OSCE Skopje Mission sponsors public prosecutors' seminar to discuss reform bill
Another legal system project supported by the OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje is an NGO network for trial monitoring to strengthen the judiciary, 17 September 2003. (OSCE) Photo details
SKOPJE, 17 October 2003 - The OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje is supporting the professional development and reform efforts of the Public Prosecutors Association (PPA) by sponsoring its two-day seminar on the 'Status of Public Prosecutors' in Otesevo.
Over 160 public prosecutors are to discuss recent positive developments on the PPA's proposed amendment to a draft law on the Public Prosecutors' Office.
The Justice Ministry's Adviser, Dragan Celevski, will discuss the main proposals included in the draft law. These include a permanent mandate for the prosecutors, revised nomination and election procedures, the creation of an election and disciplinary council - whose members include prosecutors - and clarified disciplinary and sanction procedures.
"We support the PPA because our goals coincide," says Victor Ullom, the Head of the Rule of Law Unit at the OSCE Mission. "We know the judicial system needs improvement, that the rule of law does not prevail yet in all areas, but we welcome the Association's efforts to make the necessary reforms and to fight the necessary battles."
"According to many specialists, the primary threat facing this country in the next decade is organized crime," he added. "The OSCE Mission is pleased to note that the draft law on the Public Prosecutors' Office addresses this crucial issue by proposing the creation of specialized public prosecutors' units to combat organized crime."
The seminar will also be addressed by the Republic Public Prosecutor, Aleksandar Prcevski, the Deputy General Public Prosecutor, Kosta Petrovski, the Skopje Basic Public Prosecutor, Sterjo Zikov, and the Skopje Higher Public Prosecutor, Kasam Hasini.
Over 160 public prosecutors are to discuss recent positive developments on the PPA's proposed amendment to a draft law on the Public Prosecutors' Office.
The Justice Ministry's Adviser, Dragan Celevski, will discuss the main proposals included in the draft law. These include a permanent mandate for the prosecutors, revised nomination and election procedures, the creation of an election and disciplinary council - whose members include prosecutors - and clarified disciplinary and sanction procedures.
"We support the PPA because our goals coincide," says Victor Ullom, the Head of the Rule of Law Unit at the OSCE Mission. "We know the judicial system needs improvement, that the rule of law does not prevail yet in all areas, but we welcome the Association's efforts to make the necessary reforms and to fight the necessary battles."
"According to many specialists, the primary threat facing this country in the next decade is organized crime," he added. "The OSCE Mission is pleased to note that the draft law on the Public Prosecutors' Office addresses this crucial issue by proposing the creation of specialized public prosecutors' units to combat organized crime."
The seminar will also be addressed by the Republic Public Prosecutor, Aleksandar Prcevski, the Deputy General Public Prosecutor, Kosta Petrovski, the Skopje Basic Public Prosecutor, Sterjo Zikov, and the Skopje Higher Public Prosecutor, Kasam Hasini.