The USA and the United Kingdom recommended investigations into police torture in Montenegro

The Minister for Human and Minority Rights Fatmir Đeka, in the framework of the presentation of the National Report on the State of Human Rights, announced that Montenegro continued reforms in the judiciary, as well as strengthening the normative, institutional and strategic framework for respect for human rights.
As he pointed out, the fight against corruption continued, as did the strengthening of anti-corruption institutions.
Speaking about the problem of peer violence, Đeka said that the number of police officers monitoring events in schools is increasing. Also, work is being done on a set of new media laws.
Montenegro is currently working on a set of new media laws, including a media strategy, which will ensure greater freedom of expression and a safe environment for journalists - said Đeka.
On the international level, according to the minister, Montenegro fully supports the work of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
USA and UK recommended investigations into police torture in Montenegro
The United States of America (USA) welcomed the prosecution of those responsible for high-level corruption, as the critical importance of investigations into attacks on journalists, police torture and the protection of minority rights.
The United Kingdom (UK) welcomed the fight against organized crime, and recommended that independent investigations be conducted into police torture. In addition, they requested full protection for journalists.
Turkey, in a constructive spirit, proposed to provide access to justice for victims of torture and human trafficking, as well as to prevent discrimination against vulnerable groups, especially migrants.
Albania welcomed Montenegro's progress, especially the plan for the implementation of the Istanbul Convention and the strategy for gender equality. They point out that Montenegro needs to increase the participation of minority communities in the judiciary, along with increasing the number of women in the Parliament of Montenegro.
Vietnam pointed out the importance of fair access to the labor market. From Venezuela, they recommended punishments for all police officers who abuse their powers.
Uzbekistan recommended stronger measures against poverty in Montenegro. Uruguay proposed a stronger campaign against violence against women and girls. Argentina proposed investigations and punishments for cases of discrimination against minorities and vulnerable groups, adding that there should be a focus on investigations and punishments for those who committed war crimes.
Austria's recommendation is to strengthen efforts in the fight against corruption, as well as a larger campaign against hate speech. They advocated filling the vacant positions in the judiciary, as well as stopping any form of politicization of the judiciary.
The delegation of Australia pointed out the importance of measures to prevent the politicization of the judiciary.
Bahrain welcomes the activities of Montenegro in the fight against violence and human trafficking. They recommended strengthening the fight against all forms of discrimination, especially Islamophobia.
Belarus has expressed concern over the large amount of hate speech by certain religious and ethnic groups.
Belgium recommends more support for victims of sexual violence. In Belgium's opinion, police officers suspected of torture should be suspended during the procedure, that is, until all the circumstances are determined.
Canada proposes that Montenegro address the lack of results in investigations into attacks on journalists, and in this way strengthen media freedom and the safety of journalists. The Chinese delegation recommended strengthening measures to strengthen institutions and prevent hate speech.
Croatia: Conduct investigations into war crimes
Croatia proposes an investigation of war crimes, as well as compensation for all victims of human rights violations. They encouraged the Government of Montenegro to apply the legislative framework for the protection of minorities.
Costa Rica proposed strengthening the office of the Ombudsman, as well as measures for the full integration of Roma and Egyptians into society. They proposed the adoption of the Law on Social Protection of Children.
Cyprus proposed measures to strengthen media freedom and the safety of journalists.
Egypt welcomes Montenegro's efforts in strengthening human rights. They recommend continuing efforts in the field of combating human trafficking. Estonia recommends greater efforts to combat domestic violence, stressing that the perpetrators of attacks on journalists should be brought to justice.
Peru proposed effective sanctions for hate speech and discrimination, as well as improving access to justice for people in a vulnerable position, such as women and girls.
Jauković: Judicial reforms in progress
The representative of the Government, Momir Jauković, in response to the questions of the delegations of the UN member states, announced that reforms in the judiciary are underway, as well as that the amendments to the Law on State Prosecution in 2021 improved the work of the prosecution and the Prosecutor's Council, which led to the prevention of politicization and strengthening the fight against corruption. He also mentioned the bill regulating the issue of property acquired through crime.
We will continue to strengthen the personnel and institutional capacities of the prosecutor's office - pointed out Jauković.
Bandović: There is a proceeding for war crimes
Bojana Bandović from the Supreme Court announced that a trial in a case related to war accusations is ongoing nor a crime.
From 2018 to 2022, the courts handed down 62 final verdicts on lawsuits for compensation of damages - Bandović pointed out.
The Parliament of Montenegro expressed hope that the Committee for Electoral Reform will start working again.
Ivanović Đerić: Formed 28 criminal cases against 67 police officers
The representative of the Higher State Prosecutor's Office, Danka Ivanović Đerić, said that the prosecutor's office reacts urgently when it comes to cases of possible torture. As she said, from January 1, 2022 to March 1 this year, 28 criminal cases were filed against 67 police officers, and investigations into ten cases and investigations against eight persons are ongoing.
Penalties have been tightened, especially when it comes to officials. From October 1 last year to March 31 this year, the courts had 30 cases pending against 49 accused police officers due to possible abuse - stated Ivanović Đerić.
Drinčić: Case of Olivera Lakić classified as secret
The representative of the Ministry of Culture and Media, Đorđije Drinčić, said that state authorities have stepped up their efforts to find the attackers of journalists.
Drinčić pointed out that in the case of the murder of Duško Jovanović, several cases were formed in the prosecution, based on potentially new information. When it comes to the case of the attack on Olivera Lakić, that case has been declared secret, so the Commission for Monitoring Investigations of Attacks on Journalists has limited options in this matter.
He added that in terms of transparency, the Commission has opened a website where all acts and reports, as well as all necessary information, are located.
Germany has recommended tougher penalties for attacks on journalists. They expressed concern about the lack of progress in preventing violence against women. They propose investigations into cases of possible torture, and the provision of earlier recommendations of the Venice Commission and the Group of States for the Fight against Corruption (GREKO), which have not yet been implemented.
Georgia recommends greater rights for persons with disabilities (PWD).
The Gambia advocates for greater integration of minority communities into Montenegrin society.
Greece welcomes Montenegro's progress since the last cycle. They suggest more attention against violence against journalists as well as against violence against women.
India recommends strengthening the institutional framework for the protection of media rights as well as equal employment rights for Roma and Egyptians.
Indonesia proposes a strategy to combat discrimination against minority groups in education.
Iran is concerned about the condition of women in Montenegro. They recommend continuing to improve women's rights when it comes to effective health services, especially for victims of violence. They note that the perpetrators of human trafficking should be brought to justice.
Ireland advocated for the criminalization of all forms of marriage of persons who have not reached the age of 18, and Israel recommends equal representation of women in institutions as well as greater rights for members of the LGBTQ+ group.
Italy: Cases of torture to be investigated by an independent body
Italy recommends providing greater protection to victims of violence and reforming the justice sector. The Italian delegation proposed measures to strengthen the safety of journalists. They specifically cited cases of torture, which, they said, should be investigated by an independent body.
Jordan recommends raising awareness of human rights. Libya indicated that measures for the prevention of domestic violence should be applied.
Lithuania proposes to strengthen and promote a safer environment for journalists, as well as the implementation of programs for children who are victims of trafficking. They believe that the status of women in the private and public sector should be improved.
Luxembourg proposes greater measures to protect journalists.
Malaysia recommended that education be provided to public authorities, and that teams against violence against women be formed. The delegation of the Maldives proposes increased activities to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases.
The Netherlands recommends greater emphasis on the fight against homophobia, as well as legal aid for victims of gender-based violence. Nepal proposed measures to prevent discrimination and full integration of minorities.
Pakistan pointed to the need to respect all the rights of minorities and migrants. Paraguay commends the efforts of the national strategy for gender equality and recommends signing the international convention on the rights of migrants.
Portugal: Train police officers to prevent torture
Portugal proposes to provide training for police officers and representatives of the judiciary and the prosecution regarding the prevention of torture.
Government representatives announced that media literacy will be a subject during primary education, adding that the state is taking adequate measures to prevent any form of discrimination.
Russia has expressed concern over police torture of prisoners, stressing that everything possible should be done to put an end to it. The Serbian delegation recommends that a strategy against domestic violence should be developed, adding that it is important to prevent all forms of discrimination.
Slovakia welcomed Montenegro's efforts to protect and promote fundamental human rights and freedoms, recommending that it maintain va works on the safety of journalists. Slovenia encourages Montenegro to focus on the economic and political empowerment of women, as well as to ensure greater participation of women in political life, emphasizing the importance of judicial reform.
The delegation of Spain suggested that the issue of responsibility for war crimes in the 1990s should be addressed.
Đeka: Montenegro will actively continue to work on strengthening human rights and freedoms
The Minister of Human and Minority Rights, Fatmir Đeka, during the final address, announced that the Montenegrin delegation had received twenty questions from the UN member states. He thanked for the questions and the control and assessment procedure.
Montenegro will actively continue to work on strengthening human rights and freedoms through the promotion of universal rights and values. Cooperation with UN bodies is of key importance and I am convinced that through joint efforts we will improve Montenegrin society and establish a model of coexistence. Montenegro remains committed to international standards in this area - Đeka pointed out, among other things.
POBJEDA