Publications
Guidelines for primary legal aid service providers [Albanian only]
Publishing date: 5 March 2024
Content type: Study / report
Where we are: OSCE Presence in Albania
What we do: Human rights, Rule of law
Publisher: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
On how to communicate and receive citizens of vulnerable categories. Published with the support of the OSCE Presence in Albania
The Mitrovicë/Mitrovica Justice System status before and after the mass resignation of Kosovo Serb judges, prosecutors, and administrative staff
Publishing date: 9 February 2024
Content type: Study / report
Where we are: OSCE Mission in Kosovo
What we do: Rule of law
Publisher: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
This report analyses publicly available statistical data and factual observations collected about the functioning of the Kosovo justice system institutions in the Mitrovicë/Mitrovica region before and after the mass resignation of Kosovo Serb judges, prosecutors, and administrative staff in November 2022. It identifies the impact of the resignations on the Mitrovicë/Mitrovica justice system, with a focus on rule of law and fair trial standards, particularly the right to trial within a reasonable time and access to justice.
Barometer for Equal Opportunities- Report
Publishing date: 7 December 2023
Content type: Study / report
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Skopje
What we do: Rule of law, Tolerance and non-discrimination
Publisher: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
"Barometer for Equal Opportunities" is an OSCE and EU-sponsored survey, which was conducted in collaboration with Commission on Prevention and Protection against Discrimination and the Macedonian Centre for International Co-operation. This comprehensive survey unveils the key findings that shed light on perceptions of and experiences with discrimination and inequality in our society. It was conducted across diverse demographics and compared with past surveys from 2009, 2013, and 2018, and it gives us a powerful view into evolving trends in these areas.
Manual on the use of Deferred Prosecution Agreements
Publishing date: 4 December 2023
Content type: Guide / manual / handbook
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Serbia
What we do: Rule of law
Publisher: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
The manual deals with the proper application of the principle of deferred prosecution in criminal proceedings, the problems that arise in its application, as well as the unification of the actions of public prosecution offices. The authors’ intention when drafting the manual was to standardize
Criminal Case Management and the Scheduling of Trials
Publishing date: 31 October 2023
Content type: Study / report
Where we are: OSCE Mission in Kosovo
What we do: Human rights, Rule of law
Publisher: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
The OSCE report ‘Criminal Case Management and the Scheduling of Trials’ reviews criminal trials scheduled over a three-month reporting period in 2023. The report examines international case management best practices together with OSCE trial monitoring findings to assess challenges and barriers to efficient criminal trial scheduling in Kosovo.
Communication with witnesses and victims
Publishing date: 27 October 2023
Content type: Guide / manual / handbook
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Serbia
What we do: Rule of law
Publisher: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
The publication is intended for representatives of the Ministry of Interior who, in their daily work, are in contact with witnesses and victims of criminal acts. The aim of the publication was to add a psychological aspect to the international and domestic regulations and other acts that make up
Trial Monitoring Report on Detention on Remand
Publishing date: 25 October 2023
Content type: Study / report
Where we are: OSCE Mission in Kosovo
What we do: Rule of law
Publisher: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
This report provides an analysis of data collected in 2022 and 2023 by the OSCE Mission in Kosovo trial monitoring programme on the use of detention on remand against adult defendants in Kosovo.
Victims of Crime and Legal Instruments for Their Protection in Criminal Law
Publishing date: 1 October 2023
Content type: Guide / manual / handbook
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Serbia
What we do: Rule of law
Publisher: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
International Legal Standards, Regional Criminal Legislation, Application and Measures for Improving Protection of Victims’ Rights
Analysis of the Law on Execution of Sanctions
Publishing date: 20 July 2023
Content type: Study / report
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Skopje
What we do: Human rights, Good governance, Rule of law
Publisher: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
The execution of sanctions is the final piece that closes the entire process of adjudication in criminal procedure. The lack of proper sanctions enforcement through a clear, understandable and fair procedure, the incomplete legal framework, as well as the inconsistent practice of the courts at the four appellate regions in North Macedonia, contributes to the negative public perception, especially in “high profile” cases. The Mission, in cooperation with the national Judges’ Association and the Skopje Basic Criminal Court, developed an Analysis of the practical problems of the procedure for execution of sanctions, addressing the legislative gaps and providing concrete legislative solutions. The Analysis includes diverse court practices from the appellate regions and recommends practical approaches to overcome certain challenges. Not available in English.
Expertise in criminal procedure- Guidebook for practitioners
Publishing date: 20 July 2023
Content type: Guide / manual / handbook
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Skopje
What we do: Human rights, Good governance, Rule of law
Publisher: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
During the implementation of the current LCP, during trial monitoring activities and over discussion with national legal practitioners, it became obvious that one of the weaknesses among legal practitioners is the adequate use of expert opinions, expert witnesses and technical advisors as a tool for representing facts as evidence in Court, and their effective, efficient and financially justified conduct in accordance with the rules and principles of the national criminal procedure. The Law on Expertise, as lex specialis needs to be understood in the context of the LCP and the purpose of the expert witnesses during a criminal case trial. Therefore, the OSCE Mission to Skopje supported the drafting of this Guidebook for legal practitioners including positive and negative examples from the national court practice, ECtHR jurisprudence and additional elaborations of the novelties in the Law on Expertise.