Relationship between e-justice and rule of law the focus of ODIHR seminar in Belarus

International rule of law standards related to the use of e-justice mechanisms were the topic of a seminar organized on 4 October 2018 in Minsk for participants from across Belarus.

The seminar was organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) 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.  It was the third in a series of seminars on rule of law issues co-organized as part of the two-year, European Union-funded project “Promoting Democratization and Human Rights in Belarus”.

The training event involved 34 participants (20 women and 14 men), most of them economic court judges. They learned about the various ways in which digital information and communication technologies are being used in the administration of justice in various OSCE participating States, as well as the related international standards.

“There is a wide diversity of practice across the OSCE region when it comes to e-justice. It is important to ensure that e-justice mechanisms safeguard the rights to a fair trial and effective remedy, and that they protect and promote adequate access to justice for all,” said Ghenadie Barba, Chief of the Rule of Law Unit at ODIHR.

Snezhana Leshchanka, the Institute’s Deputy Director for Science and Methodology, said: “The seminar has provided IRCE trainees with deep knowledge in the field of e-justice within the framework of their qualification upgrading, which will contribute to the effectiveness of court practice in the country.”

“For the European Union, e-justice is a key element for effective justice and therefore crucial to safeguarding the rule of law,” said Berend de Groot, Head of Co-operation of the EU Delegation to Belarus, in his opening remarks.

In addition to the training of some 200 legal professionals during thematic seminars, the project’s rule of law activities will also include exchange visits on rule of law and other justice-related issues.