News on combating discrimination
Role of religion in promoting human rights: how can religion and religious communities contribute to combating hate speech?
The European Union and the Council of Europe, in partnership with the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees of Bosnia and Herzegovina, organised on 17-18 May on Jahorina a discussion with the title How can religion and religious communities contribute to combating hate speech. This activity...
Citizens are aware about the role of the Commission for Prevention and Protection against Discrimination to ensure equal rights in North Macedonia
The Commission for Prevention and Protection against Discrimination of North Macedonia presented its Annual Report in a public event organised with the support of the EU and Council of Europe. The report highlighted a record-breaking 523 cases submitted to the Commission, the highest in its...
Key recommendations on enhanced prevention of various forms of child trafficking endorsed by anti-trafficking actors in North Macedonia
The Sub-group on Child Trafficking of the National Anti-trafficking Commission of North Macedonia gathered in Skopje to discuss concrete ways of preventing child trafficking for labour exploitation, begging and forced marriages. The aim of the Conference, supported by the European Union and the...
Law enforcement and civil society representatives strengthen co-operation on protecting the rights of vulnerable groups
The European Union and the Council of Europe organised a peer exchange between law enforcement and civil society representatives from Albania, Kosovo* and Ukraine to strengthen their cooperation on protection of vulnerable groups. Organised as part of activities marking the International Day...
Serbian authorities visit Helsinki to learn from the Finnish experience in combating human trafficking
A Serbian delegation composed of representatives of the Ministry of the Interior, Ombudsperson’s Office and Labour Inspectorate met with counterparts in Helsinki, Finland, on 21 and 22 May 2024, during a study visit organised by the joint European Union and Council of Europe action “Strengthening...
Call for tenders: Purchase of communication and visibility services in the context of the Horizontal Facility III action on “Promoting equality and combating racism and intolerance in the Western Balkans”
Within the framework of the joint European Union and Council of Europe “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye” programme, aiming at supporting the Western Balkans and Türkiye to comply with European standards, the Council of Europe is currently implementing the action “Promoting...
Boosting co-operation with local actors in North Macedonia to advance the fight against discrimination and hate speech, in line with European standards
Implementing European standards and strong co-operation among all stakeholders is the key to a successful fight against discrimination and hate speech. This was the main message from the third Steering Committee meeting of the action “Combating hatred and intolerance in North Macedonia“ which...
Improving the right to employment, education, and health for the LGBTI community in Albania
As among the activities marking the International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT) in Albania, an important public discussion on access to services for LGBTI people was organised by the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, with the support of the European Union and...
Gender-responsive legal practices in Türkiye – what does it mean for legal professionals?
An international panel on gender-responsive legal practices was organised on 15 May in Ankara, Türkiye as part of the 75th anniversary of the Council of Europe and the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Council of Europe Programme Office in Ankara. The panel aimed to provide an overview...
Day of Education for Democratic Culture marked by mentor school “Veljko Dugosevic” from Turija
Mentor school for Democratic Culture, “Veljko Dugosevic” from Turija, together with their mentees, elementary school “Slobodan Jovic” from Voluja, marked the Day of Education for Democratic culture in Kaona. The goal of the day was to bring students, local community, and parents together and show...
Young generations of journalists learn about countering hate speech in media
The University of Tirana’s Faculty of History and Philology hosted an open lecture with focus on hate speech, gathering journalism students and experts to discuss about combating hate speech, especially in the media. Organised by the ‘No Hate Alliance’, with the support of EU and Council of...
Online course on hate speech now available for civil servants of Bosnia and Herzegovina and as an open source to public
The Civil Service Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Agency) with the support of the European Union and the Council of Europe, launched in April 2024 the first online course for civil servants on recognising and responding to cases of hate speech. The course, based on an earlier developed Manual,...
University students in Türkiye trained on gender-sensitive legal practices
The joint European Union/Council of Europe action “Fostering women's access to justice in Türkiye” launched the Human Rights Education for Legal Professionals (HELP) course on "Access to justice for women" to run between 23 February- 22 April 2024. It aimed to increase knowledge and skills of...
First group of pilot schools in Bosnia and Herzegovina prepared to become resource centers for democratic culture
The third and final activity for teachers from seven pilot schools in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), organised within the joint European Union/Council of Europe action “Quality education for all”, took place in Bijeljina from 23 to 25 April. Forty primary and secondary teachers participated in the...
Lawyers from İzmir enhance their knowledge on human rights standards on immigration detention
The joint European Union/Council of Europe action “Strengthening the human rights protection in the context of migration in Türkiye”, in co-operation with the Union of Turkish Bar Associations, continue to support lawyers from local Bar Associations across Türkiye. Sixteen lawyers from the İzmir...
Equal rights for all: European Union and Council of Europe support opening of first LGBTI shelter in Bosnia and Herzegovina
The European Union and the Council of Europe have provided a grant to the Wings of Hope Foundation from Sarajevo, for the opening of the first LGBTI shelter in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This shelter is open to LGBTI victims of domestic violence from all parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina, who need a...
Manual for police education on equality & non-discrimination: a new resource for police trainers in the Western Balkans
The Manual for police education on equality & non-discrimination translated into local languages of the Western Balkans is finally out and available for download. Law enforcement plays a key role in combating racism and racial discrimination, and in promoting human rights, democracy, and the rule...
Assisting the Government of Montenegro in preparing new national 2024-2029 LGBTI Strategy
The first session of the working group in charge of drafting a new National LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex) Strategy for the period 2024-2029, took place on 26 March in municipality of Bar, Montenegro. This activity, aimed at devising a new national strategy tailored to the...
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...
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%...
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