Directorate General of Legal Affairs - DG I
In the legal field, the Council of Europe contributes to the harmonisation of Europe's legal systems on the basis of standards which are laid down within the Organisation. Its overall aim is to encourage the establishment and development of democratic institutions and procedures at national, regional and local level, and to promote respect for the principles of the rule of law. (more ...)				Upcoming events
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				Last up-date of this portal: 28/11/03 18:37
Council of Europe and OSCE publish report on Montenegrin trafficking case 28 November 2003, Strasbourg A report of independent experts appointed by the Secretaries General of the Council of Europe and OSCE to examine a recent human trafficking case in Montenegro, is now available on our website, along with a response from the Montenegrin Government. Press Release Report Government answer
Conventions - Recent signatures and ratifications 28 November 2003, Strasbourg
Croatia ratified the Convention for the protection of Human being with regard to the application of biology and medicine. Latvia signed the European Code of Social Security. Slovenia ratified the Convention on Cinematographic Co-Production.			Monaco ratified European Convention on Violence at Sports Events and the Anti-doping convention. Slovakia ratified the Agreement on the Exchanges of Blood-Grouping Reagents. Turkey ratified the Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals .
For further information on European Treaties: Archives: 2003 - 2002 European Treaties Website (including Database with search engine) Glossary on the Treaties
	Venice Commission UniDem Campus - Reform of civil service in Europe 24-28 November 2003, Trieste The seminar focuses on the role of public administrations in a democracy, the principles established in ethical codes for public officials, the availability of information in the public sector, as well as human resources management and methods to improve the performance of civil servants. Albania - Constitutional justice 26-28 November 2003, Tirana The Venice Commission is organising this Conference in co-operation with the Constitutional Court of Albania, on the occasion of the 5th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution. Venice Commission website
19th meeting of the Consultative Committee of the Convention for the Protection of Individuals with regard to Automatic Processing of Personal Data (T-PD) 26-28 November 2003, Strasbourg At this meeting, the Committee T-PD will examine a draft opinion on Regular bulk transfers of personal data to a third state not guaranteeing an adequate level of protection, its future working programme and a draft modification of its internal rules as well as the principal conclusions of the regional seminar on data protection on the "Challenges and problems faced by the newly-established data protection supervisory authorities" (Madrid, Spain, 12-13 December 2002). The Committee will also elect the Data Protection Commissioner of the Council of Europe. Draft Agenda "Data Protection" website 45th meeting of the Standing Committee of the European Convention for the protection of animals kept for farming purposes (T-AP) 25-27 November 2003, Strasbourg At this meeting, the Standing Committee of the European Convention for the protection of animals kept for farming purposes will examine, with a view to its adoption, the draft definition of "essential needs". It will also continue the elaboration of the draft recommendations concerning pigs, domestic rabbits and fish. More information			Symposium "Young people and democratic institutions: from disillusionment to participation" 27-29 November 2003, Strasbourg This event, organised by the European Youth Centre of the Council of Europe, will aim at a better understanding of the behaviour of young citizens vis-à-vis democratic institutions and at improving youth political participation. The Venice Commission is invited to intervene on the participation of young people in elections. Official site of the symposium 4th meeting of the Consultative Council of European Judges (CCJE) 24-28 November 2003, Strasbourg In particular, the following items appear on the agenda of this meeting : the European Conference of Judges on the theme of « Early settlement of disputes and the role of judges », examination and adoption of the draft opinion on initial and in-service training at European and national levels, exchange of views on various questions and in particular on the report concerning appointments to the European Court of Human Rights, on the proposed constitutional reforms affecting the judiciary in the United Kingdom and on the situation of the judiciary in Moldova. Draft agenda CCJE Website
		"Opinions, Attitudes and Images of Crime and its Control" 22nd Criminological Research Conference 24-26 November 2003, Strasbourg The 22nd Criminological Research Conference is set to provide a state-of-the-art résumé of what we know today about how public opinions, attitudes and images of crime and its control are constructed by influential groups. It will be attended by policy makers and researchers in Council of Europe member and observer states, who will examine four main themes: Crime, fear of crime and the operation of crime control in the light of the victim surveys and other empirical studies; the mass media and their influence on public perceptions of crime and its control; Government organisations (e.g. the police) and their influence on public perceptions of crime and its control; and NGOs (e.g. victim movements, crime prevention initiatives, mediation projects) and their influence on public perceptions of crime and its control." Conference file
		European Conference of Judges on the topic of "The Early Settlement of Disputes and the Role of Judges" 24-25 November 2003, Palais de l'Europe, Strasbourg The following issues will be discussed : procedures to avoid litigation and procedures to make it effective, including provisional measures protecting parties during litigation, protection of the parties' cases and evidence, time limits, accelerated and summary procedures and interlocutory judgments, legislative and judicial incentives to early resolution, alternative dispute resolution (ADR / mediation), case management - a proactive and innovative but impartial judiciary. Conference file