The project continued its efforts to strengthen lawyers’ knowledge and practical understanding of the right to life under Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Last Saturday, the fourth consecutive training session on this topic was organised for lawyers from the Peja/Peć Regional Branch of the Kosovo*[1] Bar Association.

The event attracted significant interest, bringing together 80 participants, the highest number of lawyers to attend a single training organized by the project to date. The high level of participation reflects strong interest among legal professionals in strengthening their knowledge of European human rights standards and their application in domestic legal practice.

The training focused on Article 2 of the ECHR and Article 25 of the Constitution of Kosovo*, strengthening participants’ understanding of the legal framework protecting the right to life and the obligations it places on public authorities. Participants examined the scope of the right to life, including questions concerning the beginning and end of life, and explored negative, positive and procedural obligations of the State under this right. Particular attention was given to the duty of public authorities to refrain from unlawful deprivation of life, to take appropriate measures to protect individuals from threats to life, and to ensure effective investigations into potentially unlawful deaths.

The training also addressed the legal standards governing the use of force by State authorities, with emphasis on the principles of legality, absolute necessity and proportionality. Through an examination of relevant case law of the European Court of Human Rights and the Constitutional Court of Kosovo*, as well as interactive discussions and hypothetical case studies, participants considered how Article 2 applies in different factual circumstances. Discussions also covered issues relating to euthanasia and the protection of life in road traffic accidents.

The practical approach enabled participants to explore how European human rights standards can be applied to real-life legal questions and to strengthen their ability to identify potential violations of the right to life. The exchanges also highlighted the importance of continued specialised training, particularly on the State’s positive and procedural obligations under Article 2.    

This was the 11^th training session organised for lawyers of Bar Association in 2026.  Across

these activities, the project has strengthened the capacity of more than 600 legal professionals to apply European human rights standards in their practice, contributing to the effective protection of human rights in Kosovo*.