Within the scope of the Joint Project “Reinforcing Judicial Expertise on Freedom of Expression and the Media in South-East Europe (JUFREX)” co-funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe and implemented by the Council of Europe, a two day training on freedom of expression and whistle-blowers for judges, prosecutors and legal professionals was organised on 14-15 May 2017 in Berovo. The activity was organised in partnership with the Macedonian Academy for judges and public prosecutors “Pavel Satev”.

The training was led by an international consultant, Ms Flutura Kusari, Legal Advisor on media issues at the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom and a national consultant, Ms Cvetanka Perikj, judge at the Appellate court in Skopje. The aim of the training, in particular due to the topic being a relatively new one in the country as well as in Europe in general, was to increase participants’ knowledge and skills on how to conduct investigations and court cases involving whistle blowers in line with Council of Europe’s standards.

The training gathered 38 participants, including judges and judicial assistants of various courts in the country, prosecutorial assistants from both the State and Special Prosecution Office as well as representatives of the State Attorney’s Office. The international expert highlighted court practice before the European Court of Human Rights regarding cases related to whistle-blowers in line with Article 10 of the ECHR, while the national expert outlined the applicable national legislation.

“The views expressed therein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Union”