NGO representatives strengthen trial monitoring skills at OSCE/ODIHR training event in Skopje

Trial monitoring and fair trial rights were the focus of a two-day training event organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), in co-operation with the OSCE Mission to Skopje, on 14 and 15 May 2018 in Skopje.

The trainees – 18 women and five men – were representatives of the All for Fair Trials coalition of NGOs, which is involved in trial monitoring. Many of them were newly recruited monitors who have recently started their work in the field.

The aim of the training was to enhance the participants’ understanding of the principles, techniques, objectives and methodology of trial monitoring and of international fair trial standards.

“Capacity building through training events like this is an important part of ODIHR’s work on strengthening the skills and knowledge of civil society actors engaged in trial monitoring,” said Karine Simonsen, ODIHR Rule of Law Officer. “We hope that this training will allow the monitors to better advocate for respect of fair trial rights in their country.”

During the training, the participants also learned about various elements of fair trial rights, including the presumption of innocence, the right to a public hearing and the right not to incriminate oneself.

“This training has been valuable, as it has provided me with a better understanding of principles of fair trial rights, which will be helpful when conducting trial monitoring,” said Tamara Dimitrovska, a trial monitor from the All for Fair Trials coalition. 

Michelle Prince, Senior Rule of Law Officer at the OSCE Mission to Skopje, said: “Trials put the justice system on display. How the guilt or innocence of the accused is decided is a true measure of the quality of the criminal justice system. By identifying both weaknesses and strengths in trials, trial monitors can have an impact on the accountability and transparency of courtroom processes.”