The process of electing Sućko Baković as the Protector of Human Rights and Freedoms is not problematic, but it is a method of consultation during re-election, according to the Association of Disabled Youth of Montenegro (UMHCG).
The executive director of UMHCG, Marina Vujačić, believes that Baković, by electing certain deputies last year, showed his readiness for the rule of law, which requires much more work in every area, as well as a proactive approach from the institution of the Protector.
"The act of re-election itself is not problematic, but society that has no more candidates for that position is, as well as the way of holding consultations during the re-election of candidate Baković," Vujacic told the MINA agency.
She believes that consultations during the election of people in such important positions must be open to the public and citizens, to a wider circle of people.
Vujačić assessed that, when it comes to the election of the Protector of Human Rights and Freedoms, the consultations should be carried out by the president of the state, and not by a state body whose work should be "controlled" by the institution of the Protector.
"The Institution of the Protector must be independent and use all the mechanisms at its disposal, and it is especially important that it is strengthened and freed from various types of influence," said Vujačić.
She said that the work of the institution of the Protector and its effectiveness also depends on his closest collaborators, capacity, readiness and will.
"But also an understanding of the concept of human rights, awareness of the human rights of certain groups, such as people with disabilities, LGBT, Roma and Egyptians, women, former or current users of psychoactive substances and the like, and specific knowledge about the forms of discrimination, as well as the most effective and dignified mechanisms of protection against it," said Vujacic.
According to her, the results of the work do not depend only on the people at the "top of the pyramid", but they have the mandate and the opportunity to choose their expert team.
"With the election of the deputy Siniša Bjeković, the institution itself and its reputation were strengthened, but concrete actions were taken according to the procedures and submitted initiatives," Vujaćič said, stating that if people in such institutions are not free and the system controls them, then the whole institution becomes meaningless.
She said that the activities and work of the institution of the Protector of Human Rights and Freedoms have intensified recently, and that certain results of the work are noticeable.
"Nevertheless, the capacities of the institution of the Protector need to be strengthened much more and the conditions must really be created for it to be completely independent, impartial and at full capacity, which is certainly difficult in a system where individuals are exposed to pressure and institutions are "captured" by political and often unprofessional personnel. Vujacic pointed out.
She recalled that the European Commission presented a series of positions related to the work of the Institution of the Protector, "but I would say, first of all, the position of this institution".
The European Commission, as Vujačić said, is what the UMHCG has repeatedly underlined, and this refers to the institution's capacities and the need to engage a larger number of people in accordance with systematization.
"It is especially important that the employees of the institution undergo adequate training and follow both European and international standards in this area," said Vujacic.
According to her, the institutions that deal with human rights and protection against discrimination in Montenegro do not yet have enough capacity, and often they do not have enough sensitivity and understanding of the concept of human rights.
"The Ministry for Human and Minority Rights is a concrete example of that," added Vujacic.
Bonus video:
