Democratic Party MP Anđela Vojinović said that it is necessary to introduce clear standards of accountability and implement thorough vetting in the judiciary.
"The case of Zurovac, who, despite violating supervision measures, remained without a sanction, and who soon afterwards violated public order and exhibited violent behavior towards foreign citizens, is clear evidence of a systemic failure and further confirmation of what we have been talking about for months. This is not about an individual, but about the way in which a part of the judiciary assesses risk and interprets its own measures. If violations of court decisions are not sanctioned more strictly and consistently, then the very purpose of those measures becomes meaningless. Court decisions must have authority - otherwise, the system sends a message of unprofessionalism, inconsistency and weakness," she said.
She said that the judiciary, which strives for independence and European standards, must not allow itself this practice, "because we see that not only the system suffers the consequences, but also the reputation of Montenegro."
"The very fact that most actors from the criminal milieu, including the aforementioned Zurovac and even the virtual Miloš Medenica, are publicly targeting the Police Directorate and its director, rather than the judges who make decisions in their cases, speaks louder and clearer than any statement - and precisely shows where they see opponents, and where there is room for weakness and manipulation," adds the Democratic MP.
She said that they therefore believe it is necessary to introduce clear standards of accountability and implement fundamental vetting in the judiciary, "modeled on the processes that have already begun in the security sector," because "the time when trust in institutions was built only on words is long gone."
"We are now required to consistently apply the law. It is time for the judiciary to show that it is ready to be a pillar of the rule of law, not its weak point," the statement reads.
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