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Prosecutors strengthen capacities to uphold media freedom and protect journalists

Safeguarding media freedom and ensuring the safety of journalists are essential components of a democratic society and the rule of law. Prosecutors play a key role in preventing and responding to threats, violence, and legal harassment targeting media professionals.

To strengthen prosecutorial capacities in these areas, the EU/CoE Action “Protecting Freedom of Expression and of the Media (PROFREX)”, in cooperation with the Basic Prosecution Office of Pristina and the Academy of Justice, held a specialised training session for approximately 20 prosecutors. The initiative responded to a direct institutional request to enhance knowledge and practical skills related to the protection of journalists and the prevention of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs).

The training offered an in-depth overview of international and European legal standards on freedom of expression, with a focus on the European Convention on Human Rights and the relevant case law of the European Court of Human Rights. Particular attention was given to the role of prosecutors in ensuring the physical and legal safety of journalists, protecting sources and whistleblowers, and effectively addressing threats or acts of intimidation.

Participants also explored the emerging phenomenon of SLAPPs, as abusive legal actions aimed at silencing public interest reporting and discussed how to identify and address such cases in practice. The Council of Europe’s recent work in this field, including the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers’ Recommendation CM/Rec(2024)2, the Directive (EU) 2024/1069 of the European Parliament and campaigns such as Journalism Matters, were presented and discussed.

By the end of the session, prosecutors had gained concrete tools to apply international standards in domestic proceedings and better respond to violations against media actors.

The action “Protecting freedom of expression and of the media (PROFREX)”, implemented by the Division for Cooperation on Freedom of Expression of the Council of Europe, is part of the joint European Union and the Council of Europe programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”.


 


 


 

Pristina 11 April
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Fifty practitioners to enhance skills in provision of occupational therapy

Following the adoption of the Guidelines for Occupational Therapy (OT), as well as the Training of Trainers (ToT) on OT that took place in January 2024, three 2-day cascade training sessions were organised in the course of February and March 2024.  Fifty professionals, mainly from the Prison Health Department, along with representatives from the Correctional Services, Institute for Forensic Psychiatry, and the Special Institute for Persons with Mental and Physical Disabilities, were trained on this important form of therapy.

To complement the theoretical aspects and provide the trainees with practical knowledge, some of the sessions were conducted in the Dubrava Prison, in a section which houses prisoners with both mental and somatic problems. This on-site training allowed the participants to observe and understand the application of OT principles in a real-life setting, thus enhancing their learning experience by connecting theory and practice.

These cascade training sessions allowed the participants to further improve their skills in applying the OT Guidelines and tools in prisons and other closed institutions, a concept which was thus far not utilised in a structured manner. Furthermore, training healthcare and correctional professionals together helps them further strengthen the inter-institutional cooperation in the treatment and rehabilitation of some of the most vulnerable members of the society.

Each of these sessions were facilitated by two trainers who had participated in the ToT in January and were supervised and mentored by a Council of Europe consultant who has been involved in the process since the very beginning, thus further strengthening institutional capacity to provide training.

The activity was conducted under the auspices of the Council of Europe project “Improvement of the treatment of persons deprived of liberty”.

 

 

*All references to Kosovo, whether to the territory, institutions, or population, in this text shall be understood in full compliance with United National Security Council Resolution 1244 and without prejudice to the status of Kosovo.

Istog/ Istok 26 March 2024
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