Serbian justice representatives explore safeguards against undue influence

Back Serbian justice representatives explore safeguards against undue influence

Serbian judicial and prosecutorial representatives explored safeguards against undue influence on judges and prosecutors during a study visit to Paris and Strasbourg from 21 to 23 September 2026. The visit brought together members of the High Judicial Council and the High Prosecutorial Council, the President and judges of the Supreme Court, as well as representatives of the Judicial Academy, judges and public prosecutors.

At the French Superior Council of the Judiciary in Paris, participants exchanged views on the Council’s organisation and its role in judicial appointments, disciplinary proceedings and safeguarding judicial independence. In Strasbourg, discussions with Council of Europe representatives focused on the work of the Commissioner for Human Rights and European standards aimed at preventing interference in judicial and prosecutorial decision-making.

The programme also featured a presentation by a Council of Europe consultant on the independent monitoring of alleged cases of undue influence on the judiciary reported in the Serbian media. Participants discussed the challenges and conclusions of the monitoring exercise. At the European Court of Human Rights, the judge elected in respect of Serbia presented relevant case law and practical safeguards against undue influence.

The visit was organised by the Council of Europe through the action “Strengthening legal culture in Serbia and capacities of the judicial and the prosecutorial councils”, as part of the joint European Union and Council of Europe programme Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye.

France 23 September 2026

Diminuer la taille du texte
Augmenter la taille du texte
Imprimer la page

See all news >

The Council of Europe Office in Belgrade was opened by the Secretary General on 16 March 2001, as a contact point for co-operation with the then Federal Republic of Yugoslavia which had applied for membership in the Council of Europe. The work was already underway on joint projects. It has remained in place ever since.

Serbia became the 45th member of the Council of Europe in April 2003, a development that was a natural consequence of the major political changes which took place in autumn 2000 and which allowed Serbia to claim its rightful place among the democratic states of Europe.

Through the Office in Belgrade, the Council of Europe continues to assist the country in its process of democratic reforms and its European integration. In recent years, the Office, in close co-operation with the Serbian authorities, has supported reforms of democratic institutions, the rule of law, human and minority rights, including of the Roma and the LBGTI communities, and local and regional self-government.

The Office also continues to assist with co-operation regarding economic, social, cultural, scientific, legal and administrative matters, and in the maintenance and further realisation of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Belgrade Office: Results in 2025