Presidents of courts discuss international standards for judicial administration at ODIHR seminar in Minsk

International rule of law standards related to the court management and independence of the judiciary were the topic of a training seminar organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) together with Belarusian judicial institutions on 13 September 2019 in Minsk.

The discussion focused on the role and powers of presidents of courts in judicial administration, case distribution procedures and the promotion of independence and impartiality of judges. The seminar concluded a series of capacity-building seminars on rule of law issues held as part of the two-year, European Union-funded project Promoting Democratization and Human Rights in Belarus.

The training event involved 30 participants (19 women and 11 men), most of them presidents of district and city courts from different parts of Belarus.

“The presidents of courts play an essential role in their effective administration, as well as in ensuring independent and impartial adjudication in line with fair trial standards and the principle of the rule of law,” said Ghenadie Barba, Chief of the Rule of Law Unit at ODIHR. “The main purpose of the seminar was to raise participants’ awareness in this area.”

The seminar was organized in co-operation with the Supreme Court of Belarus and the Institute for Re-training and Continuing Education of Judges and Personnel of Prosecutor’s Offices, Courts and Justice Institutions (IRCE) at the Belarusian State University.

“The practice of courts that have experience in competently organizing their work indicates that positive results are achieved when managers and staff have shared interests and consolidate their efforts, provided that effective monitoring is also carried out on a daily basis,” said Valery Kalinkovich, First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Court.

Berend de Groot, Minister Counsellor, Head of Co-operation of the Delegation of the European Union to Belarus, said: “Court management and judicial independence are of special interest to the European Union because those contribute directly to the democratic values on which the EU is founded. Effective court and independent judiciary play a key role in creating an investment-friendly environment, restoring confidence, providing greater regulatory predictability and sustainable growth.”

The series of seven rule of law seminars benefited a total of 212 legal professionals (107 women and 105 men) from across the country.The project’s activities will also include exchange visits on rule of law and other justice-related issues.