Newsroom
OSCE Skopje Mission supports creation of trial observation network
SKOPJE 15 July 2003
SKOPJE, 15 July 2003 - A new trial observation programme, run by NGOs and supported by the OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje, is aimed at restoring public confidence in the legal system and the judiciary.
The project will highlight areas where legal reform is needed and increase respect for fair trial guarantees in domestic courts, thus contributing to the long-term peace and stability of the country.
One hundred and eight specially trained observers today finished testing a new systematic approach to observing trials, involving the use of standard reporting forms in all 27 basic courts. This is an important step in the implementation of the project which is run by a coalition of 18 non-governmental organizations under the name "All for Fair Trials" ("Site za pravicno sudenje").
"This project of the NGO coalition is important because according to a public opinion survey recently conducted by the Institute for Democracy, Solidarity and Civic Society, confidence of citizens is lowest in the judicial system," said Simon Greuter the Rule of Law Project Officer of the OSCE Mission. "This is lower than their confidence in the police, the government or the parliament."
The trial observation will continue in September 2003 after the summer court recess. The information gathered by the observers will be centrally collected and analysed by a team of legal experts. Reports of findings and recommendations for possible reforms will be issued at regular intervals with the first report due in March 2004.
Together with the OSCE Mission, the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) is also supporting the programme.
The project will highlight areas where legal reform is needed and increase respect for fair trial guarantees in domestic courts, thus contributing to the long-term peace and stability of the country.
One hundred and eight specially trained observers today finished testing a new systematic approach to observing trials, involving the use of standard reporting forms in all 27 basic courts. This is an important step in the implementation of the project which is run by a coalition of 18 non-governmental organizations under the name "All for Fair Trials" ("Site za pravicno sudenje").
"This project of the NGO coalition is important because according to a public opinion survey recently conducted by the Institute for Democracy, Solidarity and Civic Society, confidence of citizens is lowest in the judicial system," said Simon Greuter the Rule of Law Project Officer of the OSCE Mission. "This is lower than their confidence in the police, the government or the parliament."
The trial observation will continue in September 2003 after the summer court recess. The information gathered by the observers will be centrally collected and analysed by a team of legal experts. Reports of findings and recommendations for possible reforms will be issued at regular intervals with the first report due in March 2004.
Together with the OSCE Mission, the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) is also supporting the programme.