South Programme V

September 2022 – August 2025

European Union/Council of Europe Joint Programme

“Protecting human rights, rule of law and democracy through shared standards in the Southern Mediterranean (South programme V)”

financed under the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument of the European Union

Context of the project

The CEPEJ, through its previous work under the South Programme I, II, III and IV, built strong relations with the judicial authorities and legal professionals of certain countries of the Region (Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt in particular). An "on demand" approach was pursued and aimed at meeting the specific needs of beneficiaries. Thus, responding to a request targeting the efficiency of justice the cooperation has evolved towards an approach more focused on the quality of justice and cyberjustice.

Achieving a better protection of human rights, rule of law and democracy in the Southern Mediterranean region in line with European and international standards is the overall objective of the fifth phase of the South Programme. Promoting the use of CEPEJ tools through best practices sharing, round tables, conferences, workshops, and peer to peer exchanges will be essential. South Programme V builds upon the activities implemented under the previous phases, with a strengthened regional focus (regional activities targeting issues of common interest of the beneficiaries and supporting the existing regional networks) and providing tailored support to the beneficiaries of the region.

Objectives of the project

To strengthen the capacities of the Southern Mediterranean beneficiaries in the field of implementation of judicial reforms and the efficiency and the quality of justice systems, and to reinforce the dialogue and networking between justice professionals, institutions and bodies at national, regional and international level, based on the CEPEJ methodology and on European and international standards.

Expected results

Regional, multilateral and bilateral events will be organised to raise awareness on the CEPEJ tools and methodology as well as best international practices, and to promote regional exchanges on good practices (as examples – improving data collection, introducing and operating judicial dashboards, promoting alternative dispute resolution and mediation tools)
Regional events in the framework of existing networks will be organised (notably, the informal network of justice inspection services, the development of which was supported in phase IV of the South Programme), these networks will be consolidated, and further support will be provided
Tailored support will be provided to the beneficiaries, on the national authorities’ demand (some examples – assessments and evaluations of the functioning of a judicial system, support in reducing backlogs and in introducing cyberjustice tools)

Beneficiaries

Ministries of Justice, High Councils of Justice, justice inspection services, pilot courts, courts’ staff, lawyers and other relevant beneficiaries in the region, Council of State of Egypt.

Contacts

Laetitia Dimanche
Project officer
+33 (0)3 88 90 21 44 90

S andrine Lutz
Project assistant
+33 (0)3 88 41 35 54

USEFUL RESOURCES

CEPEJ documents translated into Arabic

News

Back 2nd Regional Conference of the South-Mediterranean Network of Justice Inspection Services

Louise WIES

Modified 2 Years ago.

2nd Regional Conference of the South-Mediterranean Network of Justice Inspection Services

The European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ), in collaboration with the European Network of Justice Inspections Services (RESIJ) and the High Council of the Judiciary of the Kingdom of Morocco, is organizing the 2nd Regional Conference of the South-Mediterranean Network of Justice Inspection Services on 3 and 4 July in Taghazout, Morocco. The network was established in May 2022.

This conference brings together representatives from the general inspectorates of justice from countries in the southern Mediterranean region (Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine*, Tunisia) and certain European countries that are members of RESIJ (Belgium, Spain, France, Portugal). It revolves around workshops focusing on ethics, personal freedom of expression for judges, their independence, and the requirements of their professional activities. Each inspection has the opportunity to respond to the questions presented in the form of practical cases and exchange best practices for specific situations. An internal meeting of network members will conclude the first day of the conference and determine the network's future activities.

The conference was opened by Mr Mohamed Abdennabaoui, President Delegate of the Supreme Council of the Judicial power of the Kingdom of Morocco, Mr Abdellah Hammoud, Inspector General of Judicial Affairs of the Kingdom of Morocco and Ms Carmen Morte Gomez, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Rabat. Ms Roxana Petcu, the new President of the European Network of Judicial Inspection Services (RESIJ), sent a pre-recorded video message.

The second day will be devoted to a summary of the responses to the case studies, followed by a presentation on the comparative work of RESIJ, which can serve as inspiration for countries in the southern Mediterranean region.

This event is organized as part of the joint program titled " Protecting human rights, rule of law and democracy through shared standards in the Southern Mediterranean" (South Program V), co-financed by the European Union and the Council of Europe and implemented by the latter.

* This designation should not be construed as recognition of a State of Palestine and is without prejudice to the position of each member state of the Council of Europe and the European Union on this issue.

Taghazout, Morocco 3-4 July 2023