Second training on integrity plans in institutions of the social policy system successfully completed
01 / july / 2019.
Nis, 30 June 2019 - Second of several "Integrity plans in institutions of the social policy system with competencies in cases of trafficking in human beings and in cases of partner or domestic violence" trainings took place from 27 - 30 June in Nis. Another group of 10 women activists from south and south-eastern parts of Serbiа learned about integrity plans in institutions assigned with protecting rights of victims of family an/ or partner violence and trafficking in human beings. The training presentations were delivered by experts from the Division for Integrity Plans of the Anti-Corruption Agency of the Republic of Serbia, and the City of Belgrade’ Centre for Social Work, as well as by experienced human rights activists.
"Towards the Integrity of Institutions of the Social Policy System in the South and East of Serbia" project is jointly implemented by the Roma Center for Democracy (Bujanovac), the NGO Three Points (Belgrade) and citizens association RIME (Zajecar). The activities of the six-months project are focused on training women activists on integrity plans and on establishing the network of women activists for integrity of institutions with competences in cases of such crimes, with aim to improve the implementation of regulations in cases of trafficking in human beings and in cases of partner violence or family violence. Belgrade based TRAG Foundation supports the implementation of this project, under its "Stronger Together" program.
Photos from the training are available here
Ensure the integrity of the selection process of a new Commissioner for Information of Public Importance and Personal Data Protection
Belgrade, 18 June 2019 - Our organisation joins the appeal to the Culture and Information Committee of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia to follow the criteria of transparency, openness and integrity when selecting a new Commissioner for Information of Public Importance and Personal Data Protection, thus enabling the general public to access all relevant information and to be included in the selection process.
18 / june / 2019.
Belgrade, 18 June 2019 - Our organisation joins the appeal to the Culture and Information Committee of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia to follow the criteria of transparency, openness and integrity when selecting a new Commissioner for Information of Public Importance and Personal Data Protection, thus enabling the general public to access all relevant information and to be included in the selection process.
Our organisation also supports the election of Mrs Nevena Ruzic as a candidate to serve as the new Commissioner for Information of Public Importance and Personal Data Protection.
Here you can learn more about this initiative that received support of more than 100 civil society organizations, media and representatives of the expert public.
Transitional Justice Program - New push to our efforts
16 / june / 2019.
Belgrade, 16 June 2019 - One of major drives of our activism is the non-existent dealing with the past in the region of former SFRY (in regard to conflicts that took place by the end of XX century). One of our goals is to keep the causes of such circumstances under the spotlight, both in Serbia and in the region. Also we intent to design, to propose, to advocate and to implement activities that will change the current circumstances.
Thus we are encouraged and proud that as of today our TJP structure is stronger. Dr. Sarah Correia PhD will be providing us with additional expertise, guidance and advisory support so to ensure that the activities that we plan, the content that we provide and the results we achieve in the field of transitional justice are creating visible and sustainable change.
Dr. Correia holds a PhD from the London School of Economics and Political Science where she is currently engaged as a teaching associate .You can read her biography here
Call for Applications - Second Training on Integrity Plans for Women Activists
01 / june / 2019.
Belgrade, April 1, 2019 - Under the "Towards the Integrity of Institutions of the Social Policy System in the South and East of Serbia" project, partner organisations Roma Center for Democracy (Bujanovac), NGO Three Points (Belgrade) and citizens association RIME (Zajecar) are announcing Call for Applications for second training on integrity plans in institutions of the social policy system with competencies in cases of trafficking in human beings and cases of partner or family violence.
Training on integrity plans in institutions of the social policy system and on how they could bring improvement in implementation of laws and regulations in cases of trafficking in human beings and in cases of partner or family violence is being organised for women activists from south and south-eastern parts of Serbia. The training will be held from 27 - 30 June 2019 in Nis.
Find more information about the Call for Applications here (in Serbian)
Consultative meeting with American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative representatives
17 / may / 2019.
Belgrade, 17 May 2019 - Our activists took part in a consultative meeting with representatives of the American Rar Association Rue of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI), held in the Human Rights House.
The aim of the meeting was to retrospect on the previous cooperation between ABA ROLI and civil society organisations and exchange information on the current situation regarding rule of law in Serbia. During the discussion challenges in work of public prosecutors were mentioned yet along with the fact that communication between public prosecutors and the general public is an exception rather than a rule. Improvements need to be made in the area of integrity - including personal integrity of prosecutors, integrity of the institution and the integrity of the selection process of prosecutors / deputy prosecutors. Both judicial and prosecutorial organizations and associations need to be strengthened - there will be no tangible results in rule of law if majority is not actively engaged and connected strongly with other actors. YUCOM representatives spoke about the challenges in the process of upcoming constitutional changes, on recent changes / amendments to the Criminal Code, as well as on the process of drafting, adopting and upcoming implementation of the Free Legal Aid Act.
First training on integrity plans in institutions of the social policy system successfully completed
12 / may / 2019.
Nis, 12 May 2019 - The first of several "Integrity plans in institutions of the social policy system with competencies in cases of trafficking in human beings and in cases of partner or domestic violence" trainings took place from 9 - 12 May in Nis. First group of 10 women activists from central and eastern parts of Serbia learned about integrity plans in institutions assigned with protecting rights of victims of family an/ or partner violence and trafficking in human beings. The training presentations were delivered by experts from the Division for Integrity Plans of the Anti-Corruption Agency of the Republic of Serbia and the City of Belgrade’ Centre for Social Work, as well as by experienced human rights activists.
Among other, capacities of participants to identify links between violations of rights caused by irregularities in performance of local institutions of the social policy system with competencies in cases of family and/or partner violence and human trafficking, and measures listed in mandatory anti-corruption mechanism tailored to prevent irregularities in the performance of institutions (integrity plan) were developed. By familiarizing participants with integrity plans, awareness was raised on the need and importance of properly assessed risks and adequately determined deadlines and measures for their elimination in integrity plans.
"Towards the Integrity of Institutions of the Social Policy System in the South and East of Serbia" project is jointly implemented by the Roma Center for Democracy (Bujanovac), the NGO Three Points (Belgrade) and citizens association RIME (Zajecar). The activities of the six-months project are focused on training women activists on integrity plans and on establishing the network of women activists for integrity of institutions with competences in cases of such crimes, with aim to improve the implementation of regulations in cases of trafficking in human beings and in cases of partner violence or family violence. Belgrade based TRAG Foundation supports the implementation of this project, under its "Stronger Together" program.
Photos from the training are available here
Participation in the consultative worktop of the GOPAC branch with civil society organizations representatives
22 / april / 2019.
Belgrade, 22 April 2019 - Our activist took part in a consultative workshop organized by the National Branch of the Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC), held in the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia. The aim of this meeting was for MPs to hear about problems in fighting corruption from CSO perspective, so the branch could project its future actions adequately.
Representatives of civil society organizations listed dozens of problems in the implementation of laws, issues with (lack of) functioning of institutions in regard to cases of corruption, as well as examples of problematic sections of laws, both of adopted ones and of those to be adopted. Particularly emphasized were the problems in the media, which in opinion of many have been extended to the point where even the security of journalists is threatened. Ignoring of initiatives and proposals of citizens / civil society and their viewpoints, as well as the absence of dialogue were also mentioned. Almost all CSO representatives warned present MPs about the fact that the Parliament few years in the row did not consider reports of independent bodies in plenary thus failing to exercise control over the work of the Government. Speaking on behalf of Three Points, Andjelka Markovic pointed out that whole series of annual reports issued by the Ombudsman warned about the situation in the social work centres linking the situation to cases of domestic violence / partner violence (including ones that ended with murders), but findings of these reports were never discussed in plenary.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, members of Parliament, representatives of organizations Belgrade Fund for Political Excellence, Transparency Serbia, Crime Investigation and Corruption Network, Bureau for Social Research, Three Points, Law Scanner, Center for Educational Policies, Belgrade Center for Security Policy and CRTA, as well as by representatives of the United Nations Development Program in Serbia and the Swiss Cooperation Office.
