“Violence knows no borders, but neither does our empathy.” The words of one participant capture the spirit of this year's Regional Summer School in Trebinje better than any programme agenda ever could.

Inside a simulated courtroom, 30 law students from across the Western Balkans sit before a panel of legal experts. Some represent the applicant before the European Court of Human Rights, others the respondent state, while a third group serves as amicus curiae. They challenge one another’s arguments, cite case law of the European Court and defend their positions.

The case before them is based on the practice of the European Court. At its centre is a woman who was subjected to online harassment and did not receive adequate protection. The students must answer a difficult question: did the state fail to fulfil its obligation to prevent and address technology-facilitated violence against women?

What preceded the simulation were three days of lectures, animated discussions, legal debates over coffee, and long hours spent refining arguments. Students from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia brought different perspectives to the table, but quickly discovered that the challenges they were discussing were remarkably similar across the region.

“To sit in the same room with people from the entire region and dissect a reality in which the screen turns into a weapon brought us a kind of collective reality check,” said Adna Lubenović from Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Organised annually by the Council of Europe, the Regional Summer School introduces future legal professionals to the European human rights system and the work of the European Court of Human Rights. This year's programme focused on digital and sexual violence against women, with particular attention given to technology-facilitated violence and the protections provided by the European Convention on Human Rights and the Istanbul Convention.

Throughout the week, from 6 to 10 July 2026, participants explored cyberstalking, online harassment, doxing, the non-consensual sharing of intimate images and AI-generated deepfake content. They examined the Court's evolving case-law and the positive obligations of states to prevent, investigate and prosecute violence against women, applying these standards to realistic legal scenarios.

Yet it was the moot court exercise that brought these issues into sharp focus.

“This exercise allowed us to practically confront our positions, test our arguments and develop legal rhetoric skills in a realistic environment,” said Staša Andrejić from Belgrade. “It was an immensely valuable academic and practical experience.”

Working in teams, the students prepared legal submissions, anticipated counterarguments and presented their cases before experts. In the process, they strengthened their legal reasoning, advocacy and teamwork skills - qualities that many will carry into their future careers.

“An amazing experience where people from different backgrounds come together to learn, exchange ideas and develop as professionals in the field of law,” added Jurgen Fehimi from Tirana, Albania. “The programme offers a unique opportunity to gain new perspectives and build lasting connections with peers from across the region.”

The topic itself left a lasting impression.

Discussions on digital violence revealed just how quickly technology is changing the nature of harm and how important it is for legal systems to keep pace. While the forms of violence may evolve, participants agreed that the fundamental principles of human rights remain unchanged.

“Listening about the hatred and the systems that often fail to protect women, we exchanged a shared feeling of revolt,” adds Adna. “But we also discovered that technology can serve as a bridge, a safe haven and a place where the most beautiful friendships are born.”

By the end of the Summer School, participants had gained more than a deeper understanding of legal standards and court procedures. They had built a network of future legal professionals united by a shared commitment to human rights and a common belief that the law can be a powerful tool for change.

“The beautiful ambience of Trebinje served as the perfect setting for establishing long-lasting ties,” says Staša, while Adna concludes: “We leave this place richer, with the awareness that, regardless of how many kilometres there are between us, our friendships and our shared effort live in each of our hearts, each shared moment, and each shared online hand that says - I am here for you.”

As the final submissions are delivered and the moot court draws to a close, one thing becomes clear: the next generation of human rights advocates in the Western Balkans is already preparing for the challenges ahead - together.

The Regional Summer School was organised as part of the Council of Europe projects Support to a Coherent National Implementation of the European Convention on Human Rights and Facilitating Execution of European Court of Human Rights Judgments in Bosnia and Herzegovina – Phase II and Strengthening Bosnia and Herzegovina's Responses to Digital and Sexual Violence against Women, in cooperation with the joint European Union/Council of Europe programme Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye and the following actions: Strengthening Human Rights Protection in Serbia, Towards a Consolidated and More Efficient Free Legal Aid System in North Macedonia, Strengthening Accountability of the Judicial System and Enhancing Protection of Victims’ Rights in Montenegro, Strengthening the capacities of the Albanian judiciary to better apply standards on the right to liberty and security - funded by the Human Rights Trust Fund (HRTF) which brings together eight Council of Europe member states: Finland, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, United Kingdom - and Enhancing Judicial Protection of Human Rights (Kosovo*).

* All references to Kosovo, whether to the territory, institutions or population, shall be understood in full compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 and without prejudice to the status of Kosovo.