The expansion of the range of trainings for enhancing professional capacities of lawyers on international and national legal framework for protection against domestic violence, continued during February. Around 50 lawyers from Ferizaj region, licensed by Kosovo Bar Association (KBA) participated in the training conducted by EUKOJUST Long-term Expert on Public Legal Education / Domestic Violence and Marginalized Groups, Bardhë Krasniqi. In this regard, the number of lawyers trained for more competent representation of victims of domestic violence is increasing.
The training “The role of lawyers in representing victims of domestic violence”, held last year in other regions of Kosovo, also aims to develop the soft skills of lawyers to understand the dynamics of domestic violence situations. This training is also organized as part of the continuing legal education program under the umbrella of the Kosovo Chamber of Lawyers.
During the training, the need to implement human rights standards such as Istanbul Convention, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the European Convention on Human Rights and the use of judicial practice of the European Court of Human Rights, was discussed. Also, new standards foreseen in the new Criminal Procedure Code which started to be implemented few weeks ago.
The training raised the standard of practice for lawyers dealing with domestic violence cases, and those dealing with other general cases, by equipping them with the necessary tools to deal with domestic violence or to screen domestic abuse and to provide appropriate legal advice when domestic violence is identified as a problem.
The participants positively evaluated the training from which they benefited both professionally and from the trainer’s extensive experience, and they were all provided with certificates.
The training was organized within the specific objective of EUKOJUST project to strengthen access to justice for all citizens in Kosovo, especially in the field of domestic violence and vulnerable or marginalized groups. So far, the Project has trained about 310 lawyers in five Kosovo regions.
