Judges and prosecutors from the 2025 generation of the initial training programme took part in a two-day workshop in Sarajevo last week dedicated to recognising discrimination and applying European human rights standards in judicial practice in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The training brought together 28 newly appointed judicial professionals who worked with Council of Europe trainers to deepen their understanding of how discrimination can be identified and proven in line with the European Convention on Human Rights and case law of the European Court of Human Rights. The sessions combined theoretical input with practical exercises and discussions based on real-life examples.

Special focus was placed on recognising different forms of discrimination, including those based on age and religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity, as well as on the role of courts and prosecutors in ensuring the effective protection of human rights.

Participants highlighted the practical value of the workshop for their daily work, particularly the opportunity to analyse relevant case law of the European Court and better understand how the Convention is applied in practice.

The training forms part of the continuous professional development programme supported by the Council of Europe through the Human Rights Training Curriculum, which aims to strengthen the capacity of judicial institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina to apply international human rights standards consistently, especially those stemming from the European Convention on Human Rights.

The training sessions for judges and prosecutors are carried out as part of the Council of Europe project Support to a coherent national implementation of the European Convention on Human Rights and facilitating execution of ECtHR judgments in Bosnia and Herzegovina – Phase II. The project is funded through the Action plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina for the period 2026-2029.