1. IDENTIFYING IMPROVEMENTS AND CHALLENGES IN THE BALKANS NEVENA VUCKOVIC SAHOVIC Fighting Torture and Ill treatment

2. Defining the Balkans The Balkans, often referred to as the Balkan Peninsula, although the two are not synonyms, is a geopolitical and cultural region of southeastern Europe. Partially overlaps with the SEE/CEE

3. The Map Croatia Bosnia and Herzegovina Serbia Montenegro Romania Bulgaria Albania Macedonia ----------- Greece Cyprus Turkey

4. The task Requires a thorough study Identifying sources of information  Legislation  CRC reporting  Other HR reporting  CoE - CPT  UNICEF  NHRIs: ENOC recent study  NGOs

5. More difficulties Lack of data and statistics in the countries Lack of relevant research on the country level Difficulty of application of tools which would enable a comparative research

6. Progress made: law reforms Constitutional reforms Legislative reforms

7. Progress made: organizational reforms Judiciary reforms - Juvenile courts Coordinating bodies NHRIs and their role in JJ Involvement of civil society in JJ Training and education

8. Challenges Lack of awareness Lack of political will Struggle with the rule of law Impunity Corruption Lack of data Lack of organized and coordinated monitoring Lack of infrastructure for rehabilitation and reintegration Poor protection of those below MACR Week mechanisms:  Need for on-going independent monitoring  Inefficient complaint mechanisms  Social services