Trial monitoring in administrative courts topic of new ODIHR handbook

A new publication to aid legal professionals and civil society in trial monitoring was launched by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institution and Human Rights (ODIHR) at the Human Dimension Implementation Meeting in Warsaw on 2 October 2013.

The Handbook for Monitoring Administrative Justice, developed in co-operation with the Stockholm-based Folke Bernadotte Academy, provides an overview of the main fair trial standards and OSCE commitments relevant to hearings before administrative courts, as well as practical information to help establish and manage trial monitoring operations.

“The handbook can assist legal professionals in boosting transparency and accountability within public administration, by ensuring that judicial proceedings in administrative courts comply with international and regional fair trial standards,” said Thomas Vennen, Head of ODIHR’s Democratization Department.

“It is important to focus on and promote fair trial rights, not only in criminal courts but also in administrative courts, as people are much more likely to become involved in administrative disputes than in criminal proceedings,” said Ambassador Fredrik Löjdquist, Head of the Swedish Delegation to the OSCE.

The publication of the handbook continues ODIHR’s work in providing practical support to civil society in promoting judicial reform. It builds on the experience of ODIHR and OSCE field operations in conducting trial-monitoring programmes to help participating States implement the rule of law commitments they have made.