Outreach strategy for the Constitutional Court of Serbia presented today by OSCE Mission to Serbia

BELGRADE, 20 November 2009 - An outreach strategy for the Constitutional Court of Serbia, drafted by the OSCE Mission to Serbia with the financial support of the German government, was presented and handed over to the Court today. 

The strategy recommends measures that the Court could take to improve its relations with the media and the public. As a part of the strategy, the OSCE has also provided a brochure with guidelines for Serbian citizens on how to file a constitutional appeal.

"The OSCE Mission to Serbia has supported the Court in developing an outreach strategy to increase public understanding of its mission, its decisions and in particular, its new role and responsibilities following the approval of Serbia's new Constitution," said the Acting Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia, Thomas Moore.

"The Constitutional Court is the national body that guarantees individuals' rights and serves as a check on the legislative and executive branches, and as such plays a key role in the protection of citizens' rights and freedoms."

Gregor Strojin, the author of the strategy, added: "The Constitutional Court is the court of last resort before the European Court of Human Rights, and it has the important responsibility of proving that Serbia protects the human rights of all who reside on its territory."