A/HRC/12/15
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of candidates for judges and public prosecutors. An election of 19 judges and public prosecutors
from within the ranks of Academy graduates was published. Furthermore, continuous trainings
for judges, public prosecutors, attorneys, notaries are organized. Financing of the judiciary was
introduced in accordance with the Law on the Court Budget. For illustation, in 2008 the court
budget was increased by 11 per cent compared to 2007. The trust of the citizens in the judiciary
is on the rise and it is at the high level of 78 per cent, as illustrated by two surveys sponsored by
the United States Agency for International Development in 2008.
46.
Concerning the Anti-Discrimination Law (India, Canada, Slovenia, United Kingdom), in
March 2008 work on the preparation of a comprehensive draft law on protection against
discrimination commenced ,involving Government and non-governmental representatives. After
the initial text of the draft law was prepared, five public debates were organized for all parties
concerned. The text was also submitted to the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human
Rights and to the Venice Commission, as well as to the European Commission delegation in the
country. The Council for European Integration organized a hearing in Parliament in April 2009.
The drafting group is expected to finalize the draft soon and to submit it to the Government.
Sexual orientation will be included as grounds for protection against discrimination.
47.
Concerning trafficking in persons (Ukraine, France, Sweden), a National Commission
against Trafficking in Human Beings and Illegal Migration was formed in 2001. In 2004, a SubGroup for Fight against Trafficking in Children was formed. The Office of the National
Mechanism for Referral of Victims of Trafficking in Human Beings at the Ministry of Labor and
Social Policy has been functioning since September 2005. The National Commission prepared a
National Action Plan for Fight against Trafficking in Human Beings and Illegal Migration in the
country for the period 2006-2008. In January 2009, the preparation of a new national action plan
commenced. At present, the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy is drafting amendments to the
Law on Social Protection which envisage non-institutional protection of victims of trafficking in
human beings and establishment of a Centre for Victims of Trafficking in Human Beings. In
2007, the standard operating procedures for treatment of victims of trafficking in human beings
were endorsed by the Government. The procedures were introduced with the aim of providing
assistance and protection to all victims of trafficking in human beings through single
comprehensive approach based on the human rights of the victims.
48.
Concerning the reform of the penitentiary (juvenile facilities, degrading treatment of
prisoners and conditions in prisons) (Italy, Czech Republic, Denmark, Azerbejan, Switzerland,
Netherlands, Canada, Sweden ), the reforms of the penitentiary system comprise two
components: improvement of accommodation facilities and improved working conditions for
the staff as well as strengthening and upgrading of human resources. The main aim is respect and
full implementation of the law on execution of sanctions and prevention of any cruel or inhuman
treatment of sentenced and remand prisoners. Over the last two years, there have been significant
renovations of prison facilities , as well as building of new two penitentiary institutions in order
to improve conditions of stay and overcome overcrowding. A procedure is under way to secure a
loan of more than 25 million euros from the Council of Europe Development Bank, to build new
wards in the largest prison, as well as in other prisons. Construction of a new juvenile
educational and correctional facility is foreseen as well. The personnel was increased (213 new
staff were employed, health service improved significantly). Additional employments of 80 staff
are envisaged in 2009. In 2008 a programme for training and education of staff was adopted. In
2008, 88 disciplinary measures against prison staff were pronounced for overstepping their
authority.
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