News on ensuring justice
Modernising Property Rights in Albania: Inside the Transformation of the State Cadaster Agency
How would you describe the ongoing reform undertaken at the State Cadastre Agency in Albania? At the State Cadastre Agency, we have initiated a structural and transformative reform aimed at the modernisation of property administration in Albania. For the first time, we have not focused only on...
From Syria to Reintegration: Supporting Violent Extremist Offenders in the Probation System in Albania
In her dark clothing, Fatime* sits quietly, seemingly uninterested in any conversation, waits impatiently to meet her Probation Officer in Tirana. Every three months, she is required to report and discuss her progress with the probation authorities. She is one of the nine women who returned in...
Law students from Legal Clinics in Tetovo strengthen skills to provide Free Legal Aid
Primary legal aid provided by authorised legal clinics is crucial for guaranteeing that everyone has access to justice, in line with European standards. In a continued effort to strengthen their capacities to provide free legal aid, especially for the most vulnerable communities, 33 law students...
Serbian prosecutors discuss judicial reform and European standards
Members of the Prosecutors' Association of Serbia, convened at a round table in Belgrade to discuss key developments within Serbian judiciary, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen legal culture and enhance the capacities of judicial and prosecutorial councils. The discussions centred on the...
Strengthening communication capacities of the High Prosecutorial Council of Serbia
Members and staff of the High Prosecutorial Council Council gathered in Divcibare in the two-day workshop on “Internal and external communication and media relations”. The workshop focused on enhancing capacities for effective, transparent and co-ordinated communication, both internally and with...
Montenegro adopts Victims’ Rights Strategy
The Government of Montenegro has adopted the Victims’ Rights Strategy and Action Plan, marking a significant milestone as the country’s first comprehensive strategy that provides an overall framework for the protection of all victims of crime. The Strategy establishes a systematic and long-term...
Love behind locked doors: Supporting children and families in North Macedonia’s prisons
The bustling atmosphere in the large visitors’ area at Idrizovo Prison is suddenly broken by the clattering of locks, followed by the mournful sound of the heavy iron door leading to the space where families come together. It is a weekend day and visiting hours have just begun. Prison security...
Strengthening the capacities of probation staff in Albania for managing violent extremist offenders
Effective management, rehabilitation, and reintegration of violent extremist offenders (VEOs) under a probation regime requires probation staff to possess specific specialised skills and knowledge. As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the capacities of probation practitioners in Albania and...
Court presidents in Bosnia and Herzegovina focus on reducing case backlogs and improving efficiency
Efforts to reduce case backlogs and strengthen court efficiency were a key focus of the 20th Court Presidents Conference in Bosnia and Herzegovina, bringing together judicial stakeholders and international partners. Organised by the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (HJPC) of Bosnia and...
Advancing comparable legal aid data across Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership
Improving how legal aid systems are measured and compared across countries was at the centre of a regional workshop organised by the European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ) on 25-26 March in Budva, Montenegro. Titled: “From legal frameworks to comparable data and policy use”,...
Montenegro adopts new Code of Professional Conduct for Lawyers, strengthening accountability and public trust
Montenegro has taken an important step forward in advancing the rule of law with the adoption of a new Code of Professional Conduct for Lawyers. The Code was developed with the support of the Council of Europe, drawing on European standards and best practices to reinforce professionalism,...
Montenegro: Further steps taken to strengthen legal aid for particularly vulnerable victims
Montenegro continues its activities aimed at improving the capacity of lawyers to provide legal aid to victims of domestic violence and human trafficking. To support the implementation of the 2024 amendments to the Law on Free Legal Aid, which require that victims of domestic violence and human...
Applying European Court Standards on Liberty in Albania
Legal advisers of the Constitutional Court of Albania took an important step toward ensuring more consistent protection of the right to liberty and security. They enhanced their knowledge on the application of the European Court of Human Rights’ case law and standards under Article 5 of the...
Montenegro publishes Sentencing guidelines for cases of violence against women and sexual violence against children
New guidelines on sentencing in cases of violence against women and sexual violence against children have been published, making them accessible to both professionals and the public. They demonstrate a strong commitment by the judiciary to combat these serious violations of human dignity and the...
Montenegro publishes Guidelines on Victims’ Right to Compensation
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) have been published and made available to both professional stakeholders and the general public....
From standards to practice: How to strengthen victim protection in Montenegro
Protecting the rights of victims of criminal offenses requires continuous knowledge exchange and the professional development of justice professionals. This was the key message of a two-day training on procedural mechanisms for victim protection, with a focus on war crimes. The Center for...
Montenegro advances implementation of the victims’ rights strategy
Montenegro has taken further steps to implement its Victims’ Rights Strategy and Action Plan, establishing a Council to monitor progress across key institutions involved in the protection of victims’ rights. The first coordination meeting of the Council, chaired by the Ministry of Justice on 16...
Supreme Court of Albania advances judicial co-operation during visit to the European Court of Human Rights
A delegation of judges from the Supreme Court of Albania visited the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. This study-visit, organised by the Supreme Court of Albania with the support of European Union and Council of Europe, enhanced judicial co-operation and fostered new opportunities...
Key stakeholders discuss gender equality in the judicial system of Montenegro
The UNDP Gender Team in Montenegro, in cooperation with the Council of Europe Programme Office in Podgorica, through the action Strengthening accountability of the judicial system and enhancing protection of victims' rights in Montenegro, has conducted a comprehensive research on gender equality...
Agency for the Treatment of Property enhances public communication
Under the European Union and Council of Europe joint Action Improving the protection of the right to property and facilitating execution of ECtHR judgments in Albania (D-REX III), 20 senior staff from the Agency for the Treatment of Property (ATP) completed a two-day peer-learning workshop...
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