Yatay Destek - Haberler
Strengthening judicial practice on freedom of expression, defamation and protection of reputation
Domestic and international legal frameworks on defamation and protection of reputation was the focus of the workshop with judges and prosecutors organised in Pristina in co-operation with the Academy of Justice. During the event participants learned about the limits of harsh criticism and the...
Trafficking Victims’ Rights Must Come First: North Macedonia Strengthens its Victim-Centred Approach
In force since 2008, the Council of Europe Convention on action against trafficking in human beings requires states to identify and support trafficking victims, protect them from further harm and ensure they are treated with dignity. To support this, a capacity-building activity brought together...
Montenegro establishes its first Chamber of Court Experts
Montenegro has established its first Chamber of Court Experts under the new Law on Court Experts, which entered into force on 17 July 2026. At the inaugural Assembly, held in accordance with the secondary legislation prepared with the Council of Europe support, the Chamber’s governing bodies were...
Strengthening the professional evaluation of state prosecutors in Montenegro
A round table on the professional evaluation of heads of prosecution offices and state prosecutors in Montenegro, held in Podgorica on 26 October, brought together prosecutors from Montenegro, Slovenia, Romania and Serbia, alongside representatives of international organisations, civil society...
Strengthening ethical journalism and countering hate speech in Serbia
Journalists and media professionals in Serbia strengthened their capacities to recognise and respond to hate speech, discriminatory narratives and harmful media content through a two-day event organised by the Council of Europe, in cooperation with the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality...
Legal professionals in Serbia improve their knowledge on the Prohibition of Ill Treatment
A launching event for the tutored online course on the Prohibition of Ill-treatment has brought together 25 judges and prosecutors from Serbia to strengthen their knowledge in effectively applying the European Court of Human Rights standards concerning the prohibition of ill-treatment. The course...
Serbia’s appellate courts and Supreme Court join efforts to harmonise case law
Two joint sessions bringing together Serbia’s appellate courts were held in October 2026, with the aim to promote greater consistency in judicial practice. The first session, held in Nis on 9 October brought together the representatives of the criminal departments of the Appellate Courts and the...
Strengthening judicial capacities to protect freedom of expression and media freedom
Fifteen judges from the Basic Courts, the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court took part in a two-day training supported by the European Union and the Council of Europe. The training aimed to help them apply European standards on freedom of expression and media freedom in their court decisions....
Council of Europe facilitates cross-sectoral institutional dialogue on the implementation of EU Digital Services Act
The Council of Europe, in co-operation with the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media (REM), brought together key Serbian institutions, regulators, media representatives and international partners for a roundtable on the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA), marking an important step...
Serbia’s High Prosecutorial Council discusses priorities for the future
Strengthening prosecutorial independence, addressing institutional challenges and preparing for upcoming legal reforms were at the centre of the Third Professional Conference of the High Prosecutorial Council, held in Kopaonik from 19 to 21 October 2026. The Conference titled “New composition of...
Inter-institutional co-operation, a necessity for the rehabilitation and reintegration of Violent Extremist Prisoners
A clear definition and division of institutional roles and well-defined operational procedures among prisons, probation services, and other relevant stakeholders are essential for an effective inter-agency co-operation in the efforts to prevent radicalisation and violent extremism. This can...
Inclusion Day in Montenegro: Where does a joke end and violence begin?
The Faculty of Philosophy of the University of Montenegro in Nikšić hosted a panel discussion dedicated to recognising and preventing peer violence, promoting inclusive education, and fostering a culture of non-violence. Through discussions with representatives of the academic community, experts,...
Religious communities strengthening solidarity and support for people on the move
How can religious communities help people on the move feel supported, welcomed and included? This question brought together a total of 24 participants, including religious leaders, theology professors, civil society activists, Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees and media representatives in...
Lawyers explore stronger legal protection for journalists and ways to counter SLAPPs in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Twenty-six lawyers from across Bosnia and Herzegovina explored practical ways to strengthen the legal protection of journalists and challenge abusive lawsuits targeting public participation during a two-day training in Neum on 15-16 October 2026. The exchange focused onapplying European human...
New study maps progress and gaps in anti-racism frameworks in the Western Balkans and the Eastern Partnership regions
Across the Western Balkans and the Eastern Partnership region, important laws and policies have been adopted to combat racism and discrimination but putting them into practice remains a challenge. Victims still need stronger protection and easier access to effective remedies. These are among the...
Strengthening the protection of judges’ freedom of expression in Serbia
How can judges exercise their rights to freedom of expression while safeguarding judicial independence, impartiality and public confidence in the judiciary? This question was at the heart of a panel discussion held on 15 October in Belgrade, as part of the sixth judicial conference “Forum Days”...
Venice Commission provides legal opinions for the authorities in Montenegro and Serbia
At its 148th plenary session (held on 9-10 October 2026), the Venice Commission adopted among others: Montenegro A Joint Opinion of the Venice Commission and the Directorate General of Democracy and Human Dignity (DGII) of the Council of Europe on the draft amendments to the Law on Minority...
Better interviews, stronger safeguards: police inspectors prepare to lead change in Bosnia and Herzegovina
For a person in police detention, an interview can be a defining moment. It should be a search for reliable information—not a source of fear or pressure. The way an interview is planned, conducted and recorded can help protect a person’s dignity and rights, while also supporting sound...
PRESS RELEASE
From European standards to everyday impact: Albania marks a decade of European Union – Council of Europe programme co-operation
Over the past decade, the partnership between Albania, the European Union and the Council of Europe has translated ambition into action, delivering lasting change for institutions, professionals and communities. This co-operation under the “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”...
New manual helps police detect human trafficking and protect victims in North Macedonia
A new training Manual is in the hands of the police officers in North Macedonia to help them recognise possible cases of trafficking in human beings (THB), respond safely and lawfully and protect victims’ rights. The Manual is a result of the support from the EU and Council of Europe joint action...

