity is a part of an internal accreditation scheme developed in close co-operation with the cantonal and entity Ministries of Interior...
MEDIA ADVISORY: Regional conference on the use of encrypted communication in criminal proceedings to be held on Thursday
A regional two-day conference on the use of encrypted communication as evidence in criminal proceedings, organised by the joint action of the European Union and the Council of Europe “Strengthening human rights protection in Serbia”, the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement...
New Communication Strategy for Judicial Council and Courts presented in Montenegro
The Communication strategy of the Judicial Council and Courts for 2024 - 2026 and the 2024 Action Plan were presented to court presidents, press judges and the Judicial Council's members. The Strategy defines ways of communicating with public and media, contributing to greater accountability of...
Lawyers from İstanbul enhance their knowledge on “Detention in the context of migration”
20 lawyers from the İstanbul Bar Association completed a two-day training on “Detention in the context of migration”, organised by the joint European Union/Council of Europe action on “Strengthening the human rights protection in the context of migration in Türkiye”, in co-operation with the...
Regional conference takes place in Tirana to discuss co-operation and key solutions with public stakeholders, civil society and key experts from the region and the European Union
Tackling environmental crime through addressing related illicit financial flows and corruption in the Western Balkans
A regional conference focusing on the intricate relationship between money laundering, corruption and environmental crimes in the Western Balkans took place in Tirana, Albania. Organised with the support of the European Union and the Council of Europe, the two-day event brought together key...