UNODC visited the Palace of Justice in Kragujevac

07 June 2024, Kragujevac, Serbia: Following the UNODC's structured study trip for judges at the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in Strasbourg, on 07 June 2024, UNODC visited the newly built Palace of Justice in Kragujevac, Serbia. This visit provided an opportunity for participating judges and UNODC representatives to reflect on the valuable insights gained from the ECtHR and discuss firearms-related case law.

The delegation was warmly welcomed by the President of the Court of Appeals, who provided an overview of the facilities and courts operating within the Palace of Justice. The visit commenced with a review of the key takeaways from the ECtHR, where judges shared their experiences and discussed the profound impact of understanding European human rights jurisprudence on their national legal frameworks.

The highlight of the visit was an exchange on firearms case law. Judges engaged in an in-depth discussion about recent trends, challenges, and best practices in the adjudication of firearms-related cases. This session was particularly significant as it also focused on the ongoing drafting of the UNODC's 2nd Edition of the Firearms Case Law Collection. The judges' contributions were invaluable, offering practical insights and feedback that will contribute to the finalization of this important legal resource.

In conclusion, the visit to the Palace of Justice not only reinforced the lessons learned from the Strasbourg trip but also fostered an essential exchange of knowledge and expertise on firearms case law. This collaborative effort is expected to enhance the efficacy of legal practices related to firearms and contribute to the broader goal of improving judicial responses to firearms-related criminality.

This activity is implemented with financial support provided by Germany, the United Kingdom, Sweden, France, the Netherlands, and Norway through the Western Balkans SALW Control Roadmap Trust Fund and supported by the European Union