Enhancing the human rights protection for detained and sentenced persons in Serbia

Back Strengthening the health protection of persons in police detention throughout Serbia

Mona ALGHAITH

Modified 1 Year ago.

Strengthening the health protection of persons in police detention throughout Serbia

Over 230 medical doctors and police officers from across Serbia received specialised training in May and June to strengthen the health protection of persons in police detention, in line with Council of Europe standards.

The one-day accredited sessions took place in Belgrade, Niš and Novi Sad, gathering general practitioners and emergency physicians who are often the first to medically examine detained persons. Police officers from the same local communities also participated, recognising their important role in protecting health of persons in police detention.

The trainings were organised in response to concerns raised by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) regarding the shortcomings in the investigations of torture and other forms of ill-treatment. To help address these issues, the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Health signed a Memorandum of understanding (MoU) in 2024. The MoU standardises medical screening in police custody, thus enhancing procedural safeguards against ill-treatment, and aligning Serbia's practices with CoE standards. These trainings support the practical implementation of the MoU and are expected to improve the quality of medical reports as a critical asset in criminal investigations and improving their effectiveness.

Next steps include further developing of operating procedures to ensure consistent and coordinated medical care for persons in police detention.

Trainings were organised within the framework of the Action “Enhancing the human rights protection for detained and sentenced persons in Serbia”, as a part of the joint European Union and Council of Europe programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”.

Belgrade 12 June 2025

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The action “Enhancing the human rights protection for detained and sentenced persons in Serbia” assists authorities to further enhance protection of human rights of all persons deprived of liberty and implement recommendations of the Committee for Prevention of Torture (CPT). It works in the areas of police, prisons, mental health care institutions, and social care institutions.

This action is implemented within the joint programme of the European Union and the Council of Europe “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye" running from 2023 until 2026.

What are the goals and objectives of the action?

better protection of human rights in police custody through improvement of operating procedures related to police custody and enhancing capacity of staff in charge of custody processes
greater reintegration of offenders into society by strengthening capacities of Prison Administration staff to deliver specialised treatment and reintegration programmes
improved treatment and protection of human rights of persons placed in psychiatric and residential social care institutions through capacity building of staff and proper implementation of deinstitutionalisation strategies
better monitoring of protection of human rights of persons deprived of liberty by improving capacities of internal oversight and complaint bodies

Who benefits from the action?

Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Justice - Department for Execution of Criminal Sanctions; Ministry of Health, Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs; Ministry of Human and Minority Rights, and Social Dialogue; Ombudsperson office/ National Preventive Mechanism
persons deprived of liberty

How does the action work?

through the interventions tailor-made to address national priorities and real needs as defined by beneficiaries
the action builds on the best practices and results of co-operation under previous two phases of the programme: action “Enhancing human rights protection for detained and sentenced persons in Serbia” (2016 – 2019) and “Enhancing the human rights protection for detained and sentenced persons in Serbia – phase II” (2019 – 2022)
by enabling the action partners to have active role in devising the action and its activities, as well as throughout the implementation process

What do we expect to achieve?

better protection of human rights in police custody
greater reintegration of offenders into society
improved treatment and protection of human rights of persons placed in psychiatric and residential social care institutions
better monitoring of protection of human rights of persons deprived of liberty

What is the budget of the action?

The total budget of the action is 1 000 000 EUR.

The budget allocated to the overall Horizontal Facility programme amounts to ca. 41 million EUR (85% funded by the European Union, 15% by the Council of Europe).

How to get more information?

Council of Europe: Co-operation in police and deprivation of liberty
Horizontal Facility website and e-mail address

About Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye

The “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye” is a joint initiative of the European Union and the Council of Europe that enables the Western Balkans Beneficiaries and Türkiye to meet their reform agendas in the fields of human rights, rule of law and democracy and to comply with the European standards, which is also a priority for the EU enlargement process.