The EU-CoE JUFREX action in cooperation with the partner institution the Academy of Justice organised a two day training for judges and prosecutors on defamation and protection of reputation, on 24-25 November 2020. About 40 judges and prosecutors from different courts/prosecutions attended the training.

Freedom of expression is a fundamental right, guaranteed by international and domestic instruments. Among others, it is guaranteed by the Article 10 of the European Convention of Human Rights. Protection of reputation is one of the legitimate reasons for restricting this right. The training provided information on concept of freedom of expression and protection of reputation based on local and international standards.

The sessions of training also tackled other aspects of this topic such as reasonable limitations, reputation, harsh criticism, offensive criticism v. unreasonable offense, SLAPP lawsuits, facts v. opinions, court orders, etc.

This Action is part of the “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkey II”, a co-operation initiative co-funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe and implemented by the Council of Europe, which aims at assisting Beneficiaries in the Western Balkans region and Turkey to comply with the Council of Europe standards and European Union acquis in the framework of the enlargement process, where relevant.