Regional discussion among prosecutors’ associations helps advance judicial reform process

BELGRADE, 8 November 2013 – Representatives of prosecutors’ associations from across the region gathered today in Belgrade to exchange experiences on the judicial reform process. The conference on the “Reform of the judiciary and the role of professional associations” was organized by the OSCE Mission to Serbia and the Association of Public Prosecutors and Deputy Public Prosecutors of Serbia.

The conference brought together some 100 prosecutors from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Hungary, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia. At the heart of discussions were issues such as the reform of prosecution services, performance evaluation for prosecutors, and the role of professional associations.

“Professional associations must play a key role in upholding judicial independence, a pillar of any judicial system,” said Paula Thiede, Deputy Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia.. “The exchange of experiences among prosecutors in the region can help advance the democratic reform of judiciary and of prosecutorial services,” she added.  

“The participation and the role of professional associations in the judicial reform process needs to be recognized and upheld, and this conference contributed to that goal,” said Goran Ilic, President of the Prosecutors’ Association of Serbia..

Minister of Justice Nikola Selakovic, also addressed participants at the opening of the event.