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 3rd Conference of the Arab Network of Justice Inspection Services (ARNJIS)

Louise WIES

Modified 1 Year ago.

3rd Conference of the Arab Network of Justice Inspection Services (ARNJIS)

The European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ), in collaboration with the General Inspectorate of Judicial Affairs of the Kingdom of Morocco, organised the third Conference of the Arab Network of Justice Inspection Services (ARNJIS) in Tangier, Morocco, on July 1 and 2, 2024.

It brought together representatives of the general inspections of Justice of the Network's members. Belgium, France, Italy, Portugal and Romania, as members of the European Network of Judicial Inspection Services (RESIJ), were also represented.

The Conference was opened by Mr Abdellah Hammoud, Inspector General of Judicial Affairs of the Kingdom of Morocco, Mr Mircea Teis, on behalf of Ms Roxana Petcu, President of RESIJ, and Ms Carmen Morte Gomez, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Rabat.

Following a presentation of the inspection systems of ARNJIS members, practical case studies provided an opportunity to discuss the relationship between judges and the press and media, the use of social networks by judges, and the participation of judges in activities organised by political parties. The conference also provided an opportunity to exchange experiences and best practices, and to address the common challenges faced by justice inspection services.

The Conference was also an opportunity to launch and present the new ARNJIS website, aimed at improving communication and information sharing within the Network, established with the support of the CEPEJ.

During an internal coordination session, the members determined the number and dates of the Network's next online meetings until July 2025, which will take the form of thematic workshops on topics of common interest, and decided to devote the remainder of their work to developing a common ethical charter for ARNJIS members.

Finally, Djibouti officially joined the Network during this Conference.

This Conference, and the development of the website, were supported by the joint programme between the European Union and the Council of Europe entitled ‘Regional support for the consolidation of human rights, the rule of law and democracy in the southern Mediterranean’ (South V Programme), co-funded by the two organisations and implemented by the Council of Europe.